Forecast: Cold front swings through, brings unsettled Tuesday

NAM Model showing a sharp drop in temperatures (c) at the 850mb level in the atmosphere early Tuesday morning. 850mb temperatures of 10 C were forecast over NYC, while 850mb temperatures of -10 C were forecast over the Ohio Valley. The much cooler air to the west is on the way as a front moves through Tuesday.

Warm air, which settled into the region Sunday and Monday ahead of a cold front, is on the way out early Tuesday as the front moves through the area. Clouds and showers will meander near the area in the early morning, with some clearing eventually expected by afternoon. Yet, the main change in the weather will be much cooler temperatures and that difference will certainly be felt. Temperatures which neared 70 degrees on Monday will be cut down to the 40’s and possibly lower 50’s throughout most of the area. The clouds and showers won’t help, but the main change will be the new airmass and the return of lower humidity and cool northwest winds. The cool air will remain in place through late week, with temperatures falling into the 20’s and 30’s overnight and only topping out in the 50’s in the afternoon. The good news, however, is the lack of storms and precipitation on the radar through at least this weekend. A storm threat may be looming early next week, but we’ll keep a close eye on it. No worries for now.

Tuesday: Cloudy with showers early, then clearing with high temperatures in the afternoon topping out in the 50’s. Northwest winds, breezy and cooler.

Tuesday Night: Cool, clearing, feeling much more crisp with less humidity. Lows falling into the 20’s and 30’s throughout much of the area.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, north wind and temperatures topping out in the 50’s once again. A return to more seasonable weather — but plenty of sun to enjoy.

Looking ahead: Calm and cool weather through the weekend with no precipitation threats. Next chance for rain may be early next week with a coastal system. We’re watching it carefully.