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The Heat Has Been Beat!

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The warmest stretch of the summer occurred in the 7-day period from August 31 through September 6! The mean temperature for the first 6 days of the month is an astounding 10 degrees above average and the highest temperature of the summer happened on September 2! Go figure! During that spell, Boston sweltered in 3 days of more than 90 degrees but it wasn't an official heat wave because the 3 days were not consecutive. Consequently, it seems very certain that 2014 will go into the record books without a single heat wave. Does that make you sad? Not me- I think the summer has been one of the best ever in my life with an abundance of warm days for all work and sports activities. Episodes of oppressive air were shortened by cold frontal passages and bursts of refreshing air from Canada. Most of the weekends except one were splendid. A negative for the summer was the lack of rainfall which impacted the landscape and the gardens in many communities. While MA received the average number of 3 tornadoes, it is unusual that 2 of these quick spin-ups randomly struck populated areas.

rainbowlightningThe September sizzle was squashed late Saturday by an outbreak of severe weather impacting mainly northern MA and extreme southern NH. Conditions were favorable for scattered strong to severe thunderstorms featuring gusty damaging winds, dangerous frequent lightning, torrential downpours and some hail. Two tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service based upon radar signature of rotation aloft. A survey team from the NWS discovered no tornadic activity but there were three microburst confirmations. Check out their Public Information Statement regarding their findings at the damage sites. Many locations also received some fierce straight-line wind gusts causing tree damage and power loss. Loads of lightning amounting to thousands of bolts resulted in some strikes. Quick street and urban flooding developed in spots. The WBZ Weather Team thanks everyone for sending in pictures of the volatile sky, lightning, pelting rain and damage. Check out this "2 for the price of 1" lightning-rainbow image from John in Dracut.

Peaceful weather returned yesterday and high pressure is in control for the next few days. With this pressure system building to the north, the clockwise flow will set up a rather brisk northeasterly wind at times especially along the coast particularly on the South Shore and Cape Cod today and tomorrow. Some high thin cloudiness will be streaming over southern New England this afternoon and it will be variable into Wednesday. That may filter the shine from the Full Harvest Moon which is the third s0-called Super Moon this summer! Midday and midnight high tides will be higher than usual over the next few days. The brisk northeasterly wind may enhance those tide levels a bit especially on Cape Cod.

 

2013_Model Satrad 72hrA couple of low pressure systems will be meandering south of New England this week. Most signs suggest that we will only see some cloudiness from these systems from time to time. There is a slight risk that some showers may blossom up over portions of Cape Cod tomorrow night into early Wednesday. We'll continue to monitor these circulations for any sign of tropical development. A cold front approaching from the Great Lakes could set off some showers and spotty boomers late Thursday. It is possible that some showers may visit Cape Cod Friday morning. After that, there is some risk that a wave of low pressure will run up along the floundering boundary to create some wet weather in the region on Saturday. That is not etched in stone just yet.

Concluding with some good news, the peak of the ragweed season has passed! Yay! In the allergy report, it appears that the pollen count will fall from the medium zone down into the low-medium zone this week.

You can watch Danielle Niles as she periodically delivers her weathercasts through 9 o'clock this morning on WBZ News. Eric Fisher follows at 10pm on myTV38 and 11pm on WBZ. Make it a great week!

 

 

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