Wild Wacky Whipsaw Weekend Weather!

Good afternoon weather folks! Yes, I’m still alive and remained under the radar given the rather mundane November and a cold yet snowless start this December. However, expect to see a lot more weather updates coming as we have a big change in the coming weeks. This will be rather brief but wanted to get ahead of what’s headed our way later this evening. We have an active pattern coming up specifically starting with later today into the evening hours. A very violent destructive tornado outbreak last night across IL MO ARK TN and specifically KY is moving east bringing a strong line of downpours and powerful wind gusts to the Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. A long track tornado last night over KY (over 200 miles on the ground and possibility at EF5 which the country hasn’t seen since since 1995), caused widespread damage with over 70 dead and possibly climbing. While extreme for this time of year and severity, it’s not unprecedented. Early winter tends to see tornado outbreaks at night due to cold air intrusion, combined with strong upper-level jet stream with inflow of warm gulf waters. Let’s discuss how this will impact our area this evening.

After a wet morning across Northeast, a warm air mass rapidly moves over us driving temps into the upper 50s to low 60s from Baltimore to Bangor up till early evening! However, a narrow yet strong potent squall line moves towards to I95 corridor leading to heavy downpours and damaging wind gusts, followed by a rapid drop in temperatures overnight.

While rains ends across most of NJ NY CT and MA (spot showers will linger in southern New England up to the Greens and Whites), the mercury continues to climb. As far when line arrives, here are the approximate times:

DC: 5pm-6pm

NJ: 7pm-8pm

NYC/ Low Hudson Valley: 8pm-9pm

NH east 2 ME down to Boston : 10pm to 11pm

Wind gusts associated with this line will be strong with the potential to blow down Christmas lights, trees limbs, leading to possible isolated power outages. Gusts will be between 30 to 50mph, possibly higher in coastal sections and over VT and NH mountains.

Rain ends will before sunrise Sunday, which will be sunny yet seasonably cold and blustery day.

Tidbits and Hints Ahead:

Given I want to get this out ahead of tonight’s storm, I’ll address on a separate post the rest of December, Christmas, New Years into the deep winter months. That said, we have a warm week ahead so enjoy it. Many calling for the end of winter before it starts. Shivers and snow may be delayed but definitely not denied. Use these warm days ahead to load up on firewood, shovels, salt/sand (wouldn’t be surprised on supply chain disruptions of these items, so get ahead of the last minute Charlies). Just giving you folks a head start. Artic blasts and threats for snowstorms are on the horizon (sniffing out the period between the 18^th to the 24^th). Details coming, so remember, weather never sleeps!!