To say it’s been a mild winter would be an understatement. It’s been a steady weather pattern for most of the winter with highs in the 30’s and overnight lows in the teens and 20’s with the occasional snow event as well as the occasional heat wave. Unremarkable would be a good way to describe it but that’s FINALLY all about to change.

We’ll see one of those aforementioned heat waves today with highs in the low 50’s (and plenty of wind to go along with the warm temps) but things take a turn this evening as the coldest air of the year and the coldest we’ve seen since last winter, moves in accompanied by snow showers through Saturday and bitter cold temps through Monday.

We’ll see a high of only 22 tomorrow before temps start to drop mid-day and continue to descent into single and negative digits of the weekend. A high of 9 on Saturday with overnight lows of -12. High of 4 on Sunday with lows nearing -20 Sunday night. MLK Day will bring plenty of sunshine but only a high of 12.

It’ll be short-lived as the arctic air moves out on Tuesday and we return to the more “normal” winter weather of highs in the 20’s and 30’s.

We are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM tonight through 3 PM tomorrow for snow and blowing snow with 1-3 inches possible across the lower elevations and 3-6 inches possible over passes and in the mountains.

Bottom line – if you’re thinking you’re wanting to fish the MO today is the day but expect breezy conditions with sustained south southwest winds of 20 – 28 mph and gusts up to 40 mph possible.

While fishing the river may be off the table for the time being we’re happy to have the winter weather. We did get some snow last week and this cold snap is exactly what we need to lock up and hopefully add to that snowpack.

Conditions have improved over the past week but we’re still in desperate need of snow to feed spring flows throughout much of the region.

So settle in this weekend. Tie flies, organize your gear, clean those fly lines, watch football, maybe even start your taxes…there’s always plenty to do inside and the fish will be there on the other side of the arctic blast.

Tight Lines and GO LIONS!