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More Tropical Downpours

sep2FLOODWATCHWhile copious amounts of rain fell in tropical downpours yesterday, the action was restricted to a relatively small area yet impacting a large population in some Metro West communities. This small zone received 2 up to almost 6" of rain with the highest total of 5.74" reported by our longtime faithful weather spotter in Natick. Those downpours were very slow-moving but that should not happen today. As a trough of low pressure amplifies into the eastern portion of the nation today, the steering currents will become busier and escort the showers along faster. Nevertheless, there will be some passing drenchers with lightning and thunder in some of them. Consequently, the National Weather Service has issued a  FLASH FLOOD WATCH through this evening. Presently, while some brief flooding and nasty cloud to ground lightning will occur in places, the atmosphere is not prone to produce any severe weather today in terms of any widespread damaging winds or large hail. With that said, there could be some spotty quick bursts of wind and perhaps some small hail in a few isolated cells especially this afternoon and early evening. Yesterday's weather was highly variable as some areas were being pummeled with rain while others enjoyed warm sunshine and near 85 degrees. I am anticipating some but probably less sunshine across the region today as some brightening episodes materialize. On the other hand, fog may be persistent but thin out somewhat from the northern Essex coastline up through the NH Seacoast into coastal ME. In this region, a quasi-stationary frontal boundary will lower the risk of brightening especially at the beaches. The disgusting oppressive humidity remains locked in over the region and I cannot wait for that to depart later tomorrow. A cold front now over the Midwest is approaching and will shift offshore by later tomorrow afternoon. Until that happens, we are vulnerable to this showery regime but the coverage should decrease this evening then refire tomorrow over eastern sections. The risk for a more potent storm is higher tomorrow as the instability ramps up a bit especially if some breaks of sunshine occur. Expect high temperatures in the upper 70s to near 80 today then into the lower 80s tomorrow after lows of 65-70 tonight.

sep2WEDNESDAYLooking ahead, it will be a wonderful Wednesday as a nice brisk westerly flow of air develops ahead of a cold front diving out of central Canada.  The air will be delightfully dry but warm as abundant sunshine sends the highs into in the lower 80s. The cold front will be slicing southward across southern New England Thursday morning providing the risk of a brief mostly light shower. It will be cooler with highs in the middle 70s. A large zone of high pressure moving out of south central Canada will cross the Great Lakes then build into the Northeast so Friday will start chilly with daybreak temperatures in the middle 40s to middle 50s. As the high pressure system shifts to the south of New England, the resultant clockwise flow and southwesterly wind will drive milder weather back into the region on Saturday. It should warm up to a bit over 80. The next cold front will take a similar route to its predecessor and perhaps produce a brief shower in southern New England on Sunday. After that, a lobe of high pressure will build southeastward from Ontario into our region supplying bright sunshine and more crisp weather on next Monday and Tuesday.

sep2TropicsThe hurricane season is fast approaching its average peak which is on the 10th of this month and it has been unusually quiet so far. So much so that there were no August hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin. Click the link for an interesting read. This has happened only 25 times over the past 161 years of records! Currently, the National Hurricane Center is watching an elongated area of low pressure over the eastern Caribbean. This suspicious spot has a medium chance of evolving into a tropical cyclone over the next 5 days.

 

 

SEPTpreview

It's back to the reality of work and school for most people tomorrow. See what an average September brings to the Boston area.

 

 

Eric Fisher will post his blog early this evening and Todd Gutner returns early tomorrow morning from his long holiday weekend.

Make it a great day!

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