Mostly clear to partly sunny skies early this morning will give way to mostly cloudy skies this afternoon as the pesky upper level low and surface low continue to drive clouds and occasional showers of rain and snow southward. Chance of a few light rain or snow showers this afternoon, becoming all snow showers early tonight. The best chance for precipitation is across Essex County with chances diminishing west of the city. Most of this activity will be very light and scattered as was the case yesterday. Unlike yesterday the wind will be gusty today making for a cooler feel to the air even though temperatures will be similar to yesterdays.
Finally, the low and upper level disturbance will begin to pull away from us after meandering in northern New England and into the waters just south of Nova Scotia. However, coastal regions may find it difficult to get rid of the cloudiness and a stray shower could still graze the coastline during the afternoon and evening. Winds will diminish, with temperatures running near seasonal.
A storm tracking through the Tennessee Valley is expected to emerge into the Atlantic near the Virginia Capes on Wednesday morning. Most computer guidance has this storm becoming a major storm but moving far enough south of New England with the heaviest precipitation remaining offshore. Having said that we will remain under the influence of gusty east to northeast winds and some minor coastal issues may be of concern. The strong and persistent onshore flow could bring periods of rain and snow showers Wednesday and Thursday.
As the large ocean storm departs Friday conditions should slowly improve from west to east. Once again the coast may hang onto the cloudiness and even a sprinkle or snow shower early in the day. With a ridge of high pressure expanding southward out of Canada the overall trend will be for decreasing clouds as we approach the weekend.
As always any changes to the forecast track, especially more of a northerly track, will bring more significant impacts to the area.
Five Day Outlook:
Today: Clouds fill in by afternoon as it becomes mostly cloudy. Chance of a rain or snow shower. High temperatures in the upper 30s. Northwest winds may gust to near 30 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy and breezy. Chance of rain showers changing to snow showers, especially along the coast and north of the city. Lows upper 20s inland to low 30s on the coast. Northwest winds 8 to 15 mph, may gust to 20 mph in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, highs in the low 40s. Chance of an isolated shower near the coast. North winds 5 to 15 mph.
Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, chance of a rain or snow shower. Lows near 30 inland to mid 30s on the coast.
Wednesday through Thursday night: Mainly cloudy skies, chance of rain and snow showers. Windy and cool. Highs near 40 and overnight lows in the low to mid 30s.
Friday: Clouds slowly giving way to sunshine inland, remaining mostly cloudy near the coast. Highs in the low to mid 40s.
Comments