Copious amounts of moisture were being drawn up from both the Gulf of Mexico and the subtropics over the eastern Pacific Ocean thanks to the development of a rather strong storm system over northern Mexico early this morning. The good news for the Capital Region is that a protective dome of high pressure was centered to the east of the area, along an axis from roughly the Saint Lawrence Valley to the Carolina coastline. This will serve to keep the developing storm on a more northerly track, as opposed to a northeasterly track, through the next several days.
Across the northern tier of states, along the Canadian border, will skirt a cold front. The frontal system is forecast to sweep through the Capital Region overnight tonight, keeping breezy conditions in the forecast for the overnight period tonight. Despite the front's passage, the wind fields should help keep temperatures from going into free fall overnight tonight, as they have done the past few evenings. High pressure builds back into the region on Thursday and lasts through Thursday night before clouds begin to increase once again.
Although the large storm system mentioned above is forecast to track into the upper Great Lakes by Friday night and into Saturday, the precipitation field is forecast to extend well north and east of the low pressure center, with mainly light precipitation expected over the Capital Region beginning on Friday afternoon and evening, and lasting through the bulk of the weekend. Also, with the large storm staying to our west, southerly to southwesterly winds around the circulation of the system will likely spike daytime high temperatures into the 40's for the end of the work through this time. Temperatures may not even dip below freezing during the overnight periods on the weekend.
...Below is the official forecast for the Capital Region and vicinity...
Today: Mostly sunny and mild for this time of year. High near 45. Southerly winds 5-10 MPH.
Tonight: Variably cloudy to start with gradual clearing late at night. Breezy. Low near 30. Southwest winds 5-10 MPH early, shifting west and increasing to 10-20 MPH with some higher gusts to near 25 MPH possible at times.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. High near 40. Northwest winds 5-15 MPH.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear with some increasing high clouds after midnight. Low 20-25. Light and variable winds.
Friday: Increasing clouds with periods of light rain and showers developing. High near 40. Southeast winds 5-10 MPH. Chance of rain is 50 percent.
Saturday: Overcast with a 40 percent chance of rain and showers. High near 45 and low near 35.
Sunday: Overcast and mild for this time of year, with a 40 percent chance of rain and showers. High near 50 and low near 35.
Monday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine with a 30 percent chance of a shower. High near 45 and low near 35.
Useful links...
Capital Region Weather Examiner Home Page
Capital Region Weather Examiner Facebook page
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