Posts

John Homenuk

High latitude blocking puts Spring on hold

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It’s almost too fitting. For much of the winter, meteorologists and hobbyists alike spend countless hours attempting to forecast and predict the likelihood of high latitude blocking development. This year, stratospheric warming events were expected to kick off changes that would eventually lead to the development of said high latitude blocking, and change our pattern to a cold and snowy one. While the pattern turned cold and snowy for sure, the high latitude blocking never came to fruition. In fact, the NAO stayed positive for much of the winters duration.

Well, it’s finally here. Just in time for Spring.

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John Homenuk

PM Update: Lyrid meteor shower peaks tonight

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Showers and thunderstorms, some currently warned as severe with strong winds, are progressing through the area this afternoon. Please see our currently active thread for the latest information on those weather hazards. 

The annual Lyrid meteor shower, which often features some notably bright meteors in the night sky, will peak tonight. Although the meteor shower has been trending toward peak for the past few days, with some sightings reported in our local area suburbs, the shower reaches its technical maxima tonight. 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

Showers and storms with gusty winds, small hail today

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3:00pm Update: Showers and embedded thunderstorms continue to approach the area, now in Western New Jersey and shifting eastward. While radar presentation isn’t necessarily eye-grabbing, the winds just above the surface that are mixing down to the surface are impressive.

Philadelphia International Airport recently gusted to 71 miles per hour as thunderstorms passed through. Multiple gusts over 45 miles per hour have been reported in Eastern Pennsylvania. As storms continue to shift eastward toward the axis of more favorable instability and lapse rates, expect these gusts to continue.

None of these storms are currently producing sustained severe-level winds, but we are continuing to monitor the situation. Stay tuned for future updates over the next few hours.

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John Homenuk

Photos: Double rainbow shines over NYC Tuesday morning

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Behind a round of thunderstorms which produced frequent lightning, heavy rain and even some small hail, drier air worked into the area earlier this morning. As it did so, rain continued to fall from remaining updrafts and downdrafts associated with thunderstorms that were weakening over the area. The result, as the sun began to shine, were beautiful rainbows which stretched across the sky in New Jersey and New York City.

Readers on our website, Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets took to posting their pictures of the rainbows (in some cases, double rainbows) as they stretched across the sky. If you have any pictures of your own, share them with us in the comments section below!

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