A stationary front has draped itself across Missouri for the past few days, bringing classic December weather. Separating cold air to its northwest from mild, humid air to its southeast, the front has produced chilly, damp conditions with a low, gray overcast.
Many of us likely welcome the early winter weather this year, coming as it does on the heels of an extended period of unusually warm, dry conditions that have severely exacerbated our prolonged drought. On the other hand, few will venture outdoors in this raw weather, leaving the parks and trails for true naturalists who understand the benefits that such conditions bring. In addition to the solitude, relished by the majority of nature-lovers, these cool, gray days stimulate our resident wildlife; mimicking the twilight of dusk, the low clouds, combined with the invigorating chill, make birds and mammals more active and, thus, more conspicuous. Conversely, wildlife watching is generally least productive on warm, sunny afternoons.
As this front is forced to the southeast by a new, more potent cold front, the skies will clear but the temperatures will drop. We expect an overnight low near 20 degrees F and a high tomorrow afternoon near the freezing point. Though winter has clearly taken charge, pushing summer down to the Gulf Coast, a gradual moderation is expected through the week and, in concert, the benefits of our gray days will be lost.
