Temperatures across the region topped out in the upper 80s to around 90 this afternoon. The warmth spread all the way to coastal communities, with a land breeze from the west. Tomorrow will bring more of the same for most of us, although along the Bay, readings will be a bit lower with a light onshore breeze early on eventually turning to the south.
A change later in the week...
A cold front will move into the region on Wednesday. We may see a few showers or thunderstorms pop up during the afternoon, although we don't expect a lot of rain. Behind this front, the major change will come in the temperature department. Average high temperatures later this week will be in the lower 70s, with a blend of sun and clouds expected Thursday and Friday. The big upcoming weekend looks very nice at this point, with ample sunshine, afternoon highs in the mid 70s and overnight lows in the upper 40s.
In the longer range...
It looks like next week we'll stay on the warm side, with near or above average temperatures expected. Our climate model data shows a possible trough across the Great Lakes and Northeast during the middle of the month that could cool us off a bit, but the upper ridge that is now building over the Central and Eastern U.S. will likely return later in the month, so those of you that like warm weather will get your share.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
A stormy Friday for some...
Damage in Gloucester County declared a weak tornado...
A warm front lifting through the area earlier today brought some strong thunderstorms, especially east of Richmond, from King & Queen over to Gloucester County. In Ark (Gloucester County), the National Weather Service determined damage to be associated with an EF0 tornado. The "EF scale" or "Enhanced F" scale is an update to the original F-scale to determine the strength of tornadoes. The winds associated with an EF0 tornado are estimated to be in the range of 65-85 mph. This storm in Gloucester produced damage that included a large tree on a house and roofs blown off horse stables. The tornado path was 3 to 3.5 miles long and 100 yards wide.
While there were some nasty storms in the eastern portion of Virginia, most of us escaped with just a few showers and rumbles of thunder. The warmer air took its time getting here and we didn't break into sunshine until this afternoon. That kept the air from becoming too unstable, therefore reducing the severe weather threat.
The weekend...
The upcoming weekend looks mainly dry and pleasant. The only fly in the ointment is an upper level trough that will swing through the Mid-Atlantic later Saturday afternoon and evening. This could trigger a few passing showers and possibly even a rumble of thunder. Otherwise, we should enjoy plenty of sunshine both weekend days, with afternoon temperatures well into the 70s.
Heating up early next week...
We'll then undergo another significant warm-up early next week, with readings in the lower 80s on Monday and approaching 90 degrees on Tuesday. Then another cold front will approach from the north, and this could trigger a round of thunderstorms on Wednesday. Following that frontal passage, temperatures should average in the seasonable 70s to end the new work week.
A warm front lifting through the area earlier today brought some strong thunderstorms, especially east of Richmond, from King & Queen over to Gloucester County. In Ark (Gloucester County), the National Weather Service determined damage to be associated with an EF0 tornado. The "EF scale" or "Enhanced F" scale is an update to the original F-scale to determine the strength of tornadoes. The winds associated with an EF0 tornado are estimated to be in the range of 65-85 mph. This storm in Gloucester produced damage that included a large tree on a house and roofs blown off horse stables. The tornado path was 3 to 3.5 miles long and 100 yards wide.
While there were some nasty storms in the eastern portion of Virginia, most of us escaped with just a few showers and rumbles of thunder. The warmer air took its time getting here and we didn't break into sunshine until this afternoon. That kept the air from becoming too unstable, therefore reducing the severe weather threat.
The weekend...
The upcoming weekend looks mainly dry and pleasant. The only fly in the ointment is an upper level trough that will swing through the Mid-Atlantic later Saturday afternoon and evening. This could trigger a few passing showers and possibly even a rumble of thunder. Otherwise, we should enjoy plenty of sunshine both weekend days, with afternoon temperatures well into the 70s.
Heating up early next week...
We'll then undergo another significant warm-up early next week, with readings in the lower 80s on Monday and approaching 90 degrees on Tuesday. Then another cold front will approach from the north, and this could trigger a round of thunderstorms on Wednesday. Following that frontal passage, temperatures should average in the seasonable 70s to end the new work week.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
The big storm is finally winding down...
The big monster storm still spinning off the Northeast coast has built quite a resume. It started in the nation's mid-section and then after passing Virginia, has walloped the Northeast over the last couple of days. Strong onshore winds have produced waves of 10-30 feet and significant beach erosion. Over 7 1/2 inches of rain fell in New York City on Sunday, the second wettest day on record for the Big Apple. Heavy snow fell from Pennsylvania into parts of New England, and this was one of the greatest April snowstorms on record in Central New York, where over a foot was recorded in Binghamton. The winds were impressive here in Central Virginia, but nothing like some of the gusts reported in the Northeast. They included 60 mph in both Wilmington, DE and Providence, RI, 81 mph in Cape Elizabeth, ME and an impressive 156 mph atop Mount Washington, NH.
The wind and clouds continue to diminish across our area, and tomorrow looks like a pretty decent day, with a blend of sun and clouds and afternoon temperatures near 60 (still about 10 degrees below average for this time of the year). A rather small storm crossing the Mid-Atlantic on Thursday will bring a few showers with it. Then drier and milder weather will take over on Friday and continue over the weekend.
Next week's outlook and beyond...
Warmer weather is definitely in our future. Temperatures should bounce above 80 degrees Monday and Tuesday. An upper level ridge will build over the Eastern U.S. and could keep us warm through much if not all of next week. In the longer term, our climate model data suggests a warm finish to April and mild to warm weather in early May. The upper level pattern looks like it will be nearly zonal (west to east), which should keep significant cold spells out of our area.
The wind and clouds continue to diminish across our area, and tomorrow looks like a pretty decent day, with a blend of sun and clouds and afternoon temperatures near 60 (still about 10 degrees below average for this time of the year). A rather small storm crossing the Mid-Atlantic on Thursday will bring a few showers with it. Then drier and milder weather will take over on Friday and continue over the weekend.
Next week's outlook and beyond...
Warmer weather is definitely in our future. Temperatures should bounce above 80 degrees Monday and Tuesday. An upper level ridge will build over the Eastern U.S. and could keep us warm through much if not all of next week. In the longer term, our climate model data suggests a warm finish to April and mild to warm weather in early May. The upper level pattern looks like it will be nearly zonal (west to east), which should keep significant cold spells out of our area.
Monday, April 9, 2007
The cold continues...
Yet another night with a Freeze Warning here in Central Virginia. Temperatures will get down into the upper 20s and lower 30s by sunrise. There were several record lows set in the Mid-Atlantic this morning, including Lynchburg, Wallops Island and Baltimore. Even though we'll start out cold tomorrow, the chill will ease a bit in the afternoon, with temperatures rising to around 60 degrees.
By the way, the snow on Saturday amounted to 1.0" at Richmond International Airport. That's three times what we received for the entire rest of the winter (0.3")!!
A few rain chances this week...
A storm system travelling to our northwest will throw some moisture our way on Wednesday, leading to a threat for showers later in the afternoon. There may be a few more passing showers early Thursday, although drier and milder air will work into the area to finish the work week. Another rain chance will come this weekend, but at this point it looks dry for the Strawberry Hill Races on Saturday. The rain chances will increase Saturday night into Sunday, when we may see some thunderstorms as well.
The longer term...
Behind the weekend system, another quick shot of chilly air is on tap early next week. It's still a little early to tell whether it will be as chilly as this last blast, and it should be somewhat brief. However, some quick temperture changes appear to be in order for the following week, with another shot of some rain around Thursday the 19th.
By the way, the snow on Saturday amounted to 1.0" at Richmond International Airport. That's three times what we received for the entire rest of the winter (0.3")!!
A few rain chances this week...
A storm system travelling to our northwest will throw some moisture our way on Wednesday, leading to a threat for showers later in the afternoon. There may be a few more passing showers early Thursday, although drier and milder air will work into the area to finish the work week. Another rain chance will come this weekend, but at this point it looks dry for the Strawberry Hill Races on Saturday. The rain chances will increase Saturday night into Sunday, when we may see some thunderstorms as well.
The longer term...
Behind the weekend system, another quick shot of chilly air is on tap early next week. It's still a little early to tell whether it will be as chilly as this last blast, and it should be somewhat brief. However, some quick temperture changes appear to be in order for the following week, with another shot of some rain around Thursday the 19th.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
The big chill is on this weekend...
Very cool weather will be with us through the upcoming Easter weekend. In fact, we'll make a run at some record lows, with a good chance of reaching the record on Easter morning. Here are the records for the next few days at RIC Airport:
Friday 4/6 27 degrees, set in 1975
Saturday 4/7 25 degrees, set in 1977
Sunday 4/8 28 degrees, set in 1990
Monday 4/9 27 degrees, set in 1972
On top of the chill, some of us may see some snow in the air early Saturday morning. An upper level disturbance swinging through the Mid-Atlantic will help to trigger the development of a surface low near the Virginia coast late Friday night. This will help to squeeze some moisture out in the form of rain and snow showers during the wee hours of the morning. Granted the air is quite dry, but this will be a pretty vigorous disturbance. Believe it or not, flakes could be in the air from the metro east. Coastal areas will have the greatest chances of potentially seeing a little white on grassy areas. This system will depart the coast rather quickly, so the sun will be back with us. However, there will be a brisk, chilly breeze keeping temperatures well below average in the 40s.
Our best shot at a record low is Sunday morning, when I expect readings to dip into the mid and upper 20s, with lower 20s in rural communities. Temperatures will moderate a bit Easter Sunday afternoon, with numbers in the low to mid 50s with a decent amount of sunshine.
Moderation is on tap early next week, with temperatures in the 60s to near 70 by Wednesday. Our next rain chances will come on Wednesday, as a front approaches from the west. Temperatures should then be above average later next week into the following weekend (April 15-16).
Friday 4/6 27 degrees, set in 1975
Saturday 4/7 25 degrees, set in 1977
Sunday 4/8 28 degrees, set in 1990
Monday 4/9 27 degrees, set in 1972
On top of the chill, some of us may see some snow in the air early Saturday morning. An upper level disturbance swinging through the Mid-Atlantic will help to trigger the development of a surface low near the Virginia coast late Friday night. This will help to squeeze some moisture out in the form of rain and snow showers during the wee hours of the morning. Granted the air is quite dry, but this will be a pretty vigorous disturbance. Believe it or not, flakes could be in the air from the metro east. Coastal areas will have the greatest chances of potentially seeing a little white on grassy areas. This system will depart the coast rather quickly, so the sun will be back with us. However, there will be a brisk, chilly breeze keeping temperatures well below average in the 40s.
Our best shot at a record low is Sunday morning, when I expect readings to dip into the mid and upper 20s, with lower 20s in rural communities. Temperatures will moderate a bit Easter Sunday afternoon, with numbers in the low to mid 50s with a decent amount of sunshine.
Moderation is on tap early next week, with temperatures in the 60s to near 70 by Wednesday. Our next rain chances will come on Wednesday, as a front approaches from the west. Temperatures should then be above average later next week into the following weekend (April 15-16).
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
A potent cold front is on its way...
We enjoyed another beautiful warm, sunny day across the region with temperatures back into the 80s. However, a strong cold front is poised to move through the area tomorrow. This front is helping to trigger severe weather across parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley this evening. It will track to the I-95 corridor by midday tomorrow. The timing of the front isn't favorable for many strong storms to break out, but there is the possibility of some isolated severe weather in eastern counties near the water during the early and mid-afternoon hours.
A blast of chill on the way...
Some very cool air will overspread the region by Thursday morning and we'll stay cool through the weekend. We're talking about temperatures some 10-15 degrees below average. Daytime highs will average in the mid 50s, with overnight lows in the 30s and some 20s in rural communities. We could come close to a few record lows, especially Sunday and Monday mornings.
The longer range...
Moderation will begin early next week, with afternoon temperatures reaching the 60s by Tuesday. There is the possibility of some decent rain during the mid-week period and then the pattern will shift again to a milder regime. The climate model data is showing a rather impressive upper ridge building over the Eastern U.S. later in the month, so the last couple of weeks of April could be on the warm side. Stay tuned...
A blast of chill on the way...
Some very cool air will overspread the region by Thursday morning and we'll stay cool through the weekend. We're talking about temperatures some 10-15 degrees below average. Daytime highs will average in the mid 50s, with overnight lows in the 30s and some 20s in rural communities. We could come close to a few record lows, especially Sunday and Monday mornings.
The longer range...
Moderation will begin early next week, with afternoon temperatures reaching the 60s by Tuesday. There is the possibility of some decent rain during the mid-week period and then the pattern will shift again to a milder regime. The climate model data is showing a rather impressive upper ridge building over the Eastern U.S. later in the month, so the last couple of weeks of April could be on the warm side. Stay tuned...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
