We just missed out on some light snow today as it slid south of the Pioneer Valley and over the Connecticut south coast, New York City metro and Long Island. As the precipitation moves harmlessly away from our area this evening skies will partially clear overnight. Expect another cold night as readings will range from 16 to 22 degrees by morning. Light winds about 5 mph or less from the northwest.
Saint Patrick’s Day is looking to be mostly sunny and quite chilly as Canadian high pressure takes hold of our weather. If you are heading out for the parade be sure to bundle up. Highs will range from 33 to 37 degrees. Winds are expected to gust to 25 mph from the northwest, reducing wind chills into the 20s. Despite the sunshine it will feel like winter out there. Another cold night is on tap for Sunday night, even colder from recent nights, with the mercury tumbling to 14 to 18 degrees. Winds will turn more northerly and slacken to 10 mph or less overnight.
Monday is to start out sunny and cold as the high crests over New England. Clouds will be on the increase in advance of a storm system that is destined to give us stormy weather through Tuesday. Highs on Monday remaining below normal at 33 to 37 degrees. Winds will gradually become southeast less than 10 mph.
Monday night is when we think the action begins as low pressure approaches. One low over the Great Lakes will give way to a developing coastal low south of New England. As the energy transfers to the coastal low it is expected to blow up into a significant coastal storm. The track of the storm is forecast to pass across southeast Massachusetts and into the Gulf of Maine Tuesday. As is usually the case this time of year the forecast can be tricky. With enough cold air in place we should start out with a burst of snow Monday night, with a good chance of mixing with and changing to rain on Tuesday, except possibly remaining as all snow or a mix in the hilly terrain. Depending on how long the cold air remains in place is the challenge as to how much snow falls before mixing with or changing to rain. A slight shift in the track and this changes the precipitation type and who gets accumulating snow. We will keep you posted on what will likely be an important storm for the area. Low temperatures Monday night should be 26 to 30. Highs on Tuesday 32 to 36 and the mercury dips back to near 25 late Tuesday night.
Tuesday mornings commute could be challenging, especially in those areas that have not mixed with or changed to rain. Again, the precipitation issues change if the track of the storm shifts further inland, mostly rain would fall, or a bit further east and the cold would hang in and mostly snow would fall. Stay tuned.
Precipitation winds down later Tuesday night and a partly cloudy and blustery day will be with us on Wednesday. Highs only around 35 degrees. Lows near 25 degrees.
Below normal chill continues into Thursday and Friday, with moderating temperatures by next Saturday.
Although most of us would like it to be over, winter is not finished here just yet. In case your wondering, the Groundhog was completely wrong as winter continues!
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