New Winter Outlook Issued For CT: Here's When The Worst Is Coming

We've entered January, which typically means bone-chilling temperatures, whipping winds, and chances for snow. So will that be the case this month?

The Weather Channel has recently released an updated seasonal forecast for winter 2019, saying while January might be average to even mild, don't expect the whole winter to be forgiving.

Temperatures in January are largely expected to be about average, with the end of the month ushering in some below-average cold. (The average daytime temperature in Connecticut for January is in the mid to upper 30s. The average nighttime temperature is in the teens to low 20s.)

In the early part of this month, we could even be in for some daytime temperatures in the 50s, AccuWeather predicts. A high of 56 was recorded for the state on Jan. 1.

There won't be a ton of snow chances over the next couple of weeks in Connecticut but there is a chance for snow next week, late Monday and or early Tuesday, according to NBC Connecticut Chief Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan.

The Weather Channel says there is a 50 percent chance of snow on Saturday, Jan. 12 and Sunday, Jan. 13 and possibly more snow on Jan. 15, 16.

While the beginning of January doesn't look overly winter we don't expect to get off easy for the whole season. Temperatures are expected to drop towards the end of the month, ushering in a much colder February, forecasters predict.

February will likely be the coldest month of the winter, when temperatures will likely be "well below average," The Weather Channel says.

"Everything is still on track for a notably cold, stormy late-winter period in the eastern and southern U.S., especially in February," Todd Crawford, The Weather Channel's chief meteorologist Crawford, said in a news release.

March is expected to be a bit milder in the Northeast after the frigid February, with temperatures near average or slightly warmer than average.

"It currently appears as if the El Nino event will not decay significantly heading into spring, which should favor the continuation of cooler-than-normal temperatures across much of the southern and eastern U.S. into at least May," Crawford said in the news release.

See also: Local Cop Arrested On Child Porn Charge: Police

Man Caught Stealing Stop Sign After Social Media Post: Police

Firefighters Free Woman from Jewelry

For now, here's your short-term local forecast:

Thursday
A 40 percent chance of snow before 10am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 43. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 24. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 46. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Light and variable wind.

Saturday
Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Monday Night
A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Tuesday
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night
A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37.

Image via Shutterstock. Written by Patch Editor Kara Seymour.