May 11, 2012: Warm, Partly Sunny Weekend

Forecast Overview:


- Partly sunny weekend, highs in 70s to low 80s
- Clouds, storms return for early-mid week
- Lower rain risk by late next week; no heat surge in sight


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As a high pressure stayed to the south, partly sunny skies were observed today with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s across most of the area. The temporary break from the cloudy and wet pattern will continue through this weekend, with sunny skies on Saturday and partly cloudy skies on Sunday with temperatures rising into the mid 70s to lower 80s for most places, making this the largest warm spell since mid April when highs nearly reached 90 degrees. The warmth won't last long, however, as more clouds and locally heavy thunderstorms return next week.


Weekend Outlook:


Sunny skies are expected on Saturday, with west winds and a warmer air mass resulting in temperatures warming into the mid to upper 70s across the area, with lower 80s in parts of the immediate NYC area, especially near NE NJ. Similar temperatures are expected on Sunday but with more cloud cover along with a risk of isolated thunderstorms in the evening west and south of NYC.


Next Week's Outlook:


Moisture will move up the East Coast from the Gulf of Mexico early-mid next week, resulting in mostly cloudy skies, highs in the 60s to lower 70s, and occasional showers/thunderstorms, some of them heavy. At this time, it appears that the heaviest rain may end up to the west, but locally heavy storms are still expected to affect the area, with the potential for 1 or more inch in some areas. By the late week and weekend, temperatures will warm back up into the 70s with less cloud cover, although the possibility is there for another cutoff low to form, perhaps keeping the cloud cover and shower risk through next weekend as well. Saturday's update will include more details on the outlook for this upcoming week.