Weekend Winner

106 Comments

3:36AM

The muggies have been pushed offshore by a cold front, and though the dry air is in, it will actually be warmer than yesterday in most of the region due to lots of sun and a westerly wind that dries and warms as it comes down off the mountains to the west. The air will cool a little bit by Sunday but still be quite mild, along with low humidity. High pressure will hang on during Monday which will be another excellent weather day. This nice stretch is also perfect timing for star gazers as the next 3 nights will offer an excellent view of the Perseid Meteor Shower, peaking Sunday night and early Monday morning (though Saturday night and Monday night will still be decent). The best viewing time will be from midnight to just before first light. If you are out there, try to get away from any light pollution and look high in the northeast sky. Perseid meteors radiate out from near the Omega Constellation “Cassiopeia” (looks like the letter W and is easy to find). They are also very fast-moving meteors and tend to leave thin but sometimes bright white or blue streaks. Optimal viewing conditions may offer up to 100 meteors per hour during the peak.

Looking ahead, a cold front will swing through on Tuesday with a brief return to humidity, showers, and thunderstorms, before another cooler, drier airmass comes in for the middle of next week.

Forecast for southeastern New England…

TODAY: Sunshine with passing clouds. Highs in the 80s. Wind W to NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows in the 60s, some upper 50s inland valleys. Wind W diminishing to around 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs upper 70s to lower 80s, coolest coastal areas. Wind SW up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 56. High 79.

TUESDAY: Variably cloudy. Showers/thunderstorms likely. Low 62. High 80.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 55. High 75.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 55. High 76.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 57. High 77.

106 thoughts on “Weekend Winner”

  1. TK, thanks for the update. Any cloud cover on Sunday night? It’s the height of the meteor shower.

  2. Thanks TK. Cassiopeiae is my grandsons favorite constellation. Taking off on the topic… :). I want to get him a telescope for Christmas but am having trouble finding a child friendly one.

    Is the best time to watch tonight after midnight also? I know I won’t be up after midnight Sunday / Monday.

  3. Barry says next weekend should be great as well with no humidity. 😀

    TK – Any early thoughts about the end of the month into Labor Day? I am almost afraid to ask. 😉

    1. Next weekend will be moderately humid most likely – not super dry.

      You don’t want to know the answer to the end of the month. 😉

      1. Well, what’s that supposed to mean?

        Hot and Humid? Cool and Rainy? OR Hurricanes? 😀 😀

  4. Tk,

    Just read your rant and other comments re: NWS at Taunton
    You were being too kind, but very nice to see that you share my thoughts.

    There may have been turning in the atmosphere, but there really wasn’t much
    to produce a violent thunderstorm to tap into that turning, thus there wasn’t
    much threat at all.

    Btw, it is now August 10. I don’t recall ever seeing much severe weather after this
    date. OF course it’s always possible, but clearly not as frequent. We shall see.

    BTW, the tropics remain quite and appear to do so for quite some time.
    First stirring is around 8/26.

    http://www.instantweathermaps.com/GFS-php/showmap-natlncep.php?run=2013081006&var=PCPPRSTMP_850mb&hour=384

    1. I was thinking the front that passes through here Tuesday and stalls down around the SE USA coastline around Thursday/Friday….which then appears to washout and has showers/storms festering in that around for many days afterward. That might be an area to keep an eye on for something tropical to eventually evolve from. Perhaps in the time frame of August 18th – 22nd ???

      1. Interesting thought. It has happened before, but typically
        it’s the Cape Verde ones that can nail us. We shall see. 😀

    2. There are not too many noted severe outbreaks after mid August. Of course August 6-8 1986 was one of the bigger New England tornado outbreaks. And of course there are some other more isolated but significant late-season events, most notably the Windsor Locks CT tornado of October 3 1980. Here in my home city of Woburn MA, a killer tornado struck on October 25 1925, with a path length of nearly 2 miles (ending in Stoneham MA), with the one death on Salem Street in Woburn – man killed by a flying brick from a chimney. There was also nearly 3 other fatalities when part of a church steeple and bell came down on the front of a car in Woburn center. The 3 women in the car survived with minor injuries.

      I recall (I think 1989), two separate tornado watches in November. That is rare (and not caused by global warming lol).

      1. There was a closer tornado warning (watch pribably) in November. I’m trying to remember the year. I think possibly 2009

        And every time you mention aug 1986 I scratch my head. My youngest was born 8-6-86. All I can think of is no one told me or I would have been very worries about the older two and my parents.

  5. US National Weather Service Boston MA
    Did you know we’re providing weather support for President Obama’s vacation on Martha’s Vineyard? No, we’re not giving the President detailed beach or golfing forecasts, but we will provide notification of any hazardous weather that will affect the island while the First Family is there!

    Let us hope that the weather is tranquil. Don’t want to needlessly Scare the crap out
    of the first family. 😀

    3. Doesn’t surprise me. I figure being an island they have to be sure he can always get away. And I believe his vacation was interrupted by both Irene and was it earl so he’s learned it is a questionable time in the northeast

  6. I’m already in fall mode, they got mums on sale at lowes, a sign of fall, it’s the sun angle more than it is the actual temps or date, sun angle is like late April and it feels more and more like football Go Patriots!!

    2. I have no idea Charlie why you want to rush this beautiful weather out of here. Who cares what the sun angle is. This season is so short just enjoy it.

    3. Sun angle is pretty high in April, given we’re 2 months away from the highest point. 🙂

      Sun angle is still pretty high now as well and the sunset is still in the 2nd half of the 7PM hour. That’s Summer.

      You are made to be a store manager: Back to school sales in June, Winter clothes out in July, Christmas decorations in August. 😀
      Kidding with you…
      Enjoy the day Charlie!

  8. What a day. 82 with 57 dP and a gusty breeze. Bright blue sky dotted with pure white, puffy clouds. The tree in our neighbors yard that loses leaves early is dropping red leaves.

  9. Thanks, TK.

    I agree w/Vicki – what a day. It is a beautiful day. I met a friend and we had brunch in Holliston earlier and now my husband and me are going out for ice cream! 🙂

    Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the wknd.!

      1. I believe it is the Holliston Grille. Very good – blueberry pancakes are delicious w/lots of blueberries.

  10. Last night local tv ratings were Patriots got a 14.9, Redsox got a 7.8, those were both local ratings no national ratings for both games, both were about normal

  13. Its so nice to come back from vacation to nice weather. This week looks great with the exception of Tuesday where we maybe dealing with showers and storms.

    3. Welcome back JJ. Glad you had a great vacation AND you are back in time for the last round of the match today. What a nice way to end!!

    1. Luzon, Philippines. There are a lot of people there but they are in a Typhoon “bowling alley” and know how to prepare. Nevertheless it’s a rough area to live in. I have seen many storms looking just like that one roll right through them. This particular storm is Typhoon Utor, top winds expected to be 135-140 MPH sustained near the core of the storm at the time of landfall. After it crosses Luzon it’ll reorganize in the South China Sea and is forecast to make another landfall West of Hong Kong (another very commonly-hit place) on Wednesday.

  15. Signs of heat showing up a little stronger on the last couple Euro runs (Target dates August 18-20 right now).

    2. figures the week of band camp, i new it was not possible to have a band camp with out a 90 degree day

    3. A potential of August heat…….say it ain’t so 😉

      I was out early looking for meteors. Cassie was quite visible but sadly it WAS early and I’m undoubtedly too close to city lights.

      1. Best of this show will be tonight from 11PM to the overnight small hour of about 4AM (Monday morning).

        1. I know but sadly I have an overpacked work day Monday so will not be up that late. Work just plain gets in the way 🙂

  16. Thanks North and Vicki.
    Vicki I am rooting for Furyk to win today.
    I don’t think were done with the heat and I will not be surprised if we get some blasts before summer is done but not like it was in July. I am keeping an eye on Tuesday with that thunderstorm threat.
    Preliminary Threat Level Index For Tuesday
    Flooding – Low
    Wind – Low
    Hail – Low
    Tornado – Very Low

    1. I think mac said he’s rooting for furyk also.

      I would also be very surprised if there were no more heat. It is not even two full months into summer.

  17. Vicki I always say winter and summer don’t go quietly. With winter its one last blast of cold or a late season snow event. With summer its one last blast of heat and humidity.

    1. Wise saying. Interesting that they really are our two main seasons. Perhaps because in New England spring and fall really don’t have extremes…….just lovey transitional weather. …..not always the rule but on average

    2. Except 1988. After August 15 that was it for summer. Very rare, and even moreso that it was one of the hottest summers we had because it was very warm in June and very hot in July and the first 15 days of August.

    1. Excellent. I love that we continue to challenge theories we once accepted. I don’t it very difficult to believe we are the only plant that can sustain life.

  20. Are we playing the same games we did when trying to leave winter behind back in April when we had snow potential after potential to end up with no potential, 90+ degrees from present going forward will be limited, I bet ya 90%+ of our daytime high temps for the next 6weeks will range between 75-85 degrees. I love this time of year, it’s just a little cooler than early and mid summer on average. I look forward to the next 12-15weeks as the absolute best time of year in really all aspect of life, good night all 🙂

    1. No games. Simply the inability to understand the definition of potential.

      Charlie. Is there the potential of a day with a 90+ temp before the end of the year?

  21. To me until the middle of September there is the potential of a 90 degree day.
    I think its safe to say the worst of the heat and humidty of 2013 is behind us.

    1. Absolutely.

      I know it wasn’t ending you wanted to tournament but pretty cool for Keegan Bradley to wait for the end. I’m not sure there is a sport with more “sportsmanship” than golf !!

      1. Great win for Dufner. 3 out of 4 major champion winners this year are first time major champions. Will see all four major champion winners compete in the PGA Grand Slam from Bermuda in October.

        The other story Tiger still has not won a major since 2008 U.S. Open.

          1. I think the next major Tiger will win is going to be the Masters. I have felt this way for a while. The course
            just fits his eye. Its not like he has not been in some of these majors. Its the weekend that has been bad for him
            when he starts out promising in the first two rounds.

            1. As far as I am concerned, I’d be very happy IF he were NEVER to win another
              Major. Just the way I feel.

            2. Good point, JJ. I was never a fan of Tigers so it took me a long time to understand he is truly one of the most gifted golfers ever. I’d like to see him win another major and I think you are right about Augusta being his course.

              I think it is Freddie’s too and I would just about give my eye teeth to see him win it again. Sadly, it’s too long for his back to hold out and I believe that is the only reason he has not won at least once in the past several times.

  22. Though I dont recall it, here were the high temps on April 23rd, 2013

    Logan : 43F, Worcester : 37F, Hartford : 46F, Providence : 45F.

    (that must have been a gem of a spring day ! 🙂 )

    I do recall this ….. As hurricane Earl a few days later slid out underneath us …….

    August 31st, 2010

    Logan : 95F, Worcester : 91F, Hartford : 97F, Providence : 94F

    Or the silliness of Oct 9, 2011 and the summerlike Columbus Day Weekend, which I also recall.

    Logan : 87F …….. Etc…….

    1. April 23 2013 my fourth grand arrived. The year before on march 18 when #3 arrived we had the older two outside playing in a water table. And as you know Tom I remember Earl well. I also remember Pete taking a lot of criticism the wed prior when he said it would go OTS and poor Todd G heading to Nantucket to experience what I believe would have been his first hurricane

      1. Ah, it truly was a gem of a day !!

        I also think Joe Joyce was down in Nantucket and I seem to remember him receiving some grief for a blog he wrote on BZ.

        1. Ah ha. You may be right that it was joe and not Todd. And there was criticism on the BZ weather blog. Surprise 🙂

  23. Storm Prediction Center has a good chunk of SNE in slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. Like Friday will have to watch out if any sun comes through because if that happens these storms could pack a pretty good punch. If it stays cloudy tomorrow that will lower the risk big time of strong to severe storms. Strong wind gusts to me look like the big threat should any of these storms become severe.
    Threat Level Index. I have a feeling I maybe updating this again but here is what I am thinking right now.
    Flooding – Low
    Wind – Elevated
    Hail – Low
    Tornado – Very Low

    1. Thanks for the heads up. I didn’t expect that.

      I will say this. Given the track record this year, It’ll probably be
      more of the same. NOTHING! Until such time that I am shown
      more concrete evidence of severe weather, I am assuming that IF
      we were to get any thunderstorms, they would be of the garden variety. 😀

      I guess we’ll know more later and certainly tomorrow.

  24. re: Tropics

    Over and over again, the GFS tries to develop a tropical system after it
    emerges off the coast of West Africa, to no avail. A few times it depicted one
    all wound up, only to go poof on the next run. So far, it looks to be very quiet.

    Even the Euro has depicted some action, only to go poof.

    I wonder how long that will last?

    1. One more week, I think. Then the models may be playing “catchup” to track what they didn’t see coming.

  25. Will see when the SPC updates their day 2 outlook around 1:30 pm if the risk area changes. I am thinking the clouds will hold tough tomorrow.
    As far as the tropics a lot of dry air in the Atlantic comes off the coast of Africa known as Saharan dust. As long as that dry air remains in place its going to very tough to get anything forming out theree in the Atlantic.

    1. I did NOT. We had intended, but we had such a BAD experience Saturday,
      that we were too worn out. We headed to Harwich on the Cape Saturday.
      We had dinner reservations for 6PM at Buca’s restaurant to meet friends there.

      We left the house at 2:45PM, picked up another couple in Canton and headed down there, presumably with plenty of time to spare. Uneventful until about
      8 miles from the Bourne Bridge. All systems STOPPED!!!! a ONE HOUR back up to get over the Facuckta Bridge. We finally get over the bridge and call our
      friends to the tell them we will meet them at the restaurant and not at their place as had been planned.

      All was well until exit 9, ALL STOPPED again!!! We were to get off at exit 10,
      which was another 8-10 miles. I quickly veered off onto the exit Rt 134 north.
      I had to do an illegal turn to get going South. Called friends again and were told
      Buca’s was on Depot in Harwich. Yeah SURE!!! I drive South to pick up Rt 28 and headed East. First Depot was Depot Road. Turns out that one was in Dennis. Then we travel farther and find Depot Street in Harwich. No restaurant there. Then we found Depot Road in Harwich, no restaurant there.
      Well it turns out the restaurant was at Depot Road in HARWICHPORT another 5 miles down the road. Got there at 6:30PM. Luckily, they held
      our reservation. Dinner was Great, but my leg is still CRAMPING from all that stop and go traffice!()&@*(#*(!@&#&!*(@&#*!&@*(&*&#

      And that is why we didn’t drive anywhere to see the meteors. 😀

      1. Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that !!!! ……… We know that area well as my mother and father-in-law have a cottage down there in Dennis. We take exit 9 to get there. Also, my folks had a summer home in Eastham growing up, so, I know that Rt. 6 comes together right after exit 9 eastbound and thats always bunched up.

        It was about 1pm Saturday and I was thinking of going to Sandwich to a mini golf course we really like, followed by some ice cream. I happened, for once, to remember to put on BZ radio for a traffic report and was stunned to hear the multi-mile backups at both bridges. So, my perfect ( 🙂 ) plan, ended up turning into the Hanover Mall. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz …… Darn those Saturday to Saturday summer rentals on the Cape !!

        1. Yup. I was watching the various traffic websites all
          afternoon prior to leaving. I was trying to choose which
          bridge. Bridge delays seemed about equal, so I made the choice based on the bunched up traffic on rt. 3 due to
          the lane drop right after the Weymouth exit. Chose rt. 24 to 495 to 25 and the Bourne Bridge.

          I suppose it wouldn’t have mattered much either way.

          Next time we will NOT do this on a Saturday!! NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          1. I don’t go there bc of the traffic, it’s ridiculous bc it could have been fixed yrs ago, why is rt 3 not wider, and connected to another highway? Why do they still have a rotary to filter traffic? Things my 10 yr old would ask 😉

  27. From what I hear from others who tried to watch the Meteor shower, they only saw a couple in about an hour and not the 100+ / hour forecasted. Not sure if it was location/too much lighting, but that was the consensus I got.

    1. Much needed and very relaxing 🙂 Weather was good except for saturday, but the rain cleared by noon.

      How was Virginia??

      1. Virginia was nice. The only bad day was Tuesday with on an off rain and temps struggling to reaches the low 70s for highs.
        The heat and humidity were not bad compared to some years with highs in the low 100s with heat index values near 110.

  30. I was surprised we were in the slight risk area earlier today. The cloud cover tomorrow will be our friend and minimized the severe weather threat. I would not rule out a few strong storms across SNE with a gust of wind and briefly heavy rain.

    1. NWS discussion indicated Warm Front would NOT pass North of us, thus
      we wouldn’t get into the juicy air. I’m wondering IF that is the reason
      and not the cloudiness.

      1. That could very well be another reason. Certainly the warm front and cloud cover are going to be things to watch tomorrow.
        If the warm front should clear and there is sunshine for a few hours things could get interesting.

  33. Got to keep an eye on the time period from August 20th to October 20th and see what happens when we get see a lot of named storms. There have been 4 named storms so far this year. None have reached hurricane status.

  35. Pardon the late showing up of The Week Ahead.
    Posting issue this morning.
    It’s out now!

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