Coastal storm lingers, improving weekend

As meteorologists, you sometimes just have to toss your hands up and admit defeat. And with this weeks Nor’Easter, we’re doing just that. The storm came in much more intense, much more organized, and much more impactful than we forecasted or anticipated it to be. And while our area saw periods of heavy rain and wind from the storm, the system itself was quite dynamic.  Similar to winter Nor’Easters both aloft and at the surface, the storm featured a deepening surface low and a dynamically impressive mid level trough.

Enhanced lift from the developing surface low, which actually retrograded westward from the Atlantic toward Long Island last night, moved over New England and New York City overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. The result was heavy rain, and more noticeably, strong gusty winds mixing down to the surface. The dynamic system featured strong winds just above the surface — and so heavy rain brought these down. Gusts over 50 miles per hour were common throughout New England and Long Island.

NAM model depicting the 500mb trough this morning — which led to our major Nor’Easter.

Today, the mid level storm system and surface low pressure will drift northeastward. More importantly, the lift for precipitation and influx of moisture will weaken. This will allow unsettled weather to continue, but keep away heavy rain and strong, gusty winds. Winds will still be blustery out of the north as the storm pulls away later today. Clearing isn’t anticipated until Friday, when showers will become less-frequent and skies will begin to clear as drier air moves in from the west.

This weekend will feature a much calmer, yet transitional, mid and upper level pattern. High temperatures generally in the mid to upper 60’s are expected — with pleasant weather and no threat of rain. This will certainly come as welcome news after several days of dreary weather!