This could well be the coldest week of the winter

This past weekend's winter storm had plenty of Gulf and Atlantic moisture to work with. This graphic shows the snowfall totals across the lower 48 states through 7 o'clock Sunday evening: 

Local snow totals were minimized as sleet took precedence, thanks to an above-freezing air layer sneaking in over top the dense Arctic air at the surface. That frigid air isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Today - Monday - temperatures will only range from morning lows in the upper 20s to afternoon highs in the mid-30s. Arctic air will continue to pour into Mecklenburg County today via westerly winds gusting up to 20 mph. Wind chills will make it feel about ten degrees below the air temperatures, so kids (and adults!) heading out to play in the snow and sleet will need layers of clothing. 

Those local thermometer readings will nosedive into the single digits by dawn Tuesday. Thus, the region is under a Cold Weather Advisory from 9 p.m. tonight until 10 a.m. tomorrow. Sunny skies will provide a false hope of warmer conditions as chilly breezes continue. Forecast high temperatures in the mid-30s Tuesday afternoon may be optimistic given the wintry ground cover.

An additional blast of Arctic air will follow behind another cold front midweek. Keep that cold weather gear handy, and check on neighbors periodically.