1/18 PM Zone Update: Gradual clearing, unsettled pattern continues

Clearing was gradual to occur, as expected, throughout the Northeast United States today as a storm system off the coast of Southern New England slowly departed to the east. Residual moisture in the low levels of the atmosphere was to blame, and ocean effect snow even continued over parts of Maine for several hours as well. Clearing will occur tonight as the storm pulls even further away and the atmosphere dries.

High pressure will build in from later tonight into Thursday, with fair weather expected to return. Temperatures will still average above normal for the majority of the area during the afternoon on Thursday — by several degrees, in fact. But high pressure remaining overhead will mean fair and calm weather through all of Thursday and into the overnight period.

Within an active pattern and atmospheric jet stream, another disturbance will approach the northeast on Friday. This one will be relatively weak, and progressive, but forecast models still suggest lift and some moisture approaching the Mid Atlantic states from Friday afternoon into Friday evening.

As this area of lift and moisture moves gradually northeast, it will wane in terms of intensity. But showers and some periods of rain are possible, especially across Southeast PA and New Jersey, shifting slowly northeastward throughout the day. Drier air over high pressure New England will gradually shunt the storm eastwards towards the Atlantic.

With fair weather expected this weekend, attention will turn to a potentially larger storm system early next week. Forecast models today have come into better agreement on the idea that a large, anomalous system may impact the East Coast with rain and wind. We discussed it in our post from last night and another update is anticipated this evening.

Have a great evening, you’ll hear more from us tonight!