The polar vortex is back. This will be the coldest air we will see this year. This cold air is really going to impact us in two major ways, heavy lake effect snow on the south shore and brutal wind chills. First, moderate to heavy lake-effect snow along the south shore begins tonight and lasts through Friday morning. The heaviest will likely be Wednesday into Thursday. Some areas may see a 12-18” through Friday morning toward Ironwood, MI.

Increased amounts are likely due to the amount of cold air spilling into the region. The cold will likely result in light and fluffy snow. Northwest winds gusting to 20-30 mph Wednesday and Wednesday evening will lead to blowing snow and low visibilities too. Secondly, an arctic blast of cold air brings wind chills as low as -20 to near -40 early Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Warmer weather returns for the weekend.

TONIGHT
Snow showers likely tonight with a low around 2. Blustery, with a northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
WEDNESDAY
Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 1 by 5pm. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
THURSDAY
Sunny and cold, with a high near 2. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
FRIDAY
Mostly sunny, with a high near 12. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
SATURDAY
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
SUNDAY
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
MONDAY
A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
TUESDAY
Partly sunny, with a high near 24. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.