PM Zones Update: Clouds increase, unsettled midweek

After a calm and cold pattern settled into the area over the last 24 hours, clouds began building into the area this afternoon and evening ahead of a developing storm system well to the west of the entire region. This storm will continue building over the next 12 hours, through Tuesday, over the Central United States. A more unsettled weather pattern will build towards the area as the week goes on, with precipitation approaching the area by Tuesday evening.

Much of this precipitation will fall in the form of showers and rain throughout the area, with the potential for some snow and freezing rain over the far interior. In Southern and Central NJ, Long Island and Connecticut zones, however, southerly winds will have taken over the atmosphere before any frozen precipitation can form.

Visible satellite loop on Monday showing clouds approaching the region.

Visible satellite loop on Monday showing clouds approaching the region.

Essentially, these southerly winds are effectively scouring out cold air in place throughout the area. While the surface (Where we live) is the slowest to be scoured out — especially so thanks to the snow cover — the atmosphere becomes hostile for snowflakes to form at all by Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Instead, a cold rain is expected, and the rain may be steady at times on Wednesday morning as a frontal boundary approaches the area. This front will push east through the area by daybreak on Wednesday, and clearing is expected Wednesday afternoon. Another disturbance approaches the area on Thursday with more rain expected as southerly winds continue and temperatures continue to warm.