Forecast: Biting Cold Continues, Snow Expected Saturday

It’s cold again this morning, as the arctic air is firmly entrenched across the region. However, there are some hopeful signs on the horizon.

Friday is going to be a cold and blustery day. Actual air temperatures are a few degrees less cold than Thursday. It is 6 degrees in Metro West compared to Thursday's 1 degree reading in the same location.

Overnight tonight will see an increase in clouds and very late at night — as milder air flows into the region — the temperature may actually rise a few degrees off the coldest point.

You have probably heard word that snow is in the forecast for Saturday. New England will spend much of the day with a southerly flow of air containing more moisture than our dry arctic air of late.

At the same time, a new push of cold will be heading south and east. As these air masses collide over the region, snow showers and even snow squalls will break out.

Snow is a possibility at any time between sunrise and 11 p.m. Saturday, but it is most likely to snow in the afternoon and early evening.

I am not expecting another Saturday surprise snow event for two reasons. First, I am putting snow in the forecast and secondly, the situation is totally different atmospherically compared to last weekend. That said, we could see a heavy coating of up to 2 inches of snow from this situation. This means roads can become very slippery and travel impeded in areas receiving the heavier squalls.

On Sunday, arctic air returns to the region as temperatures stay in the teens to near 20 degrees. Another system brings a few more snow showers Sunday night and early Monday. While Monday will be seasonably cold, the rest of next week stays well below average for late January.

Today: Sunny, with highs only 12-18. Wind chill values 10-15 below zero at times

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 13 in Boston, but single numbers north and west.

Saturday: Snow showers and perhaps a snow squall, especially in the afternoon, but possibly all day. Breezy and not cold. Highs 32-40, warmest over Cape Cod where rain showers could fall instead of snow.

Saturday Night: Snow showers end. Windy and turning colder. Lows 10-18.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with highs 17-22 and low wind chill readings. Gusty winds at times.

Sunday Night: Clouding up with a snow flurry by morning, lows in the lower teens.

Monday: A chance of snow showers in the morning. Not as cold, with highs in the 30s.

Follow updates from David Epstein on Twitter @growingwisdom.