Gino Recchia NBC26 Storm Shield Weather Forecast

It is a cold start to the first day of meteorological spring but it will get better later as high temperatures get up into the mid 20s. March does come with on average 8 inches of snow and we are kicking off the first day of the month with some of that. A mix of sun and clouds this morning will rapidly turn to overcast by the afternoon hours with snowfall beginning to fly shortly afterwords. It appears the start time will be around and after 4pm with the western counties seeing the first flakes and the lakeside areas getting it last. Light to occasionally moderate snow will last for about 8-12 hours. Snow showers will come to an end after 2-3 am with total snowfall accumulations between one and three inches. A few localized areas could pick up slightly higher totals. Skies will clear during the day Saturday with high temperatures up in the upper 20s with light winds out of the north. A very strong arctic high pressure then sweeps in Saturday night with temperatures on Sunday down into the mid teens. Monday will be even colder with highs in the single digits and morning lows well below zero. We will see a gradual response upwards as highs get back into the upper teens by Thursday. Long range temperature trends are calling for the return of 30s by the middle of the month. Perhaps a sign of spring weather afterall?