The calendar says its spring, but as has been the case in many recent years, winter will not go away without a fight. A cold blast will arrive in the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast US on Saturday and by the time we get to the early part of next week, temperatures will be far below-normal for the latter part of March. In fact, this cold air outbreak will likely bring temperatures to below the freezing mark in most areas in the overnight hours early next week making outdoor sensitive plants quite vulnerable to damage. In addition to the cold, the chance for snow (or other forms of frozen precipitation) will return this weekend to the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast US and there may be other threats coming this way later next week.
Read More
One low pressure system will push to our northwest during the next 24-36 hours and a second one will form off the Mid-Atlantic coastline. The result around here will be periods of rain from this afternoon into early Friday and a strong thunderstorm or two can be mixed into the picture. Looking ahead, an impressive cold blast will arrive in the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend and highs on Sunday threaten to stay in the upper 40’s raising the possibility of near or slightly below-freezing readings by early Monday morning in many suburban locations and again early Tuesday morning (i.e., watch out for sensitive outdoor plants).
Read More
Spring has sprung, but that is not quite the end of the cold air outbreaks for the Mid-Atlantic region and the Northeast US. In addition, snow cannot be ruled out for interior sections this weekend with the influx of cold air and perhaps there will be another snow threat early-to-mid next week.
Read More
Rain is headed to the Mid-Atlantic region for the period from later tomorrow into early Friday as one low pressure system pushes to our northwest and a secondary forms off the coastline. High pressure will remain in control here for today, but clouds will increase later tonight and rain is likely to develop during the PM hours on Wednesday. Looking ahead, an impressive cold blast will arrive in the Mid-Atlantic region this weekend with highs on Sunday likely confined to 50 degrees or below and a chance to go below freezing on Sunday night.
Read More
There is a rocket launch scheduled for tonight at the NASA/Wallops Island facility and it may be visible to residents in the Mid-Atlantic region. A two-stage suborbital sounding rocket is scheduled to be launched in the window between 7 and 10 PM for a mission managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The purpose of this mission is to increase the understanding of the boundary layer transition, turbulent heating and drag on vehicles flying at hypersonic conditions.
Read More
The biggest weather story of the work week in the Mid-Atlantic region will be a rain event from Wednesday into at least Thursday night and then a cold blast of air will arrive this weekend. High pressure will be in control from today into tomorrow and then low pressure will move to the northwest of here from later Wednesday into Thursday resulting in occasional rain across the area. In addition, a secondary low will form off the coastline extending the rain event into Thursday night or perhaps even early Friday. A strong cold front will arrive here this weekend ushering in a pretty cold air mass for the latter part of March.
Read More
The work week will end on a very nice note with the return of sunshine after early day fog as high pressure edges into the region. After a noticeably cooler day on Thursday, temperatures will be boosted by the sunshine later today and climb into the low-to-mid 70’s during the afternoon. Low pressure will slide north of the region from later tonight into Saturday bringing with it the return of showers here and perhaps a couple of thunderstorms mixed in as well. Following a cold frontal passage, cooler air will push in for the second half of the weekend with highs on Sunday likely confined to the upper 50’s.
One final note, indications are that the cherry blossoms in DC will peak in about a week’s time...probably timed with the arrival of a pretty chilly air mass from our northwest.
Read More
Low pressure will head to just off the New Jersey coastline by later today bringing us more rain and noticeably cooler conditions than yesterday. Skies will clear some later tonight setting the stage for a very nice day on Friday to close out the work week. With the return of sunshine on Friday, temperatures will climb back to the lower 70’s. Showers return for late Friday night and Saturday - perhaps a thunderstorm as well - signaling the arrival of a cooler air mass for the second half of the weekend.
Read More
With high pressure still situated just off the east coast, the DC metro region will experience one more very pleasant and dry day with plenty of sunshine and afternoon highs near the 70 degree mark. Low pressure will head towards the east coast on Thursday bringing with it cooler conditions, plenty of clouds and occasional rain. With the return of sunshine on Friday, temperatures will climb to the lower 70’s for highs, but showers on Friday night and Saturday will signal the arrival of a cooler air mass for the upcoming weekend.
Read More
With high pressure situated just off the coast, the weather around here will remain pretty pleasant for the next couple of days with sunshine each day and mild conditions. Weak low pressure near the Mid-Atlantic coastline on Thursday will bring us plenty of clouds and a good chance of showers. Very mild weather will close out the work week with highs on Friday likely near the 70 degree mark. Showers on Friday night and Saturday will signal the arrival of cooler air for the upcoming weekend.
One final note, you may have noticed some purplish sunsets (and sunrises) in recent days and weeks. This is still the result of the Tonga volcanic eruption that took place back in January. Fine volcanic aerosols in the stratosphere scatter blue light which, when mixed with ordinary sunset red, produces a violet hue. The purple color is often preceded by a yellow arch hugging the horizon. As the sun sets, violet beams emerge from the yellow, overlapping to fill the western sky with a soft purple glow.
Read More
