Mar 2, 2011: Stormy Pattern Develops

Note: Due to technical difficulties while the update was being created, the 5-Day Forecast and this discussion were not fully updated. A potential update late tomorrow afternoon will cover the longer range and update the 5-Day Forecast.

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As a cold front moved through the area this afternoon, bringing gusty winds to the area, high temperatures were warmer than yesterday and above the average for this time of the year, peaking in the mid 40s to lower 50s inland, lower to mid 50s in the immediate NYC area, and were warmer than expected in Long Island, peaking in the upper 40s to lower 50s. Newark reached a peak of 57 degrees.

Very Cold Tonight: With a much colder air mass from Canada moving into the region, temperatures will quickly drop tonight along with clear skies, reaching the mid 0s to lower 10s for the interior parts of the area, lower to mid 10s for the north/west suburbs of NYC, and in the mid to upper 10s for Long Island and NYC. High temperatures tomorrow will also be very cold along with sunny skies, however temperatures will quickly moderate back towards the average, with the potential for heavy rain returning on Sunday and again later next week.


Tomorrow's Outlook:

**Note: Temperatures in Long Island and the northwestern parts of the area may be slightly warmer than the map shows.**

Tomorrow will bring sunny skies to the area as a strong high pressure will be in control across the region. After tonight's cold temperatures, tomorrow will warm up a good amount especially with sunny skies, however they will remain well below the average high temperature for this time of the year, only peaking in the mid 20s to lower 30s across most of the area with lower to mid 30s in the immediate NYC area.


Friday - Monday: Mainly Cloudy, Becoming Rainy

As the high pressure exits the area, cloud cover will begin to increase on Thursday night with cold temperatures but not as cold as those of tonight, and cloud cover will continue to increase on Friday, becoming mostly cloudy by the afternoon. A few showers are possible in the evening and overnight hours, with a light wintry mix possible early if temperatures are cold enough, however any precipitation should be light and will stay in the western parts of the area.

An update tomorrow afternoon will discuss more about the coming rain potential and what may come afterwards.