Public Analysis: Warm End To the Week, Unusual Spring Pattern Setting Up

Good afternoon!

After the dreary and cool weather we’ve been stuck in for the past few days due to the large and sluggish cut-off low pressure system earlier this week, conditions have finally improved rather markedly this afternoon. With clear skies, light westerly/southwesterly winds, and warm mid-level temperatures have allowed highs to reach into the upper 70’s and lower 80’s across the entire area. Some locations along the coast of Long Island and Connecticut have experienced a little more offshore flow this afternoon, therefor temperatures are stuck in the lower 70’s as of 2pm.

As we near the late afternoon hours and early evening, winds may turn more to the southeast ahead of a weak mid-level disturbance approaching our area. With winds out of the southeast, more moisture from off of the Atlantic may be able to work its way into the lower levels of the atmosphere and produce some overcast, especially for coastal sections of NJ and Long Island. After sunset, some locations closer to the coast may also have to deal with patchy fog as that moisture right off of the coast gets brought inland.

Later this evening and into very early tomorrow morning, we may have to watch out for the potential for some possible heavy rain as strong thunderstorms develop later this afternoon over portions of the Ohio Valley. These storms may wind up tracking through our area later on this evening and into tomorrow morning. These residual showers and possible thunderstorms would be fueled by the leftover instability provided by the southerly winds and approaching mid-level disturbance over Pennsylvania. The latest hi-resolution guidance has this activity reaching the area by 4-6 am, but if these storms do manage to maintain themselves, there could pose a threat for locally heavy downpours, gusty winds, and  some thunder. There are still uncertainties regarding these storms as they have not developed yet, but one concern is that they could slip to the south of the NYC area and cause little if any impact . Otherwise, tonight should be relatively warm as clouds work to trap the remaining heat in the low levels of the atmosphere, leading to lows in the upper 50’s and low 60’s.

Current conditions featuring the latest surface temperatures, visible satellite imagery, and regional radar mosaic, showing a very nice end to the work week.

Current conditions featuring the latest surface temperatures, visible satellite imagery, and regional radar mosaic, showing a very nice end to the work week.

Saturday and Sunday

As we move into tomorrow morning, some leftover showers and clouds may linger into the early afternoon hours, especially as a backdoor cold front works its way from north to south. While not as “intense” as the previous backdoor fronts that we have had over the past few weeks, this front will bring a mix of clouds and sun and gusty winds of around 25-35 mph during the afternoon hours. High temperatures tomorrow afternoon will be somewhat tricky to forecast depending on how far south the front can sag to the south, but highs should generally be in the upper 70’s and low 80’s across the entire area. It is worth mentioning that some locations in Southern New Jersey and portions of Southeast Pennsylvania could possibly see highs in the mid-upper 80’s with enough sun.

It is worth mentioning that there is some potential for some isolated showers and thunderstorms late tomorrow afternoon and evening as the backdoor front sags south through Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Instability will be quite high to the south of this front, and wind shear will also be quite supportive of some strong or possibly very isolated severe thunderstorms which may produce some isolated large hail, locally heavy rainfall, and damaging winds. However, due to the lack of a “trigger” to set these storms off, and the fact that the cold front could be well south of the immediate NYC metro area by the time the other ingredients are in place, we do not anticipate widespread significant severe weather tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, Tomorrow evening will definitely be much cooler than Friday, as the cold front leaves behind cooler winds from the north west, with lows in the lower 50’s to upper 40’s further inland.

On Sunday a much cooler airmass will be over the region as maritime floods the entire area due to winds coming in from the Atlantic ocean. While starting off relatively cool in the morning, a mix of sun and clouds and calmer winds from a high pressure system to the north east will allow temperatures to get into the low to middle 60’s across the area, which is around 8-10 degrees below normal for this time of year!

Later in the evening, we may see the stalled out front over portions of the Mid-Atlantic begin to return northwards with some warmer air and clouds, but at this time the timing and placement of this feature is somewhat uncertain. Overall, we expect cloudiness and possibly some showers to take over during the evening on Sunday.

This afternoons 12km North American model showing a rather significant amount of instability to the south of the NYC metro on Saturday afternoon (Valid 4pm Saturday)

This afternoons 12km North American model showing a rather significant amount of instability to the south of the NYC metro on Saturday afternoon (Valid 4pm Saturday)

Monday and Early Tuesday 

As mentioned, there are some very significant uncertainties as to how far north the front will advance once again on Monday, as this will be crucial in determining how the day plays out. If the front happens to reach far enough north of our region by the afternoon hours, we could see a very warm and pleasant day on Monday with highs in the upper 70’s and low 80’s once again. However, even if this warmer solution is realized on Monday, a very large system is expected to be gathering in the Great Lakes region Monday evening.

As this system continue to move north and east through the Great Lakes region very late Monday and into Tuesday, it should drag a rather strong cold front through our area. This cold front will have access to deep tropical moisture, extending all the way from the Gulf of Mexico, so there is a real threat for heavy rain and potential thunderstorms associated with this cold front as it progresses through our area.  At this time, it appears that the showers and thunderstorms will be passing through during the evening hours, so the overall severity of the associated thunderstorms should be quite limited.

Extended Range

A cooler airmass is expected to trail the front later in the day on Tuesday and into Wednesday, but the main story will be the ensuing pattern that will be taking shape. We have talked about the North Atlantic Oscillation many times in the past, and especially during the winter months since it is such a large factor in helping to get large coastal storms to drop copious amounts of precipitation over our area when it heads towards its negative phase. In an interesting series of events, it now seems that a very large and powerful ridge will be setting up over Greenland during the middle of next week. If this actually does materialize, and most of the computer model guidance does support it, then we could be entering a rather cool and stormy pattern for at least the next 7-10 days across the Northeast.

Interestingly enough, the models have even been beginning to show a series of potential coastal storms in the long range taking tracks quite similar to storm tracks that we would see during the Winter months! We will continue to monitor this very interesting pattern over the next few days and provide updates and more details become available!

GFS and ECMWF ensembles both agreeing on an extended period of a negative NAO, which could promote cool and stormy weather in the east

GFS and ECMWF ensembles both agreeing on an extended period of a negative NAO, which could promote cool and stormy weather in the east

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Have a great weekend!

Steve Copertino