Our coldest weather since January 2015 has fully infiltrated the state this morning with yesterday’s cold front now well offshore.  A strong surface high has set up over the southern plains and cold, arctic air will continue to filter south across the state through today and tonight keeping temperatures a good 20+ degrees below normal for late December. Thankfully, we’ll begin to warm up beginning tomorrow as the surface high begins to shift off to the east and warmer southerly winds return.  This coming Wednesday looks to be the warmest day of the week before another cold front arrives.  This next front does not look to be nearly as strong as yesterday’s though, so we will not be seeing the bone chilling arctic air we’re experiencing right now.  Chances for rain or wintry precip today and through most of the week ahead look slim to none which will ease the stress of holiday travel.

We will stay breezy today as northerly winds continue to feed additional arctic air across the region. Thankfully the the panhandle region will see some relief from the howling winds today.  The remainder of the state will stay breezy with wind chills continuing to be the main issue for today and again overnight. If you have to be out and about today, make sure you bundle up in layers and wear a hat, gloves and winter boots!  Also, be sure to check on outdoor pets and livestock to ensure they have adequate shelter and water to drink.  These types of radical changes in temperature are hard on both humans and animals as we’ve not had time to acclimate to the sudden drop in temperatures.  It’s also that time of the year when cold and flu germs spread more easily because we’re more cooped up than usual.  This is the “Mom” in me coming out… but I’ve been telling my kids for several weeks now to take their vitamins, wash their hands frequently and get adequate rest each night to help lessen the chance for getting sick over the holidays.