Posts

Viewing conditions in question for tonights supermoon eclipse

Beginning at 8:00pm tonight, the Earth will pass directly between the sun and the moon, in what is also known as a lunar eclipse. The suns light will cast an orange/red shadow on the moon as it fragments around the Earth.

To make the eclipse even more memorable, the moon will be in what is known as “perigee” or a “supermoon”, which means it is at its closest point to the Earth this year in its orbit. This will make the moon appear 14 percent larger than it usually does, obviously making the eclipse even more outstanding than usual.

Read more

Warmup continues ahead of cold front

Temperatures in the 70’s, plenty of sun, and a light breeze were the main characteristics of the weather throughout much of the area on Saturday, during a day which likely will be remembered as one of the more pleasant in recent memory. Much of the same is expected on Sunday — in fact it will be a few degrees warmer — as high pressure moves east of the area and the airmass modifies further. Southerly winds will continue to pump in warmer air both aloft and at the surface, so much of the area away from the coast will warm up into the upper 70’s if not 80’s.

The only exception will come near the area coasts, where cool marine air will rear its ugly ahead once again. A slightly southeasterly component to the wind will introduce an influx of colder air off of the ocean waters, which remain in the 40’s. Forecast models with higher resolution are picking up on temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s along the south shore of Long Island and New Jersey coast. While this may be somewhat aggressive given the initial diurnal heating likely this morning, temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s should be more common near the coast with the possibility of low clouds rolling in off the water and blustery southeast winds.

HRRR model showing high temperatures in the 80's on Sunday, but temperatures only in the 40's and 50's near the shore.

HRRR model showing high temperatures in the 80’s on Sunday, but temperatures only in the 40’s and 50’s near the shore.

Read more

Pleasant, warmer weather takes hold through late week

A developing high pressure system will bring increasingly pleasant weather to the area during the middle part of this work week — and despite being in a generally active spring pattern which many disturbances moving through the country, the pleasant pattern looks to hold through at least early next week. Moderating temperatures will the story on Wednesday through Monday — with a brief interruption by a period of rain late this week into the early weekend. But high temperatures will rebound into the 60’s and potentially warmer during the next several days.

A potential wild card in the setup will be the wind direction, especially near the coasts. Cooler ocean waters this time of year can have a major impact on temperatures near the shore. Forecast models are in good agreement that Wednesday will be a true winner of a day with temperatures nearing 60 for highs in most locations and a light west/northwest wind. By Thursday, however, things change as winds turn southerly and a warmer airmass begins advocating into the region. Although marking the start of a warmer trend, the southerly winds inevitably mean a sea breeze or ocean influence along the shores of New Jersey and Long Island.

HRRR model forecasting highs near 60 this afternoon.

HRRR model forecasting highs near 60 this afternoon.

Read more