May 10, 2013: Rain Returns For Saturday

Forecast Highlights:

Temperatures surged well into the 70s and low 80s across most of the area today, but this surge of warmth will only be brief as a cold front approaches on Saturday, producing rain and thunderstorms, some of which may be strong. Behind this cold front a brief but strong cool surge is expected, with temperatures dropping into the 30s inland with frost possible followed by a late week warmup.

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Tonight - Sunday: Rain, Then Cooler

Earlier this afternoon, severe thunderstorms affected the western half of Pennsylvania, but as expected have since weakened, with occasional light to moderate rain expected to reach the area tonight. A low pressure near western NY state will continue to slowly move NE through the next day, with the cold front expected to gradually move through the region. Mainly cloudy skies are expected on Saturday with highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s across the area, with showers and thunderstorms expected mainly after 10 AM-12 PM. Some of these storms will be capable of heavy rain and strong wind gusts, with at least 1/2 to 1 inch of rain likely north/west of NYC. These storms will mostly clear the area by the overnight hours, with partly cloudy skies on Sunday and highs peaking in the low to mid 60s inland and the mid to upper 60s for the rest of the area.


Next Week: Chilly Start, Warmer Ending

A strong trough will move into the region early next week, resulting in a brief surge of cooler than average temperatures. Sunday night will be chilly with lows in the low to mid 40s from NYC and further east/south and the mid to upper 30s inland. Highs on Monday are expected to peak in the mid to upper 50s inland and upper 50s to low 60s across the rest of the area, about 10 degrees colder than average. The coolest temperatures are expected on Monday night, with lows in the low 40s from NYC and further east/south and the mid to upper 30s north/west of NYC, likely reaching the low 30s inland where frost is possible. Mostly sunny skies are expected again on Tuesday with highs slightly warming up into the upper 50s-low 60s inland and the low to mid 60s across the rest of the area.

Wednesday will continue the warming trend with partly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s across most of the area. A warm front is expected to move through overnight, with scattered showers possible followed by a surge of warmth with highs likely returning into the 70s on Thursday and Friday. The main uncertainty at this time is regarding timing of the next cold front, currently likely to be around late next week with scattered showers possible again, but with the timing and scenario still subject to change. Stay tuned for more information on the longer range outlook.