40 degrees? It's been awhile...quite awhile.

The last time we were above 40 degrees here in the Akron area was New Years Day.  Well, we did it today! The thermometer here at the Weather Center hit 40 degrees late this morning.  Unfortunately, yesterday when we hit the mid 30s it didn't feel quite so warm because of the wind chill.  The stiff northerly breeze we had was knocking 10-12 degrees off the "feels like" temperature. It's still going to be breezy the next few days, but it will also be a bit warmer so, it's sort of a trade-off.

The really good news will arrive on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday when we hit daytime highs in the 40s and even the 50s. By Friday afternoon (probably well before that) you can say good-bye to the snow cover, except for those "snowbergs" at the edges of parking lots and driveways.


The two maps below show snow cover across the Northeast U.S.  The top map shows how much snow is on the ground this morning (Sunday). The bottom map shows the forecast snow cover for Wednesday afternoon.  Note that by Wednesday most of the snow in southern and central Ohio will be gone with only an inch or so on the ground in the northeast. Getting rid of the snow to the south will help our temperatures warmup since the mild air coming up will not have to blow over an icy cold snow pack and thus cool down on its way northward.


Now, before you get too excited, let me note that another surge of cold air is set to arrive next weekend, but at least daytime highs will still be a bit above freezing...probably mid to upper 30s.  

Sunday morning snow cover

Forecast snow cover for Wednesday afternoon