Hello, forecast friends. We are taking our forecast express to the upper Mississippi Valley for our first forecast in December.

At 1053AM, CT LaCrosse was reporting a temperature of 22 degrees with mostly cloudy skies. There was a sharp trough angled to the southwest that divided the country in half. The ferocity of the trough was leading to overcast through the region, and a little bit of light snow throughout the north central US, however the severe angle it is taking towards the Four Corners is preventing the feature from bringing much moisture to the region. There will probably be a few flakes around LaCrosse this afternoon, but the real story is the cold high pressure behind the boundary.
The tilt of the trough aloft will make it disinclined to move off its spot. The high pressure at the surface, therefore, will be similarly rooted to its location. With the ridge holding firm, the cold air associated with it will remain in place as well. Unfortunately, this time of year, sunshine can only do so much, and despite mostly sunny skies, it will remain fairly chilly through the middle of the week.
Tomorrow – Some early flakes, then dropping temperatures, High 28, Low 3
Thursday – Clear and cold, High 15, Low -4

TWC: Tomorrow – Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible.  High 29, Low 7
Thursday -Mostly sunny skies.  High 16, Low -3

AW: Tomorrow – A morning flurry; otherwise, mostly cloudy, breezy and chilly, High28, Low 1
Thursday – A morning flurry; otherwise, mostly cloudy, breezy and chilly, High 13, Low -12

NWS: Tomorrow – A slight chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of flurries between 10am and noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing High 26, Low 4
Thursday – Sunny, High 13, Low -6

WB: Tomorrow – Mostly cloudy with a chance of flurries in the morning then mostly sunny in the afternoon High 28, Low 9
Thursday – Mostly sunny. High 13, Low 4

WN: Tomorrow – Partly cloudy with light snow showers, High 27, Low 4
Thursday – Mostly sunny, High 13, Low -6

CLI: Tomorrow – Overcast, High 27, Low 4
Thursday – Sunny, High 15, Low -1

Here is a look at the afternoon satellite picture, with a few clouds smothering Wisconsin, thanks to that strong upper level jet. And yes, Accuweather is going -12 on Thursday, while Weatherbug is going 4 above. Attribute this to the GFS, which is saying -20 (!) on Thursday morning. Yikes!