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NYC Weather Update – Jan 18, 2016

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Weather to start this week will be rather uneventful, predominantly featuring windy, cold days, but little in the way of precipitation. We did get our first dusting of snow so far this winter in the city last night, and the potential for significantly more exists with a possible Nor’easter coming this weekend. As always, even though we’re within a week of this event, our local forecast office is only forecasting with 30% confidence due to the large changes in impact that even small fluctuations in storm track and intensity could bring.

Rest of today – we’ve already hit high temperatures for the day around 30ºF. A tight pressure gradient is causing breezy west winds near 20mph translating to wind chill values in the 10-15ºF range.

Tuesday – basically a repeat of today, but with slightly stronger winds. High temperatures will be in the upper-20s to around 30ºF with west winds in the 20-25mph leading to wind chills in the single digits to low teens under mostly sunny skies.

Wednesday – warmer, with high temperatures closer to normal in the mid-30s, calmer winds and sunny skies. There could be some flurries Wednesday night with a passing clipper system, but no accumulation is expected in the city.

Thursday – mostly sunny again with high temperatures in the mid-30s.

 

Possible Nor’easter This Friday – Saturday

Looking ahead towards the end of the week, there is a possibility for the first significant snowfall event in the NYC region thus far this winter. Forecasters are keeping close tabs on the possible formation of a classic Nor’easter towards the end of this week. It is important to stress that even at this point in time, there’s still considerable uncertainty about how this scenario will unfold. A deviation in the track of this coastal low too far north would result in a mainly rain event along the coast, while a deviation too far south would mean significantly less precipitation. If this scenario plays out under optimal conditions, our region would be in the northwest quadrant of this low, an area that favors the development of heavy snow. Even then, as was the case a couple winters ago, slight changes to the track and position of the heaviest snow bands could mean the difference between 5″ of snow or over a foot. Stay tuned for updates.

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NYC Weather Update – Jan 11, 2016

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This week will feature below normal temperatures for the most part, with a chance at some snow showers for the first time this winter coming along with an Alberta clipper type system tomorrow afternoon into the overnight hours. Later on this week into the weekend, we are looking at a more potent and complex storm system that could bring a mix of precipitation to the area.

Rest of today – mostly sunny with scattered clouds and a high temperature in the mid-30s. A breezy day with west winds in the 15-20mph range.

Tuesday – partly sunny to start the day, with high temperatures hitting the upper-30s to about 40ºF. Snow flurries/rain could mix together in the afternoon. As temperatures drop after sunset, precipitation should transition to all snow. Due to the quick moving nature of this clipper system, we’re not really expecting any accumulating snow.

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Wednesday – following the passage of the clipper system, winds pick up again from the west in the 15-20mph range, delivering a cold day with partly sunny skies and high temperatures right about freezing.

Thursday – slightly warmer, with high temperatures in the mid-30s, and a calmer wind so not as much of a biting cold.

NYC Weekend Weather – Jan 8, 2016

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With a quiet, though at times very cold, weather week behind us, we look towards a weekend that will bring with it much warmer temperatures along with unsettled weather. Looking into the long term, forecast models are hinting at a possible strong coastal low/Nor’easter hitting the area about 10 days from now. Of course, this far out, forecasts will vary wildly, as has been the case the last week or so with forecast models. However, if the right conditions combine, we could see our first big snow event of the season.

Rest of today – clouds increasing steadily during the day with an approaching storm system. High temperatures about normal in the low-40s.

Saturday – the first portion of a storm system for this weekend moves in during the day Saturday, however, precipitation will be limited during the day due to a lack of significant lift in the atmosphere. Cloudy, with high temperatures in the mid-40s.

Sunday – the bulk of the rain will arrive along with a warm front Sunday. Periods of heavy rain are possible throughout the afternoon, tapering off during the evening hours. Depending on if we get any breaks in the clouds, we could see temperatures approach 60ºF during the day.

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Monday – once the the low pressure system above exits the area, pulling through a trailing cold front, temperatures will once again plummet back into the upper-30s with clear skies.

NYC Weather Update – Jan 4, 2016

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The new year starts off with a blast of Arctic cold that will plunge the mercury down into numbers we haven’t seen since last winter. We will be seeing the coldest weather thus far this winter to start this week, but temperatures will rebound back into above average range mid-week. We won’t be getting any precipitation to go along with this cold air, so no snow still for us this winter.

Rest of today – parts of the area have likely already seen their high temperatures for the day. In the city, we’ll struggle to get above freezing today. An arctic front moved through, and is allowing for much colder air to enter the region. Some parts of eastern Long Island may actually see snow flurries today, but the rest of the region should see mostly sunny skies.

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Tuesday – overnight lows will be downright frigid with temperatures at daybreak only in the teens for the city and single digits elsewhere. Couple that with stiff north winds and we’re looking at wind chill values in the single digits in the city. During the day Tuesday, north winds should slowly subside, but high temperatures will again only be near freezing.

Wednesday – the center of the high pressure responsible for bringing in the cold air will be close to us, meaning winds will become minimal, and will begin to shift from north to southwest as the high pressure continues moving to our east. This will allow for daytime highs to reach back up into the low-40s, which is 6-8ºF above normal.

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Thursday – looking like a very similar day to Wednesday, with high temperatures again in the low-40s and with sunny skies.

NYC New Years Weekend Weather Update – Dec 31, 2015

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The New Year will finally bring some more seasonable weather to the region as temperatures dip in response to a building area of high pressure and west-northwest winds over the weekend. It will be an uneventful weekend otherwise, with generally dry conditions.

Rest of today – mostly cloudy to partly sunny with high temperatures around 50ºF. For New Year’s Eve celebrations tonight, temperatures will drop rather quickly into the low-40s by midnight.

Friday (New Years Day) – cool, though still above normal with high temperatures in the low-40s and sunny skies.

Saturday – cool and dry conditions prevail with high temperatures again in the low-40s. Overnight lows will be in the low-30s.

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Sunday – basically a clone of Saturday, mostly sunny, highs in the low-40s.

NYC Weekend Weather – Dec 18, 2015

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We get a taste of cool weather this weekend, with high temperatures at or slightly below normal for Saturday and Sunday, before we rebound strongly into much above average and possibly record-breaking warmth once again by mid-week next week. Saturday in particular will be feel quite brisk, with a stiff wind from the west dropping wind chills into the 30s. There could even be a couple snow flurries north and west of the city!

Rest of today – mostly cloudy to partly sunny skies with high temperatures hovering in the mid-50s. Temperatures will fall rapidly to near freezing in the city overnight.

Saturday – the low pressure system that was responsible for the soaking rains Thursday will continue to intensify as it moves over the Canadian Maritimes Saturday. As a high pressure center builds to the south, a tightening pressure gradient will yield stiff winds in the 15-25mph range on Saturday. This, combined with a blast of cold air behind the cold front that passed yesterday, will result in high temperatures only in the low-40s, with wind chills making it feel like the 30s throughout the day. There could be enough instability in the atmosphere to spark a couple flurries over the interior!

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Sunday – high pressure will remain in control Sunday, so expect sunny skies, and with the high pressure center closer to us, the pressure gradient will diminish. Winds should likewise calm down, and it will feel considerably less raw with high temperatures in the mid-40s.

Monday – temperatures will jump into the low-mid 50s as the high pressure above moves to our east and return flow of warmer air from the south and southwest begins to take hold.

 

White Christmas? Not a chance.

Looking ahead at the week of Christmas coming up – not only will there be no chance of a white Christmas on the Eastern Seaboard, we could be looking at record-breaking warmth again with high temperatures in the low-mid 60s! The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 Day Temperature Outlook and 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook are both strongly confident (> 90% probability) that we will see warmer than average temperatures.

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NYC Weather Update – Dec 14, 2015

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Temperatures remain very warm to start the week, following a weekend of recording-breaking warm weather this past weekend. However, a true cooldown into temperatures within normal ranges for this time of year (high temperatures in the mid-40s) won’t occur until late this week. When that cool down comes around, we could even be looking at a few snow flurries!

Rest of today – widespread fog has taken hold across the region. Fog is expected to lift by around noon, however, generally cloudy conditions are likely to persist through the afternoon. Warm again with high temperatures in the low-mid 60s – higher if clouds break in any areas inland. Later this evening, we get our best shot at a round of showers and even a couple embedded thunderstorms as a cold front pushes through. Timing for this precipitation looks to be around 8PM this evening.

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Tuesday – behind the cold front, skies will clear, giving us a much brighter, but also windier day Tuesday. Still, temperatures remain warm, with highs again approaching the low-mid 60s.

Wednesday – cooler temperatures finally kick in with high temperatures dropping into the mid-50s under mostly sunny skies.

Thursday – a secondary surface low will form over the Southeast, associated with a stronger low pressure that will be over the Hudson Bay area. This low brings us our next chance at precipitation, and will yield a mostly cloudy day, with increasing chances for rain in the afternoon as the day progresses.

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NYC Weekend Weather – Dec 10, 2015

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The weekend coming up will see some unusually warm weather coming our way. In fact, high temperatures on Sunday may well approach record-breaking territory at 60ºF or even higher. This near-record warm trend won’t last through next week, so definitely take advantage of this weekend for some outdoor activities.

Rest of today – partly sunny with highs in the upper 50s.

Friday – with a warm front passing through overnight, areas of fog may develop early Friday morning. Once the fog clears, we should see mostly sunny skies, and high temperatures will again be in the upper-50s to near 60ºF.
Saturday – temperatures continue to warm into the low-60s on Saturday with partly sunny skies. High pressure firmly entrenched over the Southeast will be the primary driver allowing a surge of warm air to enter our region.
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Sunday – we could see record-breaking warmth across the region Sunday, with this high pressure still in control and a cold front approaching from the west, increasing the flow of warm air into the area. High temperatures should easily break 60ºF. If cloud cover is less than currently expected, records are likely to be broken.
Monday – the aforementioned cold front makes its approach across the region, bringing us a good chance at some meaningful rain. High temperatures preceding the cold front’s passage are still expected to be quite warm, near 60ºF.
Short-term Temperature Outlook & El Niño’s Impact
Although temperatures will cool somewhat after the cold front passes on Monday, they will nonetheless remain a good deal above average. Seasonal average high temperatures for this time in December are in the low-40s! Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 temperature outlook has our region at a near certain probability of seeing above average temperatures.
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This coheres well with generally understood impacts of an El Niño winter in North America.
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NYC Weather Update – Dec 7, 2015

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A rather uneventful beginning to the work week in terms of weather will be followed by a gradual warmup towards the end of the week. Temperatures the past couple of months have been very much above normal, and in some cases approaching the warmest months on record – this trend looks set to continue at least through to early next week and possibly longer.

Rest of today – surprisingly, there is an Air Quality Alert in effect this afternoon through midnight. Some lingering haze has been a smudge on what will otherwise be a sunny day with high temperatures in the mid-50s.

Tuesday – more clouds than sun to start the day, but then clouds diminish as an offshore low exits to our east. This offshore low is not expected to bring any precipitation to the area since it will be passing too far to the south of us. Temperatures will actually be a little cooler than today – in the mid-upper 40s – since winds circulating counterclockwise around this low will be coming from the north.

 

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Wednesday – as the low above exits, a high pressure center will begin to take hold. Return flow from the south around the western edge of this high pressure and a passing warm front will again bring in milder air. High temperatures are expected to be similar to today in the mid-50s, with mostly sunny skies.

Thursday – the warmup continues with temperatures expected to be a couple degrees warmer than on Wednesday, and with ample sunshine.

NYC Weekend Weather – Dec 04, 2015

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A quite and mild weekend is in store for the region with high pressure in control of the weather throughout the period. Temperatures should climb steadily as winds shift and persist from the southwest. We could see high temperatures near 60ºF by Sunday.

Rest of today – clear to mostly sunny, with highs around 50.

Saturday – sunny, with high temperatures in the low-50s.

Sunday – milder, and sunny again with high temperatures in the upper-50s to near 60ºF.

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Monday – clouds look to be increasing on Monday with a storm system approaching from the south expected to pass on Tuesday. Temperatures will be cooler in the mid-50s.

Seasonal Climate Outlooks

As we are entering into the winter, it’s worth looking ahead at what the seasonal climate out looks are from the Climate Prediction Center.

Drought conditions are expected to improve over many areas of the nation, and the persistent moderate drought in our region is forecast to end.

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Temperature and precipitation are forecast to be above normal for the region. As you’ll note from the images below, some fairly significant deviations from normal are expected across large portions of the United States, due in large part to the effects of a strong El Niño that’s been gripping the Eastern and Central Pacific for months now.

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The chart below shows you the sea surface temperature anomalies for the Pacific – notice that a large swathe of the equatorial Pacific from about the international date line east is experiencing extremely warm temperatures for this time of year – a full 5ºC above normal in large areas. This is why climate forecasters can be more confident than usual in their outlooks for temperature and precipitation this season.

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