Cold blast from north to send temperatures plunging this weekend

Don’t let that spring-like warmth on Tuesday fool you.

The Columbus area is about to experience a cold blast that will usher in below-freezing lows this weekend, with the much chillier air generally lingering for several days.

First, however, local residents can expect some raw and rainy days this week, with a jet stream from the northern U.S. funneling significantly cooler air from Canada into the Southeastern U.S. through a mass of warmer air influenced by the Gulf of Mexico.

After a round of heavy rain with possible thunderstorms Tuesday evening, the National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of rain between 40 percent and 60 percent through Friday. Highs will range from 52 degrees on Wednesday to 46 on Friday, with overnight lows on Friday falling to 30. Some outlying areas of Columbus could see lows Friday night in the upper 20s.

“Much colder air is expected to impact the forecast area Wednesday through Monday,” the weather service office in Peachtree City, Ga., said in a hazardous weather outlook Tuesday. It noted there is a “slight chance of light snow” into Saturday overnight, particularly farther north in Georgia, although no snow accumulations are anticipated.

The forecast for Columbus Saturday and Sunday is sunny with a high of about 50 degrees both days and overnight lows each day, respectively, of 29 and 30. The high on Tuesday is forecast to be 61 amid mostly sunny skies.

The historical average high for December in Columbus is 59 degrees, with 39 degrees the average low. The average precipitation for the area is 4.27 inches.

This story was originally published December 5, 2017 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Cold blast from north to send temperatures plunging this weekend."