7:00 AM | Still on the cool side despite plenty of sunshine

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly sunny skies, chilly, highs in the mid 50’s

Tonight

Becoming mostly cloudy, cold, lows by morning in the mid 30’s

Friday

More clouds than sun, still chilly, upper 50’s

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy, chilly, low 40’s

Saturday

Partly sunny, milder, mid 60’s

Sunday

Mostly sunny, comfortable, mid-to-upper 60’s

Monday

Mostly cloudy, milder, low 70's

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, mild, chance for showers, near 70

Discussion

Strong high pressure across New England will gradually slide off the coast today and a clockwise of flow around it will develop a strengthening ocean flow of air into our area. As a result, clouds will increase later tonight and tomorrow should feature more clouds than sun. In addition, temperatures will stay on the relatively cool side given the still chilly ocean temperatures just to our east. A cool front will move through the region on Saturday – likely on the dry side - and then more high pressure will take control of our weather for Sunday and Monday. The next front approaches the region by Tuesday and this should renew our chances for showers. One fly in the ointment for the weekend will be a developing late week low pressure system near the Southeast US coastline. It currently looks like it will slide off to our southeast and not impact our weekend weather in the I-95 corridor, but it still has to be closely monitored.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/6lhQg8zTa0s

2:00 PM | More on the impressive cold

[Snow cover today as seen by NASA/MODIS satellite across the Northeast and New England (still ice on Lake Erie)]

Discussion

This late season widespread cold wave has produced some impressive results:

1) 30’s or lower this morning for low temperatures in all of the 48 contiguous states

2) It has never been this cold so late in the year in many locations including the following: Binghamton, NY (19°), DuBois, PA (19°), Canton, OH (21°) and Syracuse, NY (22°)

3) Chicago received the most snow ever (1.4”) within three days of reaching 80 degrees

4) 1PM temperature today at Reagan National Airport (DCA) was 46 degrees despite the “August-equivalent” full sunshine (normal high is 66°)

5) Marquette, Michigan reached a record low this morning of 5° BELOW ZERO

6) The current ice cover extent of the Great Lakes is nearly 40% - never has it been above 20% this late in the year since satellite records began (1980)

7) Snow yesterday in Detroit put them over the top for "snowiest winter ever" which breaks the previous record set in 1880-1881

7:00 AM | Amazing chill has arrived following a touch of sleet and snow; temperatures modify by the weekend

[Widespread record or near record cold; map courtesy coolwx.com]

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly sunny, breezy and very chilly for this time of year, highs held to 50 degrees (normal high is now 66 degrees at DCA)

Tonight

Mostly clear and cold, patchy frost towards morning, lows by morning near 30 degrees

Thursday

Patchy frost early; otherwise, mostly sunny and still cool, upper 50’s

Thursday Night

Becoming mostly cloudy, cold, mid 30’s

Friday

Mostly cloudy, cool, upper 50’s

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, a bit milder, chance for showers, low-to-mid 60’s

Sunday

Partly sunny, seasonably mild, low-to-mid 60’s

Monday

Increasing clouds, milder, chance for showers by nightfall, upper 60’s

Discussion

A touch of sleet and snow indeed reached portions of the big cities last night along the I-95 corridor from DC-to-Philly-to-New York City. This puts an exclamation point on what was already a long and cold winter season with many Mid-Atlantic locations receiving the first snowfall back in early November and now the last snowfall (hopefully) in mid-April. The cold this morning is very unusual as well for this time of year with apparent record lows in the following Mid-Atlantic locations (and this is just a small sampling): Lancaster, PA (28 degrees), Harrisburg, PA (30 degrees), Allentown, PA (27 degrees), JFK Airport in NYC (32 degrees), Andrews AFB in DC metro region (32 degrees) and Scranton, PA (23 degrees).

It’ll stay on the chilly side today with those well below normal temperatures despite plenty of sunshine. Another cold night is on the way and patchy frost is quite likely in the northern and western suburbs towards morning. Temperatures will modify by the weekend back to near seasonal levels for this time of year.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/4chXynC6QuU

12:55 PM | **Temperature plunge to arrive by early evening in the big cities along the I-95 corridor**

[Noon temperatures across Pennsylvania; courtesy Penn State Campus Weather Service]

Discussion

The latest observations show a divided state of Pennsylvania with spring hanging on in the eastern half and “winter’s revenge” taking hold in the western half. Heavy rain continues to fall on the warm side of a powerful cold front now crossing the state from west-to-east, but snow is now falling on the cold side from Bradford, PA southward to Johnstown, PA and Clarksburg, WV - some of this snow will spread to the east side of the Appalachian Mountains later tonight.

By the end of the afternoon, the strong cold front will pass through the big cities along the I-95 corridor and temperatures will begin a sharp drop from the current still rather mild levels. Lingering rain showers this evening could very well mix with or change to sleet and/or snow in the I-95 corridor during the late evening and overnight hours. Temperatures by morning will be at or below freezing throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with some record lows possible and frost is likely to threaten the region early Thursday morning after a chilly day on Wednesday.

[Noon radar across Pennsylvania; courtesy Penn State Campus Weather Service]

7:00 AM | **After two of the warmest days so far this spring, significantly colder air moves in late today; could even see a bit of sleet or snow early tonight in suburban locations**

6-Day Forecast

Today

Periods of rain, heavy at times, maybe a thunderstorm or two mixed in, windy, mild this morning with temperatures not far from 70 degrees, but they will drop sharply later this afternoon

Tonight

Cloudy, windy and becoming much colder, lingering rain showers could even mix with or change to sleet and/or snow before ending, lows by morning near 30 degrees

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, windy and very chilly for this time of year, near 50

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, cold, patchy frost towards morning in suburban locations, lows near freezing

Thursday

Mainly sunny, a chilly start and then a bit milder in the afternoon, upper 50’s

Friday

Mostly cloudy, chilly, upper 50’s

Saturday

Partly sunny, breezy, mild, chance of showers, low 60’s

Sunday

Partly sunny, mild, low 60’s

Discussion

After the two warmest days of the spring so far on Sunday and Monday, big changes are on the way for the eastern part of the country. An impressive cold front is moving west-to-east this morning towards the east coast and it will bring a significant rainfall to the Mid-Atlantic region along with persistently strong winds and isolated thunderstorms. The front will usher in much colder air to region by the end of the day and there is a chance that it will get cold enough for lingering rain showers to mix with or change to sleet and/or snow this evening with the greatest chance for this possible changeover in the western and northern suburbs. Temperatures by tomorrow morning will be below freezing in most Mid-Atlantic locations and patchy frost is likely early Thursday morning. This late season cold shot will be quite widespread with well below normal temperatures by tomorrow extending from Canada all the way down to the Deep South.

2:00 PM | Much colder air pours into the region tomorrow night

Discussion

The latest observations show temperatures that are way above normal for this time of year in the Mid-Atlantic I-95 corridor with 80 degrees at Reagan National Airport in DC, 76 degrees in Philly, and 72 degrees at Central Park in New York City. Despite the impressive warmth of today in this region, there is actually an outside chance that sleet and/or snow are seen in these same locations tomorrow evening as much colder air pours into the area.

A powerful cold front will be moving from west-to-east towards the east coast on Tuesday and this will result in some dramatic temperatures drops behind the front as well as some significant differences across the frontal boundary zone. For example, during the mid-day hours on Tuesday, temperatures may be close to the 70 degree mark in southeastern Pennsylvania while, at the same time, they are in the 20’s in the northwestern part of the state. This frontal system will be accompanied by significant rainfall (1-2 inches) in DC, Philly and New York City along with persistently strong winds and there can be a few thunderstorms mixed into the picture.

As the colder air pours in early tomorrow night behind the passage of the frontal system, lingering rain showers can mix with or change to sleet and/or snow - even into the big cities along the I-95 corridor - but the greatest chance for this changeover to occur before the precipitation ends will be in the western and northern suburbs. In the interior, higher elevation regions of the Northeast U.S., there can even be a few inches of slushy snow later tomorrow (e.g. Appalachian Mountains). By Wednesday morning, temperatures will be at or below freezing throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and patchy frost will be possible early Thursday morning and perhaps even early Friday morning. Temperatures will then modify noticeably by the weekend.

One final note: there is a total lunar eclipse early tomorrow morning, but clouds are very likely to obscure the view in the Mid-Atlantic region; however, there will be another chance in September.

7:00 AM | Another day near 80 degrees then dramatically colder by mid-week

6-Day Forecast

Today

Some sun followed by clouds, still quite warm, windy, highs near 80 degrees

Tonight

Cloudy, mild, showers likely late, temperatures only dropping to the low 60’s for overnight lows

Tuesday

Periods of rain, heavy at times, maybe a thunderstorm, windy, warm early in the day in the upper 60's, but temperatures will drop during the afternoon hours

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, lingering rain showers that could even mix with or change to sleet and/or snow before ending, much colder late, windy, low 30’s

Wednesday

Partly sunny, breezy, very chilly for this time of year, near 50; patchy frost possible late at night

Thursday

Patchy frost possible early; otherwise, mostly sunny skies, still chilly, mid 50’s

Friday

Partly sunny, breezy, milder, near 60

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, breezy, mild, chance for showers, low 60’s

Discussion

The warmest weather of the spring so far in the Mid-Atlantic region will soon be replaced by a very chilly air mass for this time of year. That transition from the warmth to chill will be accompanied by a significant rain event on Tuesday as the leading edge of the colder air (i.e., cold front) slides towards the east coast. This next cold shot will become quite widespread as the colder air will spill all the way from Canada to the Deep South. Furthermore, there could be enough cold air intrusion into the eastern states to cause a changeover to sleet and/or snow in some of the interior, higher elevations of the Northeast U.S. (e.g., Appalachian Mountains) and it is not totally out of the question that the rain mixes with or changes to sleet and/or snow in the I-95 corridor before ending later tomorrow night. Overnight low temperatures will indeed drop to near or below the freezing mark in much of the Mid-Atlantic region during the mid-week time frame with patchy frost possible. The chill will continue in the Mid-Atlantic region into Thursday, but it'll turn milder late this week with the threat of showers returning by Saturday. One final note: unfortunately, it looks like it'll be cloudy early tomorrow morning for the viewing of the total lunar eclipse here in the Mid-Atlantic region, but there will be another chance in September.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/vUMDpdZ9A2Q

7:00 AM | Warmest weather yet for Sunday and Monday, but significant rainfall on Tuesday ushers in a much cooler air mass

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly cloudy, breezy, quite mild, chance for a shower or two, but mainly rain-free, highs in the mid 70's

Tonight

Cloudy, mild, showers likely, lows near 50 degrees

Saturday

Early morning clouds give way to sunshine, mild, near 70

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, comfortable, low 50’s

Sunday

Mostly sunny, quite mild, near 85 degrees

Monday

Becoming mostly cloudy, breezy, quite mild, chance for rain at night, upper 70’s

Tuesday

Periods of rain, breezy and turning cooler late, near 60

Wednesday

Partly sunny, breezy, much cooler and quite chilly for this time of year, low 50’s

Discussion

A cold frontal system will approach the region today giving us the chance for a shower or two, but much of the time will be rain-free. The front slows down some tonight as it grudgingly works its way through the region and the result will be a continuation of the shower threat for much of the night. The good news is that the front - and its associated clouds and showers - should move away from the region early tomorrow and this will set us up for a rather nice weekend. In fact, the warmest weather yet this spring will arrive on Sunday and continue into Monday before a significant cool down takes place later Tuesday and Wednesday. That cool down will be preceded by a strong cold front and significant rainfall is likely here late Monday night and Tuesday as the colder air mass arrives into the Mid-Atlantic region. This next cold shot will be quite widespread with the cold air plunging all the way down into the Deep South. Furthermore, snow is quite likely to break out late Tuesday in some of the interior, higher elevation locations of the Northeast U.S. (e.g., Appalachians). Unfortunately, the timing of the early week cold front is likely to greatly reduce our chances in the Mid-Atlantic region of observing the total lunar eclipse set for early Tuesday morning. The chilly weather that begins late Tuesday following the passage of the strong cold front will likely continue through Thursday, but then a warm up should then take place in the region in time for the Easter weekend.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/hTdDLRZLi3I

7:00 AM | Pleasant again today with windy and mild conditions; warmest weather yet this spring headed our way for Sunday and Monday before another chilly air mass heads south and east from central Canada

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly sunny, windy and becoming quite mild, highs near 70 degrees

Tonight

Partly cloudy, mild, lows in the lower 50’s

Friday

Mostly cloudy, breezy, quite mild, chance for a few showers primarily during the afternoon hours, maybe a thunderstorm or two, near 70

Friday Night

Cloudy, mild, showers likely, maybe a thunderstorm, near 50

Saturday

Early morning clouds give way to sunshine, breezy, mild, near 70

Sunday

Mostly sunny, very mild, upper 70’s

Monday

Becoming mostly cloudy, still quite mild, chance for rain late in the day and it is likely at night, upper 70’s

Tuesday

Chance for rain early; otherwise, mainly cloudy, breezy and turning cooler, upper 50’s

Discussion

High pressure will continue to control our weather today and an increasing SW wind will usher in slightly milder air compared to yesterday. A cold frontal system will approach the region on Friday with a few possible during the day, maybe even a thunderstorm, and then a wave of low pressure will ride along the front during Friday night generating more showers in the metro region. Clouds early Saturday will give way to afternoon sunshine and mild conditions. Sunday promises to be a great day with plenty of sunshine and very mild weather with highs approaching the 80 degree mark.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday will another very mild day with highs not far from 80 degrees ahead of a strong cold frontal system. That front will usher in a widespread cold shot for much of the eastern half of the nation by the middle of next week. The leading edge of this next cold shot (i.e., cold front) will likely produce a significant rainfall in the region on Monday night and early Tuesday before the much cooler air reaches the east coast. This expected rainfall on Monday night and early Tuesday could very well eliminate our chances for viewing the total lunar eclipse that is taking place early Tuesday morning. This next shot of cold looks like it will spread all the way down to the Deep South by mid-week. Wednesday and Thursday look to be on the chilly side of normal around here before the weather warms up again in time for Easter weekend.

Video

httpv://youtu.be/j21dOqM322w

7:00 AM | Lots of sunshine for today, but still a bit breezy and cool

6-Day Forecast

Today

Mostly sunny, breezy and a bit cooler than yesterday, highs in the low-to-mid 60’s

Tonight

Mostly clear, chilly, lows near 40 degrees

Thursday

Mostly sunny, windy, becoming quite mild, upper 60’s

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, mild, low 50's

Friday

Partly sunny, breezy, quite mild, chance for a shower or two during the day and showers likely at night, near 70

Saturday

Becoming partly sunny, still mild, upper 60’s

Sunday

Mostly sunny, quite mild, low 70’s

Monday

Mostly cloudy, still quite mild, chance for a showers late in the day or at night, low 70’s

Discussion

High pressure will control the weather for the next couple of days and while today will be slightly cooler than yesterday, there will be plenty of sunshine along with a stiff NW wind. It’ll turn milder on Thursday ahead of a cold frontal system that will slide through the region on Friday. An area of low pressure will ride along the front on Friday night likely causing periods of rain in the region, but it should clear out of here early Saturday to set us up for a pretty nice weekend throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Looking ahead, it looks like there will be another widespread cold shot for much of the eastern half of the nation by the middle of next week. The leading edge of this next cold shot (i.e., cold front) will likely produce a significant rainfall in the region on or around Tuesday of next week before much cooler air reaches the east coast. This next shot of cold looks like it will reach all the way down to the Deep South by mid-week.