Clipper systems keep the winds stirred

The raucous winds earlier this week finally calmed down yesterday afternoon. However, a couple of Alberta Clippers will re-stir the breezes today - Wednesday - and again on Thursday. Today's system is relatively weak and dry, creating only a slight bump in cloud cover. This forecast model graphic shows the "wrinkle" in the air flow at roughly 20,000 ft overhead at 7 o'clock this morning:

Thursday's system will be a bit larger and more vigorous as shown on this forecast graphic at 7 a.m. tomorrow:

Clipper #2 may foster snow showers across northern Virginia, but neither system will bring precipitation to Mecklenburg County. Surface winds will pick up out of the west both days behind these systems, gusting up to 20 mph at times locally.

As for temperatures, both today and Thursday will feature afternoon highs in the upper 40s. For those taking part in New Year's Eve revelry, local thermometers will dip into the upper 30s by midnight Wednesday. At that point skies will be partly cloudy with winds out of the southwest at 5-8 mph, so ringing in 2026 outdoors will be cool but not frigid.

Happy New Year!