9:30 AM | Rocket launch now set for 5PM early Sunday evening and skies look favorable; Lyrid meteor shower peaks late tonight

Discussion

3rd time is a charm?? The rocket launch that has been scrubbed twice so far at NASA Wallops Island, Virginia should go on as planned at 5PM this early Sunday evening. Sky conditions look quite favorable for this scheduled launch time and for viewing conditions up and down the east coast. For more specifics on the launch refer to prior posts here at thesiweather.com. Real-time launch updates are available on the Wallops Island Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/.

Also, the Lyrid meteor shower will peak late tonight and early Monday and skies should be clear, but it’ll be quite cold.

12:30 PM | **UPDATE: LAUNCH SCRUBBED FOR TODAY DUE TO WINDS** 5PM launch at NASA Wallops Island; should be favorable conditions and visible up and down the east coast

Discussion

The rocket launch that was scrubbed earlier this week at Wallops Island, Virginia will be launched at 5PM this evening. Sky conditions look quite favorable for this scheduled launch time and for viewing conditions up and down the east coast. The originally scheduled launch on Wednesday was not scrubbed because of weather issues, but rather due to the premature separation of a launch pad connection to the rocket’s upper stage. The rocket that is set to launch is an Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket that is 133 feet tall. This is to be the first launch of the Antares rocket, the first orbital launch of a liquid-fueled rocket from Wallops Island, and the largest ever launched there. According to an executive with the company “it is going to be the biggest and loudest and brightest thing that’s ever been launched from Wallops!” The rocket should be visible for about 90 seconds after liftoff along the east coast if you can find a clear view of the horizon. Look about 10 degrees above the horizon in the southeastern sky if in the DC metro region, and in the southern sky if in Philly or New York City. This rocket is being launched as part of a test mission with the goal of transporting cargo to the International Space Station. Real-time launch updates are available on the Wallops Island Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF

4:30 PM | Tornado watch for Chester County in SE PA and all of DC metro region

Discussion

A line of strong-to-severe thunderstorms currently extends from State College, PA to just west of Charlottesville, VA and the entire line is heading east. The NWS has issued a tornado watch for this evening for Chester County in SE PA and virtually all of the entire DC metro region to include northern MD and northern VA (watch area map on Facebook page). Stay tuned - earlier timetable still holds for initial onslaught of showers and thunderstorms of 5-9PM in DC, 6-11PM in Philly, and 7-midnight in NYC.

1:10 PM | Updates on the heavy showers and scattered strong-to-severe thunderstorms headed to the region, the weekend meteor shower, and the NASA Wallops Island rocket launch

Discussion

The atmosphere has moistened up around here today with intensifying southerly winds just ahead of a powerful cold front that is now crossing the eastern Ohio Valley. There will be numerous light-to-moderate showers ahead of the front this afternoon, but the frontal system itself will be accompanied by heavy showers and scattered strong-to-severe thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening as it sweeps into the I-95 corridor. The most likely timetable for the wave of heavy showers and strong thunderstorms associated with the frontal system is 5-9PM in the DC metro region, 6-11PM in Philly, and 7-midnight across the NYC metro region. Steady rain will likely fall for awhile later tonight following that initial onslaught of showers and thunderstorms. All areas up and down I-95 could end up with an inch or more of rainfall by early Saturday morning at which time the front will exit off the east coast. Winds can gust up to 60 mph or so this evening in any strong-to-severe thunderstorm with the greatest chance of severe weather including isolated tornadoes from eastern Pennsylvania southwestward to the DC metro region. Skies will clear tomorrow behind the strong front and a chilly air mass will take hold in the Mid-Atlantic region. Temperatures will likely bottom out in the 30’s this weekend in many Mid-Atlantic suburban locations and frost is not out of the question in some of the normally coldest locations.

Two other notes – 1) the Lyrid meteor shower peaks late Sunday night/early Monday morning and viewing conditions should be quite favorable although it’ll be quite chilly for this time of year, and 2) the NASA Wallops Island, Virginia rocket launch is now set for 5PM on Saturday and conditions may very well work out for this scheduled launch time as high pressure builds into the Mid-Atlantic region. If indeed the 133-foot rocket is launched this weekend, it may be visible near the horizon in DC, Philly and NYC shortly after lift-off (in the southeastern sky in DC; southern sky in Philly and NYC).

7:00 AM | Soaking rain moves in courtesy of a strong cold frontal system; chilly air mass for the weekend

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly cloudy, windy, milder, a few passing showers through the mid-afternoon and then showers and thunderstorms likely at the end of the afternoon, highs in the upper 70’s

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms, windy, some of the rain will be heavy at times, turning cooler late, lows in the upper 40’s by morning

Saturday

Early morning clouds and possible lingering showers will give way to mostly sunny skies, breezy and noticeably cooler, low 60’s

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, cold, upper 30’s

Sunday

Mostly sunny, chilly, upper 50’s

Monday

Increasing clouds, chilly, chance for showers at night, upper 50’s

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, still cool, showers possible, low 60’s

Wednesday

Cloudy, milder, windy, showers and thunderstorms possible late in the day or at night, upper 60’s

Discussion

A strong cold front that has been crossing the country in recent days will bring showers and thunderstorms to the Mid-Atlantic later today and tonight and some of the rain will fall heavily at times. In fact, the I-95 corridor from DC-to-Philly-to-NYC should receive close to an inch of rainfall by early Saturday morning at which time the cold front exits off the east coast. High pressure will build across the region later tomorrow and Sunday and the air mass will be quite chilly for this time of year. Low temperatures both weekend nights should be in the 30's in many spots and frost is not out of the question in the normally coldest suburban locations. An area of moisture along the east coast could bring showers back to the region Monday night or Tuesday and then another strong west-to-east moving cold front is likely to cause more significant showers and thunderstorms around here by Wednesday night or Thursday of next week. One final note - the NASA Wallops Island rocket launch will happen no earlier than 5PM Saturday.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/moafyIjRoXg

12:15 PM | Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend; Update on the NASA Wallops Island rocket launch

Discussion

Lyrid meteor shower peaks this weekend

Earth has entered a stream of debris from ancient Comet Thatcher which passes Earth once every 415 years and is the source of the annual Lyrid meteor shower. The peak of this year’s meteor shower will occur late Sunday night (April 21) and early Monday morning (April 22), but glare from a nearly full moon is probably going to impede the view for most. In a darkened area, viewers can expect to see about 10-20 meteors per hour during the peak according to some NASA forecasters. The Lyrids – named because they appear to originate from the constellation Lyra – have been observed in mid-April for at least 2500 years according to NASA scientists. Skies will likely cooperate late Sunday night/early Monday for viewing the meteor shower in the Mid-Atlantic region, but it’ll be quite chilly for this time of year.

Update on the NASA Wallops Island Rocket Launch

The rocket launch that was scrubbed yesterday at Wallops Island, Virginia will be launched no earlier than early Friday evening. The launch on Wednesday was not scrubbed because of weather issues, but rather due to the premature separation of a launch pad connection to the rocket’s upper stage. I believe the weather late tomorrow will likely not allow for a successful launch as a strong cold front will be approaching the east coast so we may have to wait to hear for an update from NASA about possible launch windows beyond Friday if indeed tomorrow doesn’t work out. The rocket that is set to launch is an Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket that is 133 feet tall. This is to be the first launch of the Antares rocket, the first orbital launch of a liquid-fueled rocket from Wallops Island, and the largest ever launched there. According to an executive with the company “it is going to be the biggest and loudest and brightest thing that’s ever been launched from Wallops!” The rocket should be visible up and down the east coast for about 90 seconds after liftoff if skies are clear and you can find a clear view of the horizon. When the launch does occur, look about 10 degrees above the horizon in the southeast sky if in the DC metro region, and in the southern sky if in Philly or New York City. This rocket is being launched as part of a test mission with the goal of transporting cargo to the International Space Station. Real-time launch updates are available on the Wallops Island Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF

7:00 AM | Showers and thunderstorms by tomorrow night from strong cold front

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly cloudy, occasional showers through the morning hours, passing shower possible this afternoon, very mild, highs near 75 degrees

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, mild, chance for a few showers, lows in the low 60's

Friday

Mostly cloudy, windy, very mild, couple of passing showers possible during the early-to-mid afternoon then showers and thunderstorms likely late in the afternoon, upper 70’s

Friday Night

Showers and thunderstorms, some of the rain can be heavy at times, turning cooler late, upper 40’s by morning

Saturday

Becoming mostly sunny, breezy, cooler, low 60's

Sunday

Mostly sunny, chilly, upper 50’s

Monday

Sun followed by increasing clouds, chilly, near 60

Tuesday

Cloudy, milder, showers possible, mid 60’s

Discussion

A strong cold front will approach the region late Friday and it will bring a band of showers and thunderstorms into the Mid-Atlantic region and some of the rain is likely to be heavy by tomorrow night. The front pulls off the east coast early Saturday and cooler air will return to the region with highs on Saturday some 15 degrees cooler than the expected highs on Friday. High pressure will build across the region this weekend, but then a coastal low pressure system will make an attempt to ride up the east coast early next week possibly spreading more showers into the region by Tuesday. Another strong cold front will approach from the west at mid-week bringing another round of showers and thunderstorms to the east coast later Wednesday or Thursday.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/_kq_H-BgoJs

3:40 PM | **4:50PM UPDATE - LAUNCH ABORTED FOR TODAY** Wallops Island "largest rocket ever" launch at 5PM could be visible here

Discussion

UPDATE (4:50PM): LAUNCH ABORTED FOR TODAY

Assuming acceptable cloud conditions, there will be a rocket launch early this evening at NASA’s Wallops Island Facility that should be visible up and down the east coast. Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket is scheduled to launch at 5PM from the Wallops Island facility, but the launch window extends to 8PM. This will be the first launch of the Antares rocket, the first orbital launch of a liquid-fueled rocket from Wallops Island, and the largest ever launched there at 133 feet tall. According to an executive with the company “it is going to be the biggest and loudest and brightest thing that’s ever been launched from Wallops!” If the launch does occur, look at about 10 degrees above the horizon in the southeast sky if in DC, and in the southern sky if in Philly or New York City. This rocket is being launched as part of a test mission with the goal of transporting cargo to the International Space Station. Real-time launch updates are available on the Wallops Island Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF Latest cloud cover conditions look quite favorable for the scheduled launch at 5PM.

7:00 AM | Mild through Friday and then a strong cold front paves the way for a cooler weekend

6-Day Forecast

Today

A mix of clouds and sun, mild, highs in the mid 70’s

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, cool, chance for a few showers or some drizzle, lows in the mid-to-upper 50’s

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, very mild, chance for a couple of showers, upper 70’s

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, breezy, mild, chance for a couple of showers, near 60

Friday

Mostly cloudy, windy, very mild, chance for showers and thunderstorms later in the day and at night, mid-to-upper 70’s

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, windy, cooler, showers possible in the early morning, near 60

Sunday

Mostly sunny, chilly, upper 50’s

Monday

Becoming mostly cloudy, cool, chance for showers late in the day or at night, near 60

Discussion

A cool front has reached the Mid-Atlantic region and it'll keep it damp and cloudy for awhile around here today and the weather will stay somewhat unsettled right into Friday albeit on the mild side. By late Friday, a strong cold front will be approaching from the Midwest and there will likely be a band of showers and thunderstorms associated with the front in the Mid-Atlantic region Friday night into early Saturday. Noticeably cooler air will move in behind the front for the bulk of the weekend and it looks like a cool weather pattern will continue for much of next week as well.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/8-F2nx6jASU

1:15 PM | Winter hangs on in the southern Rockies and the Northern Plains - and for the New York Mets

Discussion

I’m not sure what the latest date is for a “snow-out” in major league baseball history, but if any team is going to threaten that record it is likely to be the New York Mets. They have had the unfortunate early season scheduling of going from Minneapolis, MN this past weekend to Denver, CO on Monday and have now been postponed on consecutive days due to springtime snow and ice. This is the first time the Mets have been postponed on consecutive days since Hurricane Irene hit the east coast in August of 2011.

Indeed, it is beginning to look like this may be a year without a spring across the Northern Plains and winter is hanging on tightly in the southern Rockies as well. Sunday saw the biggest 24-hour snowstorm ever in Bismarck, ND with 17.3 inches of accumulation and, at the same time, snow and ice caused the postponement of the Mets/Twins game in Minneapolis. Yesterday, the Mets/Rockies game was postponed in Denver as 7 inches of snow fell in the metro region which follows last week’s 6.5 inches of accumulation. Just to the north and northwest of Denver, 12-18 inches of snow accumulated on Monday from Boulder, CO to Fort Collins, CO and similar amounts are likely today in places like Cheyenne, WY and Laramie, WY.

Yesterday’s game was the first one “snowed out” in Denver since April 3rd of 2011. The Mets and Rockies will try to play a doubleheader later today and tonight, but the very latest weather observation in Denver had 32 degrees with 30 mph winds and snow showers in the general vicinity. The coldest game ever played in Denver occurred on April 12, 1997, against the Montreal Expos when the temperature was only 28 degrees. There is actually even more uncertainty for the game planned for tomorrow night in Denver between the Mets and Rockies as heavy snow is likely to re-develop there later tonight and continue through much of the day on Wednesday with an additional 6+ inches of accumulation expected by the time this latest storm exits to the east early Thursday. This next round of snow will again spread to the north and east over the next few days from the southern Rockies to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest with a foot or more possible in spots. Finally, the final game of this four game series between the Mets and Rockies is planned for Thursday afternoon and while it’ll be very cold, it looks like it will be dry enough to allow for the game to be played. The Mets then return home to New York City for a scheduled game Friday night against the Nationals, and, wouldn’t you know it, heavy rain will be approaching from the west by around that time as a strong cold front approaches the region.