Catching a Break!
Another large cyclone is spinning and strengthening to our south this evening...much of the Mid-Atlantic has been pasted with heavy, wet snow. Normally a storm in that position this Winter has marched right up the coast and walloped us with many inches of snow but not this time. The blocking downstream from us is so extreme that the atmosphere over the Canadian Maritimes is moving from east to west...backwards...this movement will keep the Mid-Atlantic storm from moving north and instead it will move due east, out-to-sea. We will still be on the northern edge of the precip and steady rain/snow will overspread the South Coast this evening resulting in some slushy coatings for locations south of Route 44. A piece of this storm will merge with the upper level system in the Canadian Maritimes locking us in a persistent and rather uneventful pattern through the rest of the week.
The developing pattern will lead to more seasonable temps for a change. Flow will be out of the NW keeping temps in a 45-50 degrees range...the breeze will create brisk conditions at times, especially when in the shade or when the sun goes behind the clouds. Speaking of clouds, I expect quite a few to develop during the daytime...that's called diurnal...so in the end there will be more clouds than sun each day. There will also be a few spokes of upper level energy rotating around the Maritimes storm...a few drops or flakes will be possible from the associated lift Thursday through Saturday.
It's a bit off, but Easter Sunday is looking very nice...the storm to our NE will start moving away and ridging will take over on the East Coast...lots of sun and milder temps in the lower 50s...perfect for Easter egg hunts!
