Pretty average day for this time of year yesterday with the high and the low just one degree above average. We hit a high of 65 after a low of 40. A little warmer this afternoon as we anticipate the arrival of some cold air tomorrow. The cold front should arrive just after the Winter Solstice at 7:28 a.m. and continue to blow through during the day as a storm tracks along the Arizona/Utah border. Highs only in the mid 50s and it will feel colder with NW breezes 10-15 mph and gusty. Winds relax tomorrow night and the cold dry air will allow any remaining “heat” to radiate into space (echo: space space space…). Temperatures will fall like something dropped from a high place (perhaps like a rock, for example). A HARD FREEZE WATCH is in effect for Thursday night/Friday morning so be ready to watch a hard freeze. Lows should be in the mid to upper 20s to start the day Friday. Brrrrrr. A cool day again on Friday with a high in the mid 50s and another freezing morning to start the day Saturday. High pressure starts to move back in this weekend with warming temperatures. Sunny Saturday and Sunday mid 60s. Upper 60s Christmas Day. Near 70 Tuesday.

It’s fixin’ to get cold! But, first things first. Our storm has moved on. It was nice while it lasted, but time changes things. Sometimes saying good bye to one storm means having room in our lives for the next. Not sorry for what we lost but happy that it happened! The next storm is due to arrive in the Four Corners from British Columbia by Thursday. Too far north to bring us rain or snow, but it will bring the cold. Today’s high right at average for this time of year at 64. Tomorrow a bit warmer perhaps as high as 70ish. Then it’s a NW breeze that blows and cold air spills into the state. Mid 50s Thursday and Friday with a couple of cold nights. Upper 20s Friday morning and around freezing to start the day Saturday. Maybe think about letting the teenagers sleep inside? Warming up some this weekend with mid 60s Saturday and near 60 Sunday. Sunny low 60s for Christmas Day.

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through the house. The heater was running to keep warm the spouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care to keep them warm and dry because of the anticipated cold air. Yesterday was fun like my days growing up in Oregon. The end of this week looks even colder with each computer model run. It probably won’t snow or even rain, but Santa knows what he is doing from the mountains to the plains. Winter is here southern Arizona style. Prepare your parkas and your firewood pile. A brief warm up the middle of this week, but colder by Friday making happy weather geeks! So keep the parka handy and the hand warmers too. The coldest air of the season is coming for you!

Yesterday was fun! Almost half inch of rain at the airport (.48″) and hopefully at your house. A little less here in southern Oro Valley, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Clearing skies today but on the cool side with a high near 60ish.

Clear and coldish tonight with a low in the upper 30s.

Sunny tomorrow mid 60s. Near 70 Wednesday. Upper 50s Thursday. Mid 50s Friday. Low 60s Saturday. Upper 50s Sunday. Friday morning’s low in the upper 20s!