Bitterly cold and windy today despite plenty of sunshine! Sunny and not quite as harsh on Christmas Day! Dry next week with a slow moderation in temperatures!


Good morning everyone!

Skies are mostly clear early on this Saturday morning and temperatures are nearly 50 degrees colder than this time yesterday with early readings ranging from +4 in Clifton down to -4 at High Point. Strong gusty westerly winds gusting to 30-35 mph with wind chills around -15 to -20 degrees. The 4 degrees is not a record as we recorded 0 degrees both on this date in 1983 and 1989. Also the 4 degree reading here in Clifton is the coldest temperature since January 31st, 2019 when the reading was -1 degree.

CLIFTON’S ALMANAC FOR DECEMBER 24TH:

AVERAGE HIGH: 40 AVERAGE LOW: 23

RECORD HIGH: 71 – 2015 RECORD LOW: 0 – 1989 AND 1983

YESTERDAY’S HIGH: 56 LOW: 6 PRECIPITATION: 1.67″ SNOWFALL: TRACE.

We had a 50 degree difference between the high and low for yesterday and this was the largest on my record which goes back to 1973. What is more impressive is the 50 degree difference is also the largest departure for Central Park and their records go back to 1869. Also major coastal flooding occurred at the Jersey shore and some areas had their worst flooding since Superstorm Sandy.

The storm that caused the precipitation and then the Arctic air is now located north of the Great Lakes and will produce a strong westerly flow of bitterly cold air today. Despite plenty of sunshine, highs will mainly stay in the teens and with gusts to 30-35 mph will keep wind chills below zero all day.

Christmas Day will not be as harsh as the storm will move further to the north over Quebec and we should have a little less wind and not as cold temperatures. Lows tomorrow morning will be around 12 while highs will be in the upper 20s, still well below normal.

An extended period of dry weather next week and high temperatures will rise about five degrees each day and should be in the 50s by Friday with the mild weather continuing over the New Year’s holiday weekend.

THE FORECAST:

TODAY – DEC 24 – Mostly sunny, windy and bitterly cold, highs only in the upper teens, winds gusting to 30 mph will keep wind chill values below zero.

TONIGHT – Mostly clear, low 12.

CHRISTMAS DAY – DEC 25 – Sunny and breezy, high in the upper 20s, wind gusts to 25 mph.

MONDAY – DEC 26 – Mostly sunny, high in the low 30s.

TUESDAY – DEC 27 – Partly sunny, high in the upper 30s.

WEDNESDAY – DEC 28 – Mostly sunny, high in the low 40s.

THURSDAY – DEC 29 – Partly sunny, high in the upper 40s.

FRIDAY – DEC 30 – Mostly sunny, high in the low 50s.

MARINE FORECAST: A small craft advisory is in effect for west-southwest winds to 30 knots, seas around 6 feet. Freezing spray advisory has also been issued.

OUTLOOK: Small craft advisories expected to continue on Sunday with some freezing spray; no advisories expected Monday through Wednesday.

Have a nice holiday weekend and please stay warm and safe!

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