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John Homenuk

PM Update: Cloudy, damp behind backdoor front

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Ah, that phrase again. Backdoor cold fronts often manifest themselves in New England and the Mid Atlantic during the transition seasons of Autumn and Spring. This year, of course, is no exception. We had plenty of them in the Spring, and this is our first of Autumn. We even wrote a detailed breakdown of how they work, and why they affect our area. Regardless, a backdoor front associated with a mid level disturbance overhead slipped past the region yesterday, and we’re feeling the full effects of it today with cloudy and damp weather.

A weak low pressure system off the coast is bringing enhanced rainfall to parts of Southern New England, Eastern Long Island and Connecticut tonight. The best forcing and lift for rain will remain to the east of the areas, but periods of more steady rain and showers are possible through tonight and into Thursday. Tonight, as a result, will remain quite cool and damp. We suggest bringing a jacket if you’re headed out. You may want to carry an umbrella along, too, just to be safe.

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John Homenuk

Backdoor front brings clouds, cooler air

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For the fifth time this Spring, a well defined backdoor cold front has swung southwestward from New England and brought marine air into our area. On the heels of three warm days in a row, with temperatures in the 80’s to near 90 on the last two days, the backdoor front gained steam initially in Maine and moved through New England on Tuesday. By Tuesday Night, the front progressed past New York City and Wednesday morning it was south of Philadelphia. The front featured a dramatic thermal gradient, with temperatures now in the 50’s and 60’s in areas where they were in the 80’s on Thursday. Northeast winds and cooler, more damp air were to blame as clouds infiltrated the area as well.

The culprit in the development of the backdoor cold front is a persistent trough from Eastern Canada into New England and the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. This feature has reappeared several times this Spring season, and continues to bring an abrupt end to any warmups which surge into the area from the Central US. The front will eventually weaken later this week, but troughing is expected to maintain its hold on the areas weather — keeping any major warmups back into the 80’s at bay for the time being.

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John Homenuk

Strong storms Tuesday, backdoor front Wednesday

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It has been the season of backdoor cold fronts so far this Spring, and yet another one is poised to move southwestward from New England during the middle part of this week. For the time being, our area is nestled just to the south of the backdoor frontal boundary. What  this means for Tuesday is continued, if not enhanced southerly flow and very warm temperatures. Highs in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s are likely throughout the area — and warm temperatures are even possible down to the beaches with an offshore wind direction.

By Tuesday afternoon, however, increased support for lift along the broad frontal zone will increase the chances for the development of showers and thunderstorms. With moderate instability in place and marginally supportive wind fields, strong to severe thunderstorms are a possibility. Dropping from the northwest, these storms will be on the periphery of good upper level support, and may make it as far as the area beaches while maintaining strong to severe intensity. Namely, dangerous lightning and strong winds are a possibility within these storms.

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John Homenuk

Unsettled trend brings heavy rain, cold front

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The backdoor cold front which we discussed a few days ago lived up to expectations throughout the area this week. Although not exciting by any means, the front brought cooler air and more clouds as it was expected to — essentially ending the brief period of warmth which saw temperatures on Monday reach into the mid 80’s. The east winds off cooler ocean waters are expected to keep temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s on Wednesday. Additionally, some low level moisture could lead to drizzle in many places, adding to the damp and dreary feel already in the air.

As a storm system approaches our area from the west later this week, the backdoor front will begin to lose some of its grip on the area’s weather. But the damage will have already been done in terms of spoiling what otherwise would’ve been a glorious period of warmth. Thursday looks likely to feature warmer temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s, but a continued trend of unsettled weather including clouds and some showers thanks to a southeasterly wind direction.

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