Jim Nichols Weather Blog

Goodbye mild 2007 hello chilly 2008. That is, of course, being totally short-sided...but a look at the 7 day would have you believe it. A quick punch of precipitation is expected to arrive late tonight and last through the early morning. Once again we find ourselves in the great "precipitation type" debate. The evidence is there to support a wintry mix to start and last for the beginning of the Mummers parade. We'll see a few flakes mix in until about lunchtime when plain-old rain should end the storm out. To be honest, I am not 100% sold on the wintry mix for the Philadelphia metro. The models have been inconsistent in handling the warm air (like we saw New Years Eve) and have been biased cold. Because of that, confidence is lacking that the cold air will be here waiting when the storm arrives. Also I think a quick shot of air from the south and southeast will hamper a wintry scenario. With all that said, however, I am electing to keep the "wintry mix" wording in the morning forecast for now. I am confident that it won’t be too pretty when the mummers start up, but at least the weather will be improving as the day goes on.

Now, at the risk of piling on move issues...winds may be a problem. Winds are expected to get very gusty as some of the coldest air we've felt in a long time starts to arrive Wednesday and Thursday. Wind Chills are going to be nasty on the 2nd and 3rd...not a very welcoming start to 2008. But, don't get too upset! Temperatures are expected to bounce back rather quickly by the weekend, with 50s a real possibility by Sunday and Monday. It looks like the wild winter ride we're on for temperatures won't end with a simple change on the calendar.

So, for all the snow lovers out there...if I could make a new year's resolution to predict more snow...I'd do it. But merely predicting snow won't actually make it arrive! We'll keep the resolutions simple...working out, staying fit, blah blah blah. I am thinking about making a few resolutions I know I can keep. So I plan to watch more TV, gain a few more pounds (let's face it, I need to) and not win the lottery. Those are all more realistic resolutions I know I can keep! What are yours?

Here's to wishing all of you a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2008 and beyond.

-Jim