Snow Expected to Stay North of Polk During Wintry Blast

Rain and cold weather are in the forecast this week for central Florida, but snow, happily, is expected to stay out of the local weather scene.

Courtesy NOAA

A polar air mass will sprawl across the central US this week, pushing a series of wet fronts across central Florida. The forecast maps show a band of rain that will drape across our state in a pattern that will be repeated at least three times.,

Flurries, along with freezing rain and sleet, are strong possibilities for areas to the north of the Ridge, especially along the Interstate 10 corridor in north Florida as the Polar Vortex continues to pump frigid air southward over North America.

Rain will be welcomed by most across the local area, although the raw conditions and bitter cold will not. Several waves of rain and drizzle, including the potential for thunderstorms, will impact the Sunshine State this week as a series of upper-level disturbances ride along the polar jet stream, which will push southward to the Gulf coast. The resulting disturbed weather could result in over an inch of rain locally.

A second jet stream, coming from the tropical Pacific, will inject the moisture that should allow Florida to get the much-needed rain. Temperatures are expected to hover above freezing locally, but wind-chills will be reading in the 20's on at least two mornings, according to forecasters.

Residents are reminded to move or cover sensitive tropical plants and bring pets indoors or to sheltered locations.