Medium range update

Today, I just want to have a quick update with the weather.  Today through Tomorrow, I'm expecting scattered rain or snow showers.  Today's highs will be in the lower 40's.  It's really uncertain what will happen tomorrow, as the GEM and GFS are both predicting snow, with some rain mixing in.  Current indications are that models may be too cold with this system, which would mean an all rain event for the area tomorrow.  Precipitation amounts will be in the range of 0.25 to 0.6 inches tomorrow, along with some gusty winds.  By this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, a major storm system will form in Canada, bringing very strong winds to the area.  The one thing about this system that's different from many other storm systems over the last several months is that it will not bring much precipitation to the area, if the GFS forecast were to hold to true.  Instead of just a slight cool down after the storm moves through, a rather robust and strong arctic front will sweep southward out of Canada, dropping temperatures from the lower 40's early Sunday morning, to the lower and mid 20's by nightfall, along with some snow.  Temperatures will continue dropping throughout the night, possibly into the mid or upper teens, causing dangerous wind chills.  After the arctic front moves through, temperatures will remain very cold for several days before moderation begins once again.  By Monday, a major lake effect is expected to be underway, the first lake effect event of the season.  This could bring several snow bands as far south as Northwest Ohio and Indiana, possibly causing some travel disruptions.  This arctic front may be a sign of things to come, as long-range guidance indicates that by mid-January, a major and possibly record-breaking arctic outbreak may invade the United States, bringing temperatures that will be well below normal.  This arctic outbreak in mid January may be the pattern change that we have been waiting for.  Some models are even indicating that this arctic outbreak next week will be the pattern breaker.