Monthly Archives: May 2015

NYC Weather Update – May 31, 2015

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We start the week off with some much needed rain and a noticeable cool down in temperatures. Scattered thunderstorms increase in coverage later today and transition into more widespread showers that are expected to persist into the overnight hours. The start of the week will be rainy, cloudy, and cool under the influence of a Canadian maritime airmass. By midweek, we get back into more fair conditions with the sun returning and temperatures back in the mid-70s.

Rest of today – the Storm Prediction Center has placed areas of Northeastern New Jersey in a slight risk area for severe thunderstorms later. Based on latest radar trends and the High Resolution Rapid Refresh model’s output, it would appear that thunderstorms are likely to develop over portions of New Jersey highlighted in the slight risk area, then track eastwards into the NYC metro area later this afternoon into the early evening hours. With breaks in the clouds for sun, we’ll hit temperatures in the low-80s, which when coupled with ample moisture, should support thunderstorms with the potential for heavy rain.

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High Resolution Rapid Refresh model output for 8PM EST
High Resolution Rapid Refresh model output for 8PM EST

Monday – all the activity occurring today and going into the overnight hours is associated with a cold front that is moving south into our area. As this cold front pushes through, east-northeast winds will set up, allowing a cooler, Canadian maritime airmass in. This will translate into cooler than average temperatures only in the mid-60s with showers likely throughout the day.

Tuesday – wet, cool weather continues Tuesday with highs again only in the mid-60s and the ongoing chance for rain showers throughout the day. This extended period of rain from later today into Tuesday should bring some relief to the moderate drought conditions over parts of the Northeast, with the potential for as much as 4″ of rain over the period in certain parts of the region.

Possible total rainfall over the next 48 hours
Possible total rainfall over the next 48 hours

Wednesday – high pressure finally builds back in Wednesday, pushing away the rainy weather, and yielding pleasant temperatures in the low-mid 70s under partly cloudy skies.

Thursday – slightly warmer than Wednesday, with highs in the upper-70s in NYC.

NYC Weekend Weather & 2015 Hurricane Season Forecast – May 28, 2015

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Yesterday, portions of our area got some much needed rain from a round of thunderstorms associated with a prefrontal trough. Today, we get another shot at rain and thunderstorms as the primary cold front actually pushes through. Behind that front, things cool off and dry out for Friday, before the humidity returns on Saturday. Things should stay dry Saturday, but we will see a more substantial chance at widespread rainfall Sunday with the passage of another cold front. Also of note, the National Hurricane Center released its outlook for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, calling for a below normal season.

Rest of today – clouds give way to sun with warm temperatures in the mid-80s. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to form later this afternoon. The atmospheric setup today is a bit more favorable to showers and thunderstorms being able to persist into NYC and western Long Island, unlike yesterday when these showers essentially died out as they hit the stable marine air layer near the coast. The exact location of where storms form and move into will still be tricky to pinpoint even at this time.

High Resolution Rapid Refresh model output simulated radar for 3PM EST today.
High Resolution Rapid Refresh model output simulated radar for 3PM EST today.

Friday – once the frontal boundary passes through later today, it will usher in a much cooler and drier airmass for Friday. Temperatures should top out in the mid-upper 70s (still 5-10ºF above normal) under sunny skies.

Saturday – temperatures will be slightly warmer in the low-80s on Saturday with an increase in humidity as well. There could be a slight chance for scattered thunderstorms later in the day as well.

Sunday – another cold front passes through the region Sunday, bringing with it the chance for more substantial and widespread showers. Temperatures will also cool off to around normal, in the low-mid 70s.

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2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

The National Hurricane Center released its initial outlook for the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season that officially starts on June 1st. As you’ll see from the graphic below, forecasters are calling for a below normal season with 6-11 named storms (tropical storms with sustained winds greater than 39mph). Of these named storms, forecasters think 3-6 have a chance to intensify into hurricanes (maximum sustained winds greater than 74mph), and of those hurricanes 0-2 could become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher, maximum sustained winds greater than 111mph). Outlook_2015_FINAL

 

The primary reason for the 70% probability of a below normal season is the disruptive effect of El Niño in the Eastern Pacific, which is known to alter the pressure and air currents over the tropical Atlantic, dampening the formation of hurricanes. On the other hand, the above average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific associated with El Niño are expected to induce an above average Pacific Hurricane/Typhoon season. Read the full statement from the NHC here: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2015/20150527-noaa-hurricane-outlook-below-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season-is-likely-this-year.html

NYC Weather Update – May 26, 2015

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It certainly does feel as though Memorial Day 2015 has been the unofficial start of summer, given the warm and humid temperatures we’ve had from Sunday onwards. The warm, late-June like temperature trend continues through mid-week, with some chance for thunderstorms. Rain in any form would be most welcome, given that the region has been placed in a region of moderate drought as of this week.

Rest of today – the Bermuda high, more typical of mid-summer, brings us very warm and humid high temperatures in the mid-upper 80s, more than 15ºF above average for this time of year. If you like the heat, go out and enjoy it because we might see showers and thunderstorms both Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

Wednesday – a weak cold front approaches from the west, bringing with it a chance for showers and thunderstorms. The critical question for NYC will be how long organized storms can stay together as they enter into influence of cooler, maritime air nearer to the coast. Temperatures will remain warm in the low-mid 80s with clouds and some breaks of sun. As is generally the case in these setups, the more sun we can get in the afternoon ahead of the frontal bou

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North American Model high resolution simulated radar image for 8PM EST Wednesday

Thursday – we get another shot at thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening, with highs likely topping out around 80 under mostly cloudy skies.

 

Moderate Drought for the Region Forecast to Persist

We’ve had an remarkable run of sunny, rain-free days, and above average temperatures for much of May (and indeed even going back a couple of months), and while that’s translated to pleasant weather for outdoor activities, it also has meant that we’ve entered into a stretch of moderate drought. We had a stretch of no rain for 23 consecutive days, earlier this month, which definitely didn’t help things. According to the USDA Drought Monitor, Central Park recorded 7.12″ of rain from March 1st through May 19th, which is only about 63% of average for this time of year.

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While we are only in the lowest tier of drought and were just added to this category this week, these drought conditions bear watching. We hope to get some rain out of this week, and it looks like more storms are on the way this weekend, however, the drought forecast for our region looks to have the drought persist through this summer.

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NYC Memorial Day Weekend Weather – May 21, 2015

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We’ve had a cloudier, cooler middle stretch of the week than expected, however, the payoff will be a splendid Memorial Day weekend. All three days of the long weekend look to be suitable for outdoor activity, with Sunday probably being the best day with warm highs in the mid-70s. There could be a chance of thunderstorms late Monday, and this will bear monitoring.

Rest of today – mostly cloudy today due to the influence of a low pressure system to the south, which will be moving out over the Atlantic today. There could be a few showers associated with this coastal low, but these would be primarily confined to NYC and Long Island. Otherwise, northeast winds associated with the low along with clouds overhead will act to suppress high temperatures in the low-60s.gfs_namer_024_1000_850_thick

 

Friday – showers are possible overnight from today into Friday morning, then clouds should clear in the morning, although they may reappear for later in the afternoon. Still, it will be a considerably sunnier and warmer day with high temperatures in the mid-70s.

Saturday – high pressure builds to our west giving us sunny skies, with the tradeoff being cooler temperatures and winds coming in from the north and northwest. Highs should top out in the mid-60s.

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Sunday – once the high above shifts to the east, clockwise flow around it will turn to the south and southwest, meaning we will get much warmer air coming into the region. High temperatures should be able to climb into the mid-upper 70s, especially if cloud cover is minimized.

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Memorial Day Monday – it looks as though a warm front will be trying to push its way through the area on Monday, so there may be some chance of thunderstorms or showers along this frontal boundary, but it’s not easy to pinpoint how wide the coverage of these would be, or what the duration is at this point. Outside of this chance for some precipitation, the rest of Monday should be pleasant with highs again in the mid-70s, albeit with more cloud cover than Sunday.

NYC Weather Update – May 18, 2015

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This week starts off with a backdoor front over us, bringing us much cooler temperatures than yesterday, as well as patchy dense fog. Tomorrow, the Canadian maritime airmass responsible for these conditions will be replaced by a warm, moist airmass originating from the Gulf. By mid-week, a passing cold front will usher in seasonable, and dry conditions to the region.

Rest of today – mostly cloudy, cool, with an easterly wind suppressing temperatures, which will top off in the mid-60s.

90fwbg

 

Tuesday – the backdoor front above will move back north overnight as a warm front. This will allow a transition to a southwesterly flow, which will bring warm, Gulf air into the area. High temperatures should be in the mid-70s amidst cloudy skies, punctuated by periods of rain as a cold front approaches from the west. There is some chance at a couple thunderstorms as well.

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Wednesday – when the cold front moves through late Tuesday, it will set up cooler, but pleasant, dry, and sunny conditions on Wednesday. High temperatures around 70.

Thursday – the good weather continues with mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low-70s.

NYC Weekend Weather (Brooklyn Half Marathon) – May 14, 2015

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This week ends off with pleasant, sunny, dry weather, and temperatures slightly above average in the low 70s. We get a chance at some much needed rain (there were actually brush fires yesterday, giving you an idea how dry it’s been), but the unfortunate part is that the rain will likely occur in periods on Saturday. Sunday will be better, as it doesn’t look like the rain sticks around that long.

Rest of today – a gorgeous spring day with high pressure in control, yielding a cloud-free and seasonable day with highs in the low 70s.

High pressure firmly entrenched over us today and tomorrow.
High pressure firmly entrenched over the region today and tomorrow.

Friday – expecting more of the same during the day, mostly sunny and mild with temperatures topping out again in the low 70s. Later Friday night, there could be a few showers and thunderstorms that develop as an approaching frontal system nears the area.

Saturday – lingering showers and maybe a thunderstorm or two in the morning, but it does not appear the entire day will be a washout. We’ll be in the warm sector which should allow for temperatures to approach 80 or slightly higher, depending on the cloud cover situation in the afternoon hours. Sadly, I know this is not what all you runners that are going to be doing the Brooklyn Half Marathon want to hear.

North American Model high resolution output for Saturday at 11AM, showing the possibility of showers.
North American Model high resolution output for Saturday at 11AM, showing the possibility of showers.

Sunday – at this point, it appears Sunday will be dry, with more clouds than sun, and temperatures remaining warm in the upper-70s. A blocking high pressure center over the Gulf of Maine should be enough to prevent rain from entering the area. gfs_namer_108_1000_850_thick

Monday – the high pressure depicted above will retreat eastward a bit, which would allow for a better chance of rain later Monday evening/night into Tuesday. During the day, conditions should be dry with partly sunny skies and a high near 70.

NYC Weather Update – May 11, 2015

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This week will be a tale of two airmasses, starting with a warm, moist, maritime tropical one, and transitioning to a more seasonable, cool, dry, continental polar airmass (don’t be alarmed, polar refers to the origin of this airmass, not necessarily the temperatures, although some light frost might occur later this week far inland). In terms of sensible weather, you will notice a marked change between warm, humid, summer-like weather Monday and Tuesday, and cool, windy, and crisp spring-like conditions to end the week.

Rest of today – basically a repeat of Sunday, high temperatures topping out in the low-80s. There is a very slight chance of showers and thunderstorms over the inland areas west of NYC where some instability might develop from daytime heating. South-facing shores will be noticeably cooler and cloudier due to an onshore wind from the south off the ocean.

Tuesday – some fog and clouds early, then mostly cloudy with a chance for rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front. High temperatures remain much above normal in the low-mid 80s.

Wednesday – the aforementioned cold front makes its passage, and brings in its wake a return to more seasonable weather. Average temperatures for this time of year are only around 65ºF, and that’s just about where we will end up on Wednesday under mostly sunny skies. There will be a noticeable wind from the northwest as well, making it feel extra crisp.noaad3

Thursday – sunny and dry, with a slight rebound in temperatures into the upper-60s.

NYC Weekend Weather – May 8, 2015

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Another splendid weekend is in store for us with warm temperatures in the upper-70s and near 80. Subtropical Storm Ana marks the first named storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season. It is not expected to bring us any direct impacts, however, it could bring moisture our way that could supplement a storm system forecast to pass through early next week.

Rest of today – early fog has burned off, skies have cleared, and temperatures should top out near 80. We have been under the persistent influence of a high pressure center that has been responsible for pumping in this warm, moist air from the south.

Saturday – clouds and sun, with sunny breaks more likely to appear near the coast in the afternoon. High temperatures should be a bit cooler in the mid-70s with the influence of clouds, however, any sunny breaks could easily shoot temperatures up a few degrees.

Sunday – once again, Sunday comes through as the best day of the weekend, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the low-80s.USA_East

Monday – clouds for the most part as a frontal boundary approaches from our north and west. High temperatures will still be quite mild with the influence of high pressure bringing southerly winds, expecting a high again near 80. Some chance for afternoon thunderstorms to develop as that frontal boundary nears.

Tuesday – probably our best shot at getting measurable rainfall as the aforementioned front passes through. Some left over moisture from Ana could work its way into this setup. Ahead of the front, temperatures should still rise into the upper-70s. It’ll be noticeably cooler for the second half of the week.

 

Subtropical Storm Ana

We have our first named storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season which doesn’t officially begin until June 1st. Subtropical Storm Ana developed out of a weak tropical disturbance off of Florida. This just goes to show, a tropical cyclone can form under the right conditions at any time of the year.

Visible satellite loop of Subtropical Storm Ana this morning - Geostationary Satellite Server
Visible satellite loop of Subtropical Storm Ana this morning – Geostationary Satellite Server

Subtropical Storm Ana fortunately does not have much time to organize and intensify before it makes landfall on the coast of the Carolinas. This should limit any serious damage, however, these areas will likely experience prolonged high winds, torrential rain, and coastal flooding.

Global Forecast System ensemble forecast tracks for Ana
Global Forecast System ensemble forecast tracks for Ana

NYC Weather Update – May 6, 2015

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A downright summer-like stretch of weather that started this week will get mirrored again towards the end of this week and going into next week. After clearing out clouds today, the remainder of this week should see dry and sunnier weather with highs in the mid-upper 70s. This weekend, we are looking at the possibility of temperatures near 80, nearly 15º above normal. We also have what could turn into the 2015 season’s first tropical depression/storm churning up off the coast of Florida now.

Rest of today – a very slow-moving, largely stationary front pushed through last night, but is still sitting in our vicinity. Along this front, remnants of more organized convective activity will be able to slide east during this afternoon and evening. While the chances are not high, there could still be an occasional shower during the latter half of today, high temperatures will be somewhat subdued around 70 with the clouds in place.

Thursday – clouds will clear out tomorrow and we should have a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-70s.

Friday – a repeat of Thursday, with mostly sunny skies and highs again in the mid-70s.

Saturday – increasing cloud cover, but should still be a pleasant day with temperatures in the upper 70s.

Sandwiched between rain to our south and to our west, but our weather should still remain dry this weekend.
Sandwiched between rain to our south and to our west, but our weather should still remain dry this weekend.

Sunday – warm and pleasant with a high near 80.

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Climate Prediction Center temperature outlook for next week – still looks like we’ll be getting warmer than normal temps

First Tropical System of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season?

As I write this, a low pressure system is building up steadily off the east coast of Florida. The National Hurricane Center puts the odds of this system organizing sufficiently to become the first named tropical depression, subtropical, or tropical storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Even if this storm does become the first named tropical system, it is unlikely to do much damage as it will have very little time over open water to gain strength before it is forecast to make landfall over the Carolinas later. The most noticeable impact from this storm would be the rain it generates.

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