Dr. Nick’s Weather Story-January 22, 2025

**FirstWARN Daily Forecast: January 22, 2025 – January 29, 2025**

**Today (Wednesday, January 22, 2025):**
The bitterly cold air of recent days has finally moderated as southerly winds continue to strengthen this morning. These winds, along with increasing midlevel clouds, have allowed temperatures to climb significantly overnight. Highs today are expected to reach the 30s across much of the region. However, thick midlevel clouds this morning will act as a cap for warming, particularly in northern areas, while southeastern Missouri and southwest Illinois may enjoy more afternoon sunshine.

A midlevel disturbance moving across Iowa this morning has triggered some light snow to the north, with just a few flurries possible in northeast Missouri. Later this evening, a cold front will push into the region, bringing a chance of light snow or flurries, mainly in northeast Missouri and west-central Illinois. Snowfall accumulations, if any, will be minimal, ranging from a dusting to a possible half inch. As the front progresses, the drier and cooler air behind it will keep temperatures in check overnight, with lows dropping into the teens and low 20s.

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**Thursday, January 23, 2025:**
The cold front will fully clear the region by early morning, ushering in colder air once again. Highs will struggle to rise above the freezing mark, ranging from near 20°F in northern counties to the low 30s in southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois. Northwest winds will reinforce the chill, and skies will clear by the afternoon as high pressure begins to build in from the west.

Overnight, surface ridging will settle over Missouri, creating ideal conditions for radiational cooling. Light winds and clear skies will allow temperatures to drop into the single digits in most areas. This will be one of the coldest nights of the week.

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**Friday, January 24, 2025:**
Friday will remain cold as high pressure lingers over the region. Morning lows in the single digits will give way to highs in the mid-20s to low 30s under mostly sunny skies. Winds will remain light, and conditions will stay dry. Despite the chill, the day will feel relatively calm compared to earlier in the week.

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**Saturday, January 25, 2025:**
A brief warm-up will begin on Saturday as southerly winds return ahead of an approaching cold front. Highs will climb into the 40s across much of the area, with some locations in southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois potentially reaching 50°F. Skies will be partly cloudy, and conditions will remain dry.

The cold front is expected to pass through late Saturday into early Sunday, but recent trends in model guidance suggest that any precipitation associated with the front will stay well to the south. While a slight chance of rain or snow remains in southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois, it appears increasingly likely that the weekend will remain dry.

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**Sunday, January 26, 2025:**
Cooler air will return behind the front, but the drop in temperatures will be less dramatic than earlier in the week. Highs will range from the upper 20s to mid-30s, with lows Sunday night falling into the teens. Skies will remain partly to mostly cloudy, but conditions will stay dry.

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**Monday, January 27, 2025:**
High pressure will once again dominate, bringing clear skies and chilly conditions. Morning lows will be in the teens, and highs will range from the upper 20s to low 30s. Winds will remain light, and the day will be quiet and dry.

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**Tuesday, January 28, 2025:**
A gradual warming trend will begin as the high-pressure system shifts eastward. Southerly winds will develop, pushing highs into the mid-to-upper 30s. Clouds will increase late in the day as the next weather system approaches, but precipitation chances remain low for now.

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**Key Takeaways:**
- Today brings a warming trend, but highs will remain below freezing for Thursday and Friday.
- A brief warm-up is expected Saturday, with highs reaching the 40s and 50s in some areas.
- The weekend looks mainly dry, with a slight chance of rain or snow in southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois Saturday night.
- Colder air returns behind the front Sunday into early next week, but without the severe cold of recent days.

Stay tuned to FirstWARN for updates as conditions evolve!