March is proving it can be an odd month with all sorts of weather. With cold snaps, mild spells, and even snow, it's a spin of the weather wheel lately. More of the same is expected into next week, including a strong storm in the East.
This month at MacArthur Airport has given Long Islanders a variety of weather conditions. Six of the first 16 days have featured at least a trace of snowfall. Conversely, four of the 16 days this month have featured a high of over 50 degrees. The result is an average temperature of nearly one degree above normal, making March 2013 above average halfway through.
Saturday's snowfall ended up as more of a nuisance for festivities celebrating the St. Patrick's Day weekend. Temperatures remained in the 30s all day as the wet snow continued with a few heavier squalls. The pattern is quite active south of Long Island, with another weak storm passing by on Sunday. This should bring a few more clouds to the area, but there will be times of sun. The temperatures, however, may not get much above 40 degrees for a daytime high. Clouds return on Monday.
A strong storm, just getting going in the West, will affect the Northeast by Tuesday. It could be a big snowmaker to the mountains of Upstate New York and New England, but is seen largely as a rain and wind storm Monday night into Tuesday for Long Island. The precipitation looks to start by late afternoon Monday, making for an "interesting" evening commute. The type looks to be a mix of rain, sleet, and wet snow. Temperatures will be around the mid 30s, and the aid of the March sun angle should allow for no accumulation. By midnight, any mix changes to rain, and temperatures rise into the 40s on Tuesday.
Winds may gust to 40 mph, and tides may be a bit above normal, causing concern once again for coastal communities.
After this storm departs, it stalls and gets caught up in upper level features described as a "block." An upper level low spins at least for a few days, perhaps into next weekend, over the Canadian Maritimes. For Long Island, this means a lingering winter chill and chances of rain and snow on occasion.
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