BLOG: Hello Winter!

Not only has snow been flying this afternoon, but the winds are bringing in our coldest air of the season. A strong band of snow showers is moving across northeastern Maryland this evening (between 5 & 6 p.m.). It will cross the Eastern Shore in the next hour or so. Another few bands of flurries and snow showers coming out of PA will cross through Maryland before that part of the storm settles down (other than in western Maryland where the western slopes will get a few more inches). Then, the next part ramps up - the wind and cold.

As the strong band of snow showers passes through, it is really increasing the wind. Sustained winds are increasing to 15-25 mph with gusts over 40 mph. The high winds will continue through the night. A wind advisory is in effect until 7 a.m. And even if we drop below wind advisory criteria Sunday, it's still going to be windy.

Those winds are bringing in a blast of Arctic air. Temperatures are dropping into the teens overnight, while the wind chill will be in the single digits - or even lower out west. We will only recover to around freezing Sunday, with the wind chill making it feel like it's in the 20s. The Arctic air will not last long as we bounce back to the low 40s for Monday and Tuesday, but still below the average of 44 degrees. Warmer air will move our way for mid-week, as a new storm brings a more Pacific air mass our way.

Clouds will come in Tuesday with the next storm. There could be some rain to snow showers with it before it gets out of here Wednesday morning. Another storm will follow Thursday night into Friday. Again, there could be some mixed rain and snow showers with that one, too.

Bundle up out there tonight!