Major Mid-Atlantic Storm

As a major storm system tracks from the Gulf States to the Mid-Atlantic the local area is experiencing quiet but seasonably cold weather conditions.  This storm system was responsible for severe weather including at least one tornado across the lower Mississippi River Valley on Friday. The storm system will affect the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast over the weekend while leaving the local area largely unaffected.  Conditions next week will become more active and temperatures will generally moderate especially towards the end of the week.

Currently a strong storm system is organizing over the deep South. It will track into western North Carolina as a coastal storm forms off the South Carolina coast. Snow will spread from the Mississippi Valley to the Mid-Atlantic during the day. Northeast Ohio will remain north of the action and will experience mostly cloudy conditions and high temperatures in the middle to upper twenties (20's).

On Saturday Northeast Ohio weather conditions will remain cloudy and highs will rise to near thirty (30) degrees. Similar weather conditions will also be experienced on Sunday. Further east a major storm system will be raging over the Mid-Atlantic. Heavy snow will fall from Virginia all the way up to New York City. Winds will increase out of the northeast creating blizzard conditions across the coastal areas. Conditions will improve on Sunday as the system tracks out to sea. 

The heaviest snow from the system will fall on areas from Northern Virginia to Southern Pennsylvania. The forecast snow amounts for the D.C. area is 24-30 inches, Philadelphia 18-24 inches and NYC 8-18 inches. The lone major east coast city to escape this storm will be Boston as a few inches will be possible in the city.

On Monday a new storm system will be organizing over the middle section of the country. It will track to the west and north of Northeast Ohio. This will allow above normal temperatures to move into the area as high temperatures rise to near forty(40) degrees. Overnight rain showers will move into the area ahead for the storm system.

Early Tuesday a cold front will move through the area. Early temperatures near forty (40) degrees will fall during the day with snow showers possible late in the day. There is a chance for lake effect snow most likely over the prime snow belt east of Cleveland. The lake effect chances will end on Wednesday as high temperatures will be near thirty (30) degrees.

On Thursday a clipper system will approach the area. Air flow out of the west and south should allow temperatures to rise into the middle thirties (30's). Another storm system will begin to affect the Pacific Northwest.

On Friday the storm system will push off to the east of the area. Arctic air will not return to the area as zonal flow across the country keeps the coldest air to the north of the Canadian border. High temperatures will again be in the middle thirties (30's). Looking ahead above normal temperatures seem likely for the end January and the beginning of February.

Temporary Warm-up

The local Cleveland area experienced the coldest temperatures since March of 2015 this past week.  In addition snow fell across all of Northern Ohio with the largest totals in the prime snow belt. Currently the area is experiencing above normal temperatures as a new storm system takes aim on area overnight. Once the storm system moves through cold Arctic air will flood into the area for the beginning of the week. The Lake Erie snow machine will come back to life as the cold winds blow across the lake once again. 

Currently the conditions across the area are very mild. Early morning temperatures started in the lower forties (40’s) and they will rise to around fifty (50) before the day ends. Rain associated with a storm system will move in overnight.

On Saturday the cold front will move through the area during the early morning hours. Early morning temperatures in the forties (40’s) will fall through the thirties (30’s) Early rain showers will change over to snow showers before noon.

On Sunday more cold area will move into the region. High temperatures will be in the twenties (20’s) though temperatures may fall during the afternoon. Snow showers will also increase in coverage and intensity during the afternoon and evening. Monday is to be the coldest day of the year as high temperatures in the middle teens (10’s) appear likely. Lake effect snow will be ongoing with the locations receiving the largest totals determined by the wind direction. Temperatures on Tuesday will rise a few degrees as the lake effect snow comes to an end. 

On Wednesday an Arctic high pressure will move nearby as a new system begins to take shape over the Southern Plains. High temperatures will rise a few more degrees into the middle to upper twenties (20’s).  The models diverge after this time but it appears that the deep trough will lift out from the Eastern USA as a more zonal flow develops.

New Year, New Weather Pattern

The year 2015 ended on an abnormally mild note with the local area experiencing the warmest December (43.9 average temperature) in recorded history. In addition it was the second least snowy December in history with 0.3 of an inch accumulating. Unfortunately areas to our south including Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee experienced violent tornadoes the last week of December which claimed twenty-four lives. The beginning of this month has brought more typical winter weather with the first true Arctic air mass over the area and lake effect snow. Milder air is in the cards as the week comes to a close but Arctic air and snow will return to the area starting the beginning of next week.

Currently the weather locally is cool and quiet. Clear skies allowed the early morning cold to be replaced with temperatures a few degrees above normal. Tomorrow morning will not be nearly as cold as this morning and high temperatures will rise a few more degrees into the lower forties (40’s). Today a strong storm system is moving into the West Coast with heavy precipitation.

On Friday morning a warm front will be approaching the area. Rain will develop during day as temperatures rise well into the forties (40’s). A storm system will organize over the Southern Plains and will move towards the Great Lakes. On Saturday the area will remain in the warm sector with rain falling occasional during the day. High temperatures will be in the upper forties (40’s).

On Sunday the first cold front will move through early in the day sending colder air into the region. A second cold front will move through later in the day with the Arctic air behind it. Rain showers will transition to snow showers with lake effect snow possible Sunday night into Monday. Early high temperatures on Sunday will be around forty (40) but will fall into the twenties (20’s) during the day. Monday and Tuesday will be cold and brisk as cold air will flow south out of Canada. Lake effect snow will be probable with the location dependent on the wind direction. High temperatures will at most rise into the lower twenties (20’s).

On Wednesday a quick moving system will pass through the area with a general light snow and a reinforcing show of arctic air. High temperatures will remain in the twenties.

The cold weather should remain for the rest of next week with a return to normal temperatures for the following week.