DAYS 1-5 (APRIL 8-12)
Below normal temperatures will be the dominant feature the next 5 days. Also, a fairly unsettled pattern continues, but isn’t without some fair weather. First, low pressure tracks just north of our region this morning, and it drags a sharp cold front through with some snow and rain showers. Higher elevations of the interior may experience a burst of heavier snow that can coat some surfaces briefly, otherwise beyond some brief visibility reduction, there won’t be any negative impact from this activity. Of more importance today are the strong and gusty winds that set in behind the front, with gusts in the 35 to 50 MPH range, some minor wind damage and isolated power outages can occur. The wind will settle gradually tonight into Wednesday as high pressure approaches from the west and the gradient between it and Canadian low pressure loosens up over our region. But this is a cold air mass, and man areas tonight fall below freezing, recovering to sub-50 high temps in many areas Wednesday. But at least sunshine will dominate the sky on Wednesday, and being in that is a benefit at this time of year when cold air is present. High pressure moves over the region at night then offshore Thursday, allowing that day to be a bit milder – except expect coastal areas to be cooler with a light southeasterly air flow. A warm front will approach our region on Thursday, with increasing high and mid level clouds, but I expect the daylight hours to stay dry, with a chance of some spotty rain at night. This initial thrust of moisture will meet its demise up against the offshore high and a bit of a westward extension of the feature, so other than the patchy rain that night, despite a lot of cloud cover on Friday it may end up as another dry day. Our luck runs out though Friday night and Saturday as a stronger trough down the Atlantic Coast migrates northward and sends a more formidable low pressure system our way. While the timing is not great in terms of thwarting outdoor weekend plans, any precipitation we get is beneficial for continuing to reduce a longer-term dry spell that extends back into 2024. The Friday night / Saturday system does have the potential to begin as a mix of rain/sleet/wet snow in some interior higher elevations – something else I’ll keep an eye on.
TODAY: Cloudy through mid morning with additional rain/mix/snow showers. Many clouds and intervals of sun midday on. Highs 42-49. Wind variable 5-15 MPH, becoming W 15-25 MPH with gusts 35-50 MPH, strongest over open areas and higher elevations.
TONIGHT: Clearing. Lows 25-32. Wind NW 15-25 MPH, higher gusts.
WEDNESDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 45-52. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 25-32. Wind light variable.
THURSDAY: Sun followed by clouds. Highs 51-58, coolest coast. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Lows 40-47. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 50-57, coolest coast. Wind SE to E up to 10 MPH.
FRIDAY NIGHT / SATURDAY: Cloudy. Periods of rain. Areas of fog. Temperatures decline to 43-50 then remain steady. Wind E 10-20 MPH, higher gusts especially coastal areas.
DAYS 6-10 (APRIL 13-17)
Low pressure moves northward passing just east of the region with additional wet weather expected to finish off the weekend on April 13. Faster or more eastward shifting of the system would result in earlier improvement, but that’s a long shot right now. Fair, milder April 14, briefly. Strong cold front returns below normal temperatures by middle of next week, but pattern looks a little more progressive and less wet.
DAYS 11-15 (APRIL 18-22)
Indications of a more progressive pattern – near to below normal temperatures, but more dry weather versus wet weather. Details TBD.