Monday Update: Big Blizzard Hits Midwest, Rain to Ice to Bitter Cold for Northeast by Sat

Good morning. Over the last several days a lot has changed with the weather. What originally looked like it could be a big east coast storm for later this week has trended west into a mid-west blizzard for Thursday and Friday. Our region will be on the warm side of this storm which means rain on Friday followed by high winds and very bitter cold temps by Christmas Eve morning as an arctic front crashes in on the backend of this storm. Snow is also not out of the cards on the backend of this storm early Saturday morning. 

Lets take a look...

All models now have a big storm projected for Midwest Thursday and Friday..

As you can see above an intense blizzard heads towards Chicago with high winds and heavy snowfall rates. To the east notice the sweeping rains that come into our area on late Thursday night into Friday.

Here's where this still does get interesting. There is true arctic air on the back of this storm. I am talking about sub zero to single digit temperatures. That air crashes towards the east coast on Friday night...

As this arctic front moves in winds are really going to pick up...

Be prepared for this on Friday night. We may see some power outages.

If the orientation of this storm and the arrival of the cold air are in the right alignment. We can see backend snow with this system. To early to pinpoint where, but the threat is there for a wintery end to this storm by Saturday morning...

Bitter cold temps follow for Christmas eve and Day. Bundle up!

Stay tuned.