After a rainy start to the week, high pressure takes over during the mid-week period. Another storm system moves in Thursday. Behind this next bout of rain, a dry and mostly sunny weekend should await us.
Rest of today – skies clearing as a cold front pushing. Winds picking up with some subsidence (sinking air, since air mass behind the cold front is cooler and drier). High temperatures reaching into the upper-70s with this subsidence and some downsloping from the northwest. Overnight lows in the mid-60s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Wednesday
Wednesday – high pressure remains firmly rooted over the area. High temperatures in the mid-70s with mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows in the low-60s.
Thursday – a developing low closer to the coast and another one further inland over the Great Lakes will bring showers and thunderstorms to the area. First, like Monday, a warm front will lift through earlier in the day, then a cold front is expected to follow later on. High temperatures in the low-70s due to rain and cloud cover. Overnight lows in the upper-50s.
NAM model for 1000-500 mb thickness and surface reflectivity at 8AM Thursday, showing a distinct area of rain associated to a low emerging off the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula
Friday – with a cool start, temperatures top out in the mid-70s. Mostly sunny in the wake of the cold front Thursday. Overnight lows in the low-60s.
High pressure will build over southwestern Quebec this weekend, and this will be the predominant influence on sensible weather in the area. This should result in the first rain-free weekend in quite a while, so get out and enjoy it if you can. By the beginning of next week, rain comes back into the picture. Temperatures through the period will be at or slightly above average in the upper-70s.
Rest of today – filtered sun through a deck of higher clouds appears to be on the order of the day with a cold front stalling out and becoming stationary to our south. No rain though! High temperatures around 80°F. Overnight lows in the mid-60s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Saturday. That big area of high pressure over Quebec will be bringing us some sunny skies for a change.
Saturday – this will be the best day of the weekend with sunny skies as high be pressure builds north and high temperatures staying in the low-80s. Overnight lows again in the mid-60s.
Sunday – still a good day for being outside with more clouds expected and becoming mostly cloudy late. High temperatures in the upper-70s with overnight lows in the low-60s.
NAM output for 2PM Monday, by this time, it appears that a cold front bringing showers along with it will be nearing the area.
Monday – the next storm system comes through with a cold front forecast to pass Monday into Tuesday. Rain chances look to be sometime in the afternoon at this point. High temperature in the mid-70s with mostly cloudy skies and overnight lows in the low-60s.
This week starts off right around average for this time of year, with pleasant, sunny conditions. High pressure remains in control for a good part of the week and temperatures start creeping up as the high pressure continues moving east and offshore. Clockwise flow around this exiting high pressure from the southwest and west will help warm temperatures up before the next chance for rain comes in Wednesday and Thursday.
Rest of today – clear skies with high temperatures in the low-70s. Overnight lows in the mid-50s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Tuesday
Tuesday – high pressure still in control, temperatures again in the low-70s with plenty of sun. Overnight lows warming up into the low-60s.
Wednesday – the high pressure center will be southeast of us and a warm front will push through. This should allow temperatures to reach into the low-80s with partly sunny skies. We could see an afternoon shower or thunderstorm as a result of increased instability. Overnight, a prefrontal trough and cold front is forecast to push through and lead to more chances for showers and thunderstorms with low temperatures in the mid-60s.
Pivotal Weather rendering of GFS model output for 1000-500 mb thickness and precipitation, 2AM Thursday
Thursday – partly sunny skies again with continuing chances for shower and thunderstorms later in the day. High temperatures in the low-80s. Overnight lows in the mid-60s.
During my time taking classes as part of Penn State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Weather Forecasting, we were taught that understanding the climatology of the location you are interested in is an important prerequisite for making accurate forecasts. This post continues on this theme, adding a climatology for June.
City Name / Station ID: New York, NY (LaGuardia Airport – KLGA)
Local Geography and Topography
Station Elevation: 10 feet above sea level.
Station Location: LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) is situated on the north shore of Queens along the East River, approximately 6 miles east-northeast of Midtown Manhattan.
KLGA’s location within the broader NYC area, as seen in a Google Maps terrain view
Important Topographical Features: New York City is located in the extreme southeastern corner of New York State, bordering suburban New Jersey and Connecticut. These suburban regions combined with those in Long Island comprise the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area, which is the most populous urban agglomeration in the United States and one of the populous urbanized areas in the world with an estimated population of 18 million. New York City itself sprawls across the coastal plain around the Hudson River estuary. The terminal moraine formed by glaciers of the last Ice Age result in a ridge of higher terrain that cuts a swath from southwest to northeast across the boroughs from northern Staten Island, northern Brooklyn, southwestern through central and northeastern Queens. Otherwise, the city itself is low lying. This ridge varies in height between 200-400 feet, rising sharply from south to north, but tapering more gently north. North and west of the city (about 30-50 miles away), lie significant elevations of the Catskills (north), Poconos (west), Taconics that are part of the broader Appalachian Mountain Range. The elevations of the lower foothills can range from 1000-1500 feet. Some of the elevations in the Poconos and Catskills, west and north of KLGA respectively, peak between 2000-3000 feet. The open expanse of the Atlantic Ocean lies south of KLGA and New York City. Long Island Sound also lies east-northeast. The vast urbanized area of the NYC metropolitan region has significant effects on local microclimates via differential heating (urban heat island effect). KLGA is in a low-lying area sensitive to UHI effects and marine influences.
On winter mornings, ocean temperatures which are warm relative to the land reinforce the effect of the city heat island and low temperatures are often 10-20 degrees lower in the inland suburbs than in the central city. The relatively warm water temperatures also delay the advent of winter snows. Conversely, the lag in warming of water temperatures keeps spring temperatures relatively cool. One year-round measure of the ocean influence is the small average daily variation in temperature.
National Weather Service – NYC Office
Wind Patterns
Below is a wind rose – you can read more about how to interpret this chart here.
Frequency (percentage) of the single most common wind direction: Due south (13.5%).
Directions that are most and least common: Most common wind directions include due northwest (9.5%), due northeast (9.25%), and due southwest (just below 9%). Least common wind directions are east-southeast (1%), due east (1.5%), and due southeast (2.5%).
Direction(s) most likely to produce the fastest winds: Winds of 16.5-21.4 knots are most frequently found coming from due northwest, north-northwest, and due south.
Direction(s) least likely to produce the fastest winds: As is the case with several other spring months, the least common wind directions of due east, east-southeast, and due southeast also rarely seen winds in excess of 16.4 knots.
Impacts of wind direction on local weather: Wind patterns in June present a similar pattern to those in May, but with a notable increase in the frequency of winds from the southwestern quadrant, and a decrease in winds from the northeastern quadrant. This could be a reflection of shifting storm patterns, with coastal storms and backdoor cold fronts from the northeast becoming less common while more mid-latitude lows track inland north of the area, bringing more southerly warm sector flow. Persistent Bermuda highs can sometimes also develop in June over the western North Atlantic. The clockwise flow around these high pressure centers would result in more southerly and southwesterly winds. During this time of year, southwesterly winds should generally advect warmer, more humid air from the Southeastern US into the region. When this pattern becomes persistent, it can cause oppressive heat waves. Meanwhile, southerly winds (along with easterly and some northeasterly winds) would bring cooler, and more stable marine air, sometimes in the form of sea breezes. In the wake of passing cold fronts associated with mid-latitude storms, northwesterly and northerly winds, though decreasing in frequency compared to May, should still be effective at transporting cooler, drier Canadian (continential Arctic) airmasses into the area.
Maximum observed two-minute wind speed for the month: 36 (41 mph)
Temperature and Precipitation Averages/Records
Temperature units are in Fahrenheit and precipitation is in inches.
Worth Noting June is the first month of summer, and not surprisingly is also the first month of the season where record highs have exceeded 100ºF.
We’ll get a much needed respite from deluging rains at least for part of the weekend as high pressure initially takes hold of the weather. This should give us two days to start with slightly above average warmth and mostly sunny skies. By Sunday, the next storm system to affect the region will be closing in and we can expect more rain and thunderstorm chances. Timing of this system now appears to clear the area by Monday and result in cooler but sunny conditions starting next week.
Rest of today – early fog has burned off and we’re in line to have a nice day with sunny skies and high temperatures topping out in the low-80s except at the immediate coast where a sea breeze is expected to develop with onshore flow forecast later in the day. Overnight lows in the low-60s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Saturday
Saturday – another great day with temperatures in the low-80s (except again at the coasts with sea breezes) and mostly sunny skies. Clouds on the increase late and overnight with lows again in the low-60s.
NAM (North American Model) output for 500 mb vorticity and heights on Sunday 8PM showing a pronounced upper low over James Bay in Canada with a trough extending into the Ohio Valley. This will provide upper level divergence and instability to spur storms on Sunday.
Sunday – a warm front is forecast to push through overnight into Sunday and set the stage for rain and thunderstorms later in the day as a cold front approaches from the west. Temps probably topping out a touch cooler in the upper-70s with more clouds hanging around. Overnight lows around 60°F.
Monday – at this time, expecting the aforementioned cold front to sweep through the region before the day Monday. That should result in cooler highs in the low-70s with mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows in the upper-50s.
Temperatures cool off after a warm holiday weekend. A frontal boundary will linger in the area this week allowing multiple disturbances to move along it. This will result in multiple chances for rain but with generally mild temperatures except today. Looking into the weekend, it does appear that high pressure takes over and gives us a nice Saturday at the least.
Rest of today – mostly cloudy, temperatures cool, in the upper-60s. Showers early should give way to a period of dry weather, however, stronger showers and thunderstorms could hit later this evening around 8PM ahead of an approaching low sliding along a warm front just to our south. We are just outside Storm Prediction Center’s slight risk area for severe thunderstorms, and these storms should weaken as they near the more stable marine layer, in particular if clouds hold and no sun peaks through. Overnight lows staying steady in the upper-60s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8PM Tuesday
Wednesday – a cold front is forecast to push through and allow for some drying out on Wednesday with partly sunny skies. High temperatures should rise into the upper-70s. Dry weather doesn’t last because yet another warm front pushes through later in the evening with more showers and thunderstorms possible. Overnight lows in the low-60s.
Thursday – another impulse of low pressure and warm front moves through the area bringing continued chances for rain. High temperatures in the upper-70s under mostly cloudy skies. Overnight lows again in the low-60s and with more chances for rain.
GFS model output for surface pressure, precipitation, 500 mb thickness at 6AM Friday
Friday – cold front sweeps through and allows for sunny skies to return, this should be a really nice day with high temperatures in the upper-70s. Overnight lows about 60°F.
This week kicked off with high temperatures yesterday that were more typical of the mid-summer. Things have cooled off noticeably this morning in the wake of a cold front that brought some showers and thunderstorms to parts of the region last night. The remainder of the week should see temperatures around normal for this time of year, with the next chance for rain Thursday. Looking ahead to Memorial Day weekend, it seems there could be some rain chances especially late Saturday into Sunday.
Rest of today – sunny conditions with high pressure in control today. Fresh northwesterly breezes calming down later in the afternoon. High temperatures in the low-70s. Overnight lows in the mid-50s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Wednesday
Wednesday – high pressure remains in place, yielding another great day with lots of sun and seasonable high temperatures in the low-70s. Overnight lows in the upper-50s as a warm front approaches from the southwest.
Thursday – chance for showers, on the light side developing ahead of this approaching warm front. High temperatures in the low-70s with partly sunny skies. Rain chances increase going into the overnight hours as the parent low of the warm front nears, lows in the low-60s.
GFS model output fro surface pressure, 500 mb temperature and height valid 10PM Thursday
Friday – mostly sunny behind Thursday’s quick-moving storm. High temperatures in the mid-70s. Overnight lows around 60°F
This weekend is shaping up to be similar to last weekend in some respects, with Saturday being a nearly ideal day with plenty of sun, while Sunday is cloudier with some chance for rain. The big difference is unlike last weekend, we’re not anticipating a coastal storm or record-breaking cold! In fact, we should see our first 80°F+ day in some time by Monday before a chance for showers and thunderstorms cools things off.
Rest of today – current visible satellite observations show clouds moving in from the west, so the sunny start to the day will give way to mostly cloudy conditions later. Temperatures will be mild with the influence of warm southwesterly winds, topping out in the mid-70s. Later in the evening, a cold front will push through, bringing a chance for scattered showers and possibly a thunderstorm or two. Overnight lows expected in the mid-50s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 2PM today
Saturday – even though we’ll have a cold front push through, sinking air behind the cold front and downsloping winds from higher terrain in the north should keep things around average for this time of year in the low-70s with mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows continue to be in the mid-50s.
NAM output for 500 mb height and vorticity, valid for 8AM Saturday. A noticeable reversal of the upper air pattern from earlier this week is visible with a deep longwave trough over the Western US, and ridging over the Eastern US. This will result in great weather for us tomorrow, while areas of the Plains downstream of the trough picture above see the potential for severe weather.
Sunday – warm front approaching from the south during the day Sunday will result in more clouds than sun, and perhaps a scattered rain shower. High temperatures still around average for this time of year in the low-70s. Overnight lows warm up into the low-60s as we enter the warm sector of the storm system approaching us from the west that’s expected to bring severe weather to parts of the Central US this weekend.
Monday – with the region forecast to be in the warm sector of the parent low shown below, and a prolonged period of southwesterly surface winds bringing warm air into the area, temperatures are expected to warm up into the low-80s. This day will have a summery feel, with some humidity to the air and a chance for showers and thunderstorms later in the day as a cold front approaches from the west. Overnight lows should remain mild around 60°F.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Monday
After a very cool, wet start to the week, temperatures should moderate and conditions will gradually improve as we approach the weekend. A pattern change at mid and upper levels is apparent in forecast models going into this weekend. We finally break free of persistent troughing that brought the cold, rainy weather this weekend going into the beginning of this week. Instead, we’ll get to look forward to sunnier, warmer weather more in line with the calendar.
Rest of today – if we don’t reach 55°F, today will be the second day in a row we set a new record low and record low maximum at KLGA. High temperatures are forecast to be in the low-50s with lots of clouds. Needless to say, it’s been quite cold and below average for this time of year. The noreaster that brought us miserable conditions yesterday is steadily moving east. However, a surface trough and moisture is forecast to rotate around its back side as it keeps retreating east. This could result in scattered showers later in the afternoon and evening. Overnight lows are expected to be quite cool again, in the mid-40s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 2PM today
Wednesday – temperatures should rebound nicely out of the gate as we finally get some clearing skies. High temperatures should reach into the mid-60s. Chance for showers overnight going into Thursday as a cold front approaches from the north. Overnight lows much warmer in the mid-50s.
Thursday – the warm up continues despite cloud cover associated with this approaching cold front. High temperatures expected to touch 70°F for the first time in a while. This passing (and slowing) cold front could continue to touch off a couple showers going into Friday. Overnight lows slightly cooler in the low-50s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8AM Thursday
Friday – cooler with high temperatures in the upper-60s and partly sunny skies. Overnight lows into Saturday in the mid-50s. Pattern change is coming with large scale troughing forecast for the western US while a ridge builds east, essentially the opposite of the pattern we’ve had the past few days.
Mother’s Day weekend here in NYC unfortunately looks to be quite rainy. We start off with the potential for rain later today. Saturday is shaping up to be the sole dry day with high pressure briefly building before giving way to a prolonged period of wet weather Sunday and Monday. So, if you’re making any outdoor plans for mom, consider bumping them up to Saturday!
Rest of today – cloudy, with temperatures around 70°F. We will sit in the warm sector of an elongated low centered over western Quebec as a warm front has already passed overhead. This will allow plenty of mild, moist air to stream northward with southerly winds ahead of the trailing a cold front associated with this low. This cold front will serve as the trigger for some showers and thunderstorms later this evening as it swings through. Overnight lows behind this cold front in the mid-50s.
Weather Prediction Center surface forecast for 8PM Friday
Saturday – high pressure briefly builds in during the day. This will give us the best weather of the weekend with mostly sunny conditions and seasonable high temperatures in the upper-60s. Ideal weather for any outdoor activities. This nice weather doesn’t last with clouds building into the overnight hours and low temperatures dipping to the low-50s
Sunday – another storm system approaches from the south. A warm front at the leading edge of this storm seems likely to stall out. This will bring a prolonged period of chances for showers, cloudy skies, and cooler temperatures with easterly onshore winds. High temperatures in the mid-50s. Overnight lows quite cool in the upper-40s as rain chances continue.
GFS model output for 2PM Sunday
Monday – a coastal low forms along the frontal boundary mentioned above. At this time, it appears this coastal low tracks close enough to make Monday another rainy day with cool temperatures, highs in the mid-50s, 10-15°F below normal for this time of year. Overnight lows looking even colder than Sunday if prolonged rain and a northeasterly wind flow materializes with this coastal low, current forecasts pointing to the mid-40s.
