Rain wraps up Tuesday as colder air approaches
A Damp, Mild Tuesday Across the Region
Most of us woke up to rain Tuesday, and it stuck around for much of the day as a broad plume of moisture moved through the region. Afternoon highs climbed into the low 60s, making it feel fairly mild despite the dreary conditions.
The heaviest rain ended by midday, but isolated light showers and patches of drizzle could continue into the evening. This lingering moisture sits ahead of a strong cold front now racing eastward toward the Ohio Valley.
Tuesday Night: Cold Front Brings Gusty Winds and Clearing Skies
As the front pushes through overnight, winds will shift from the southwest to the west and begin gusting 25–30 mph. Behind the front, skies clear quickly and temperatures fall just as fast.
Overnight lows drop into the mid 30s to mid 40s depending on location. Dew points will fall sharply as drier air sweeps in, marking the beginning of a much colder pattern for the remainder of the week.
Wednesday: Cooler Air Takes Over Before a Thanksgiving Chill
Some leftover light showers or drizzle may linger into early Wednesday morning. Once the front fully passes, temperatures reach their highs early in the day—generally upper 40s to low 50s—but fall steadily through the afternoon as cold air pours in behind the system.
A stacked low-pressure system over the Great Lakes strengthens the pressure gradient, causing west winds to gust 30–35 mph. Low clouds will redevelop over the northern two-thirds of the area as cooler air and moisture sweep back in.
Thanksgiving: Sunny, Dry… and Very Cold
Thanksgiving morning starts off downright frigid with lows in the low 20s, and some sheltered spots may slip even lower. If you’re running a Turkey Trot, expect a bitter, breezy start.
Despite sunny skies, highs only reach the upper 30s to low 40s. Winds will ease compared to Wednesday, but the cold air sticks around. Thanksgiving night will be just as chilly, with lows dropping back into the low 20s.
Black Friday: More Cold, More Sunshine
Friday morning begins in the upper teens to mid 20s, the coldest start of the week for many areas. Sunshine stays with us through Friday, but highs only climb into the mid 30s to low 40s.
The calm winds and clear skies Friday night will allow for efficient radiational cooling, setting up another very cold start to Saturday.
Watching the Weekend: Next System Approaches
A new storm system takes shape over the southern Plains Saturday and lifts northeast toward the Great Lakes by Saturday night. Temperatures warm into the 40s Saturday ahead of the system. Rain looks likely late Saturday into Sunday. Model guidance has improved, and for now, the system appears warm enough for all rain, but colder air arrives behind the front Sunday night. Overnight lows Sunday could fall below freezing once more.
We’ll continue refining timing and precipitation details over the next few days as confidence increases.
ABC 36 Weather Team – 36-Hour Forecast
Tuesday Night: Cold front moving through. Breezy with clearing skies. A few lingering sprinkles early. Lows mid 30s to mid 40s.
Wednesday: Clouds returning at times, windy, and cooler. Morning drizzle possible, then temperatures falling during the afternoon. Highs upper 40s to low 50s.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear and much colder. Lows low to mid 20s.
