Posts

John Homenuk

Forecast: Pleasant work week ahead

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Although it may still technically be summer on the calendar, meteorological seasons seem to be the better indicator of sensible weather so far this week — especially this morning as low temperatures fell into the 40’s and 50’s with some upper 30’s in the northwest suburbs. The cool temperatures are occurring as a result of a cold front, which passed through last night and ushered in a cool (but progressive) airmass from Canada. These airmasses typically become increasingly common as the autumn goes on, but don’t stick around for too long early in the season. This year will be no different, as the week will feature pleasant weather but moderating temperatures.
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John Homenuk

PM Update: Chilly evening on the way

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Pleasant weather had gripped the area over the last few days, until clouds moved in early this morning and showers affected the area until about noon. The dreary and rainy conditions of this morning weren’t a result of a weak or irrelevant disturbance, however. Instead, they were associated with a reinforcing shot of cold air which comes just 5 days after high temperatures reached the upper 90’s in many locations. Temperatures at the 850mb level of the atmosphere can often be a good indication as to where the weather pattern is situated temperature and sensible-weather wise, and this time around is no different. Comparing 850mb temperatures to 5 days ago yields an eye opening change: 850mb temperatures reached 22 C last Wednesday, and will fall to near 2 C overnight tonight.

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John Homenuk

PM Update: Plenty of sun, low humidity

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The sun is setting this evening on a gorgeous late-summer day (or early autumn if you’re using the meteorological calendar), and the main change in terms of sensible weather has been the drop in humidity. The past several days had featured rising dew points and increasing clouds with unsettled weather. But a cold front which moved through on Tuesday set the stage for a gorgeous Wednesday — and a persistent pleasant pattern which looks to settle into the area over the next several days. Light westerly winds and clear skies were the theme Wednesday, and look to be the theme through the weekend. A reinforcing shot of cold air, arriving just ahead of a mid level atmospheric disturbance on Thursday, will make things borderline chilly on Friday morning.

NAM model showing forecast low temperatures from Thursday Night into Friday morning. Upper 30's and 40's are common in the suburban areas of New England.

NAM model showing forecast low temperatures from Thursday Night into Friday morning. Upper 30’s and 40’s are common in the suburban areas of New England.

Forecast models show a disturbance moving through New England from Thursday into Friday, dragging a cold front south of our area into the Mid-Atlantic. The airmass from Canada which it brings along for the ride will only graze the area for a brief time, but 850mb temperatures will fall to the single digits (near zero in New England) with clear skies and light winds expected Thursday into Friday. Accordingly, forecast models show low temperatures falling into the 40’s in the interior suburbs, and 30’s in parts of New England.

Daytime highs on Friday could struggle to reach the lower 70’s — so it will certainly be feeling more like Autumn. Things recover a bit into the weekend, but the general theme of pleasant conditions with temperatures in the 70’s and perfect sleeping weather overnight will continue.

 

John Homenuk

Wednesday Forecast: One more splendid day

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Northeast surface analysis from the morning of July 31, 2013 showing high pressure controlling the weather pattern for one more day, but moisture approaching from the southtwest.

Northeast surface analysis from the morning of July 31, 2013 showing high pressure controlling the weather pattern for one more day, but moisture approaching from the southwest.

The first half of this current work week has given us the best summer has to offer. Clear blue skies, low humidity, and near-average temperatures with highs reaching the low to middle 80’s throughout the area. The low humidity, in particular, has kept temperatures feeling comfortable and the air feeling crisp. Much of the same will be true on Wednesday, as a high pressure system hangs on for one more day before slipping off the coast and weakening. High clouds will stream in during the later part of the morning into the afternoon, with some mid and lower clouds possible by the end of the day. Generally, however, pleasant weather will persist.

The mid and high clouds are the first sign of an approaching disturbance which will affect the area on Thursday. A warm front and associated low pressure system will move towards the area by Thursday morning and afternoon, bringing with it a high likelihood of showers and periods of rain as well as an increased chance of thunderstorms. Most noticeably, the humidity will rise and the winds will pick up out of the east-southeast, especially in any stronger storms.

Stay tuned for the latest on the approaching storm system, but first be sure to enjoy the gorgeous Wednesday which is on the way. Be sure to check in on our social networks for frequent updates.