Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Leftover snow flurries wrapping up across the lowlands but persisting into the afternoon along our mountain counties today. Snow is not sticking at all except for in some of the higher terrain, where up to an inch has fallen. Low pressure continues to exit to our northeast as high pressure begins building from the Mississippi Valley. This will provide gradually clearing skies later today. By tonight, things will be clear, calm & very cold with lows falling into the mid 20s across out forecast area. Overall, our weather will begin to perk up as we kick November to the curb.

Forecast will stay dry into the weekend, but the cool air will linger for a bit...After a chilly start, Thursday will mainly sunny with highs only reaching the upper 40s. A few more chilly nights are on tap as well. Lows will fall into the low 30s into the weekend. But daytime highs will top out in the low & mid 50s Friday & Saturday.

Sunday will be warmer with highs in the low to mid 60s. We can also expect increasing clouds ahead of the next weather system. Rain returns in time to start the work week. We'll be talking about the next snowfall by the middle of next week.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Warm today with hit/miss rain showers lifting into our area from the southwest this afternoon. More widespread showers likely late today into tonight. Cold front will cross the Ohio Valley today and become stationary over the Appalachians to provide chance for periodic rain showers through the first half of next week. High pressure will dry things out in time for Thanksgiving Day & Black Friday.

Sunday...plenty of warm, moist air lifting into our area brings temperatures into the 60s this afternoon. But satellite imagery already showing low level clouds beginning to spread into the mountain state. A few sporadic rain showers will race across the forecast area into this afternoon. Southwest winds remain 5-10 MPH. Then more widespread showers will develop this evening & overnight. Mainly cloudy skies will keep temps modest tonight with lows holding in the mid/upper 40s.

Monday...leftover rain showers will be wrapping up in the early morning hours. But low level moisture will keep mainly cloudy skies on the horizon. As a result, daytime temps will only manage mid 50s before another shot of rain invades our area late Monday & Monday night. 

Tuesday and Wednesday will stay on the soggy side under mainly cloudy skies. Temps will stay well above freezing to keep precip in liquid form at least until overnight Wednesday/Thursday. Most of our forecast can expect to see 2 inches of new rain fall now through Wednesday...

This frontal system is expected to clear out of our area sometime Wednesday as high pressure and a quick blast of cold, dry air sweeps across our bow. Expect strong gusty winds during the day Wednesday & Wednesday night as these frontal boundaries battle for stability. By Wednesday night, temps will fall into the low 30s in the lowlands while our mountain counties see lows fall into the mid 20s.

Snow does not appear to be much of a threat this week. Although Wednesday night will be cold enough for snow, looks like very dry air will move in in time for Thanksgiving Day & Friday. Also, temps will rebound nicely during the day Thursday and will stay mild into next weekend.

Stay on top of the latest regional radar @ http://weather.unisys.com/radar/rcm_rad.php?image=rad&inv=0&t=cur&region=at

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Colder air settles in across our area today as winds turn from the northwest. High pressure builds in on the backside of that departing low pressure system. We finally dry out after much of our forecast area picked up nearly two inches of new rainfall this week. A few light snow flurries falling along our highest ridgetops today. Otherwise, that high pressure will keep our forecast dry into at least the first half of the weekend.

A few peaks a sunshine are welcome across the mountain state today. Cold, dry air providing clear skies tonight will do little to insulate the surface. As a result, we'll see a hard freeze as temps will fall into the mid 20s. Lows in the teens are possible in our mountain counties.

Friday & Saturday will stay dry with slowly moderating temps. Highs only reach the mid 40s Friday. Then we'll see another chilly night with lows falling to just below freezing. Saturday, warmer with highs in the upper 50s.

Sunday, warmer still as more moisture & warmer air lifts north from the Gulf region. This will trigger a few fragmented showers during the day on Sunday. More widespread rain is on tap for Sunday night/Monday. In fact that next system will keep our forecast soggy into Wednesday of next week. We'll dry out in time for Thanksgiving but cooler air will sag south an perhaps bring a few snow flurries for the busiest travel day of the year. Let's wait and see...

This photo was taken by the author at Cooper's Rock State Park.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Copious moisture & low pressure invading the Mid Atlantic states on a strong southerly air flow through the first half the this week.This results in above average temps coupled with gusty winds, widespread showers & isolated thunderstorms today through Wednesday. Cold front timed to cross our area early Tuesday will keep an unsettled forecast & cooler temps Tuesday/Wednesday. Much colder air will mix in to bring a chilly end to the work week. High pressure will return to round out a mild weekend. 

Today & tonight...Strong southerly air flow ahead of a cold front brings highs into the 70s today. A few impulses crossing the southern Great Lakes just north of our forecast area producing scattered shower activity this morning. Otherwise, much of the area will stay dry until later today. Main threat for thunder and possible tornado development runs from southern Illinois through much of Indiana & Ohio today. Folks near our westernmost border along the Ohio River remain on the eastern fringe of isolated severe threat this afternoon & overnight. Further east, we'll see a sun/cloud mix, breezy conditions this afternoon. Increasing clouds, widespread showers & isolated thunder are possible this evening. Some rain could be heavy into the overnight. Breezy tonight with lows in the mid 50s.

Cold front crossing our area Tuesday will keep scattered showers across our forecast area well into Wednesday. Flooding concerns will depend on the speed & track of any developing disturbances. Most of our forecast area could easily pick up an inch and a half of new rain through Wednesday. We may see NWS raise some warning flags for water concerns by midweek. 

We'll contend with dropping temperatures during this period as well. Highs Tuesday are only expected to reach the low 60s. Lows stay in the upper 40s/low 50s Tuesday night. Cold air on the backside of this cold front will bring about big changes in the forecast by Wednesday night. Lows fall to right around freezing by then.

Breezy & chilly conditions for Thursday & Friday. Winds turn from out of the northwest to bring temps into the 20s by Thursday night. So a few snowflakes by Friday morning are certainly not out of the question. Will watch for possible mixed precip & report on these changes later, as new data becomes available. Have a nice week & thanks for reading!

Today's image, courtesy of Unysis Weather depicts winds at 850 millibars lifting plenty of warm air into our area today. Check regional radar here  http://weather.unisys.com/radar/rcm_rad.php?image=rad&inv=0&t=l&region=at

Monday, November 7, 2011

High pressure at the surface & southerly air flow regime make for a wonderful start to the week. Warm air mixing in along with plenty of sunshine bring daytime temps into the upper 60s today & low 70s Tuesday. Nights will stay on the chilly side with lows in the upper 30s in the lowlands. Deep trough will progress out of the plains & across the Great Lakes by mid week. This will bring mainly clouds skies, breezy conditions, cooler temps and scattered rain showers Wednesday night/Thursday. Friday, high pressure will return to bring more nice weather to our area for the weekend. So have a nice week & thanks for reading!

Today's image courtesy of Unysis Weather shows all that warm air lifting north Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Weakening low pressure bows out this morning as high pressure & dry air continue to press southward. We're left with clearing skies and mild temps for the rest of this afternoon. We'll keep a dry forecast with chilly nights & mild afternoons through at least the middle of next week.

For tonight...We have a chilly night on tap tonight with temps falling into the upper 20/low 30s with a few spots in the mountains seeing temps into the teens tonight! Some very limited patchy fog is also possible along the river beds overnight. Elsewhere skies will stay clear.

Our weekend weather is lookin real nice! However, Saturday morning will still be on the chilly side for tailgating & kickoff for the Louisville game at noon in Morgantown. We'll see afternoon highs in the upper 50s/low 60s Saturday & Sunday even with plenty of sunshine on tap during the day.

Gradually warming temps are expected next week. Our dry forecast & mostly sunny skies prevail in typical Fall fashion into at least the first half of next week. Tuesday will be a wonderful day of weather with highs topping out near 70. Then another low pressure wave will scoot across the central plains, eventually bringing some wild weather into the mix for Wednesday night/Thursday...You see what I did there? Wild & Wonderful Weather...

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

High pressure with lots of sunshine & above average temperatures reaching the mid 60s today. We'll see some high level clouds moving into our area tonight with lows falling to around 40. Forecast will stay dry Thursday with highs well above, topping out in the mid 60s again. But low pressure organizing over the Midwest will track across the lower Ohio Valley, skirting mainly our southern zones Thursday night/Friday morning. We'll pick up a few scattered rain showers with only trace amounts expected.

System will exit east during the day on Friday as high pressure returns for the weekend. But cooler air associated with this system will knock our temps down a peg or two Friday & Friday night. Lows will fall into the mid 30s Friday night. With clearing skies expected, morning fog is a good bet on Saturday morning. Like I said, high pressure on tap for this weekend will keep mild, sunny conditions in the afternoon. Nights will be on the chilly side...Next rain-maker is timed for mid week next week.

Warm air lifting north will reach well into New England today & Thursday ahead of the low pressure further west! Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

High pressure brings dry & sunny conditions into Thursday with gradually warmer temperatures. Low pressure cold front sweeps across the eastern half of the country to bring a few showers by Thursday night/Friday. And then high pressure returns to finish out the weekend on a pleasant note.

For today...dense morning fog reducing visibility early this morning. Otherwise, Tuesday will be sunny with temps in the mid to upper 50s. Tonight will be another foggy night with clear skies & lows in the mid 30s.

Wednesday will be sunny & warmer with highs in the mid 60s. Southerly air flow ahead of the next front will keep above average temps into Thursday as well. Wednesday night look for patchy fog and lows in the upper 30 under mainly clear skies.

Thursday will be mainly sunny with highs again in the mid 60s. Then that low pressure system will cross the southern Ohio Valley to bring scattered rain & slightly cooler temps into the mix for Thursday night & Friday.

High pressure will return to keep our weekend full of sunshine & slightly above average temps for this time of year. A weak disturbance will clip our area again by Sunday night/Monday. And these mild weekends will become scarce. So enjoy this one!

Today's image courtesy of Unysis Weather...Lots of warm air mixing into the Mid Atlantic states for midweek...But cool air extends as far south as central Texas & sweeps across the eastern US Thursday & Friday.