Forecast: Coldest Days Of Fall Season So Far To Happen Today, Tuesday

A cold rain ended as some wet snow earlier this morning in some areas. Skies will begin to clear later today, but sunshine won't make the air feel warm.

If you weren’t aware, the Midwest has seen some mid-winter like cold this weekend, along with record snow. This cold air mass has become less extreme and is now in place here in southern New England.

Today and Tuesday will be the coolest pair of days so far this fall season. The ground will likely freeze tonight, and I expect it will remain frozen before thawing Wednesday morning.

This time of year, it takes a while for the ground to freeze. Usually, the ground will freeze to a very shallow depth during the night and then thaw in the day. As the temperatures become colder and colder, the thaw takes longer to happen, of course. Then finally, sometime in December, the ground typically freezes more permanently for the winter.

This isn’t to say there can’t be periods when we do end up with a muddy week in winter. I think this year that is more likely. Last year, once the ground froze in late December, it remained that way until late March.

As high pressure continues to be the dominant player in our weather this week it will move to the east and then allow a return flow of warmer air. This means the cold 40 degree days of today and Tuesday will be replaced by the milder mid-40s for Wednesday and 50s Thursday and Friday. Each of these days also looks dry with an abundance of sunshine.

The map below shows highs later this afternoon.

Today: Sunny, blustery and cold. Highs 37-42.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low 20-28.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 40.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday (Thanksgiving Day): Partly sunny, with a high in the lower 50s.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high 55-59.

You can follow David’s weather updates on Twitter at @growingwisdom.