John Homenuk

Lyrid meteor shower approaching peak this weekend

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The annual Lyrid meteor shower, which often features some notably bright meteors in the night sky, will enter its peak this weekend. The shower won’t technically peak until the early to middle part of next week, but an increase in visible meteors is expected beginning this weekend. The meteor shower is active from April 15th through April 25th annually, with peak days varying. The visibility of meteors also varies year to year based on sky and moon conditions.

This year, ideal viewing conditions are anticipated with a waxing crescent moon setting during the early evening hours of the peak days. This will leave especially dark conditions for meteor viewing. While last years Lyrid meteor shower was generally unimpressive, the variance from year to year leaves meteor-watchers very hopeful for this years result.

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John Homenuk

Warmer, but unsettled weather through the weekend

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We’ll start off by saying this: Saturday will be the winner of the weekend, with highs in the 70’s even near the coast. The rest of the weekend, however, will remain unsettled. Multiple mid level disturbances crossing from the Central to Eastern United States, and the return of increased moisture, will lead to the chance of showers and rain both on Friday and Sunday afternoons. This leads to an uncertain temperature forecast, but increasing likelihood of unsettled weather both days will certainly hamper the weekend weather a bit.

Wednesday and Thursday, first, look to be exceedingly pleasant. Highs on both days will reach into the middle 60’s with generally light winds, and plenty of sunshine. If you’re headed to Madison Square Garden on Thursday afternoon and evening for the Rangers/Penguins Game 1 (we’re big Rangers fans here), the weather should be perfect. You might even be able to grab dinner outside or on a local rooftop restaurant before the puck drops at 7pm.

After high pressure gives way to a weak disturbance on Friday, which will bring increased clouds and chance of showers at times during the day, re-established high pressure will briefly take over on Saturday. West/northwest winds and warmer temperatures aloft will allow for highs to reach into the 60’s and 70’s during the afternoon hours on Saturday.

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Doug Simonian

Winter 2014-2015 Review and Verification

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We made it! We can finally safely say that the winter season is over and, while the cold seems to want to endlessly stick around, Spring is strengthening its grasp. Now that the days of snow and bitter cold are over, we’ve compiled a detailed review of the brutal winter as well a verification for our winter forecast we issued back in early November.

Some highlights of this winter include:

1) The second coldest February on record, with widespread ice buildup on the Hudson River.

2) Winter storm “Juno” in late January which gave parts of eastern Long Island over two feet of snow.

3) A persistent cold and snowy pattern from late January through March, with an active assault of moderate snow events — somewhat reminiscent of last year’s winter.

4) Boston’s snowiest winter on record.

In our review, we break down the winter month-by-month and provide temperature departures and snowfall amounts for Central Park, as well as descriptors and verification statistics.

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John Homenuk

Pleasant week ahead, save a rainy Tuesday

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It has been a while since residents of the Tri-State Area have been able to look ahead at a weekly forecast without worrying about a major storm system. While this week will feature one day of unsettled weather, on Tuesday, the general theme will be pleasant — and Spring like, too. A high pressure system will hold on to just enough control of the atmospheric pattern Monday, allowing temperatures to rise into the 60’s and 70’s amid a modifying airmass. Southerly winds will actually kick up throughout the day a bit, but they will be warm — and highs may reach the 70’s in parts of Central and Northern New Jersey.

An approaching cold frontal system will bring showers and a rumble of thunder on Tuesday, but temperatures will rise into the 60’s during the morning out ahead of the frontal system. Clouds and showers will be prevalant throughout the day. But while rain will obviously hamper the forecast, it certainly won’t be a cold or dreary washout by any means. Once the frontal system comes through, clouds will clear out once again by Tuesday Night and the airmass will become refreshed with cooler temperatures aloft.

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