THURSDAY WEATHER BRIEFING
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
Wind gusts peaked at 49 mph at the airport yesterday and we might make a run at that number again later today. Things are calm this morning with sunshine. But the atmosphere will be very "well mixed" again during the midday and afternoon today. Air parcels will be rising and falling all the way up to 10,000-15,000 feet...which does not happen all that often. The wind energy up at that height can get pulled down to the surface by those air parcels so we expect wind gusts to reach 40 mph or so on at least a few occasions later today.
Nice and warm again with highs not far from 60.
A spotty shower can occur toward evening. Although these will be small cells and limited in coverage if they grow high enough they could bring small hail. Something to watch for.
FRIDAY: NOT BAD
Friday will not be as warm but we should still see temperatures reach the mid 40s with some sun. It will not be as windy. A cold front will slide through late in the day. Very little moisture for it to squeeze out but there might be a shower.
THE WEEKEND: SPRING SNOW??
The final day of astronomical winter is Saturday and it will be a chilly but tranquil day with a mix of sun and clouds.
Things get interesting Saturday night and Sunday. An area of low pressure will ride northward and will be close enough to the coast to bring a decent threat of crocus-crushing snow to parts of the mid-Atlantic and New England. Meanwhile, moisture may come far enough west to bring far eastern Ohio and western PA some wet snow starting late Saturday night.
Now I do not believe for a second that this will be a HIGH impact event for us. BUT, could it cause some minor inconveniences early Sunday morning? SURE! It could be slick in spots. During the daylight hours Sunday, any snow that falls will mainly stick to non-paved surfaces.Model snowfall forecasts:
European model, which has been very consistent with this idea for a day or so now, has about 50%-60% odds of 1" or more of snow.
Spring officially arrives just after midnight Sunday morning.
NEXT WEEK: COLD START
A cold start to next week with a gusty wind and some flurries Monday.
A big warm up is coming for midweek though and I think we'll see 60 as early as Wednesday.
2 DEGREE GUARENTEE
Forecast was on the money yesterday.
WEATHER FOR WEATHER GEEKS:
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