A significant storm system will most likely bring us rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Computer models suggest over an inch of rain is possible during the mid-week period. This system could be a major winter storm for folks in the Northeastern part of the nation. Wind may also be a factor during this event. Very cold air will move into the Mid-Atlantic states behind this system making for a chilly ending to the week.

The pattern is quite active as we will have significant day to day changes in the weather over the next several days. Saturday looks dry with seasonal temperatures. A frontal system should bring us showers or even a period of rain on Sunday. Temperatures will be too warm here locally to support any frozen precipitation. We clear out on Monday but a more significant storm system developing over the Southeastern states will bring us more precipitation on Tuesday and Wednesday. A much colder air mass will move into the region following that storm system.  A period of very cold weather is expected later next week.

Milder air has moved into Hampton Roads but clouds will dominate the sky on Friday. Some sprinkles or showers are possible as a disturbance moves towards the area. We clear out on Saturday and it should turn out quite nice. Another frontal system will approach the area on Sunday introducing a chance of showers. Forecasters are more concerned about a system that may develop next week. This could be a coastal storm with snow in some parts of the Northeast. For us, odds are it will be of the liquid variety. However, this is far away so we have to see how everything sets up. I’ll have more on this system over the weekend.

Happy New Year, everyone! The strong winds that caused power outages, Christmas decorations to blow around all over the place and even some tree and structural damage have subsided thanks to a high pressure area moving into the Mid-Atlantic region. Also, the intense low that developed off the coast of the Northeastern states has moved into the Canadian Maritimes. There were some reports, especially to our north, of  some tree and structural damage from the very strong winds on Wednesday.  New Year’s Day will be cold but temperatures will moderate on Friday. A frontal system may bring a shower on Friday, but forecasters are not expecting anything significant. A warm front may bring another chance of a shower on Sunday. More significant rain is expected next week but I’ll have more on that as we head through the weekend.

Wind will be the big story on this last day of 2008. Why is it so windy? The pressure gradient between a departing and intensifying low pressure area off the NJ coast and a strong high pressure area moving in from the west is causing all the wind. The windiest period should be Wednesday afternoon as the sun’s instability brings down the stronger winds from higher up in the atmosphere. The winds will diminish somewhat overnight so by New Year’s Day, it shouldn’t be that bad. The cold will return and temperatures should be below freezing in most locations around Hampton Roads by morning.  A frontal system will be approaching on Friday, but this system is expected to be moisture starved as the system will not be able to tap moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. A shower or two may occur on Friday but that should be about it. Another system moving into the region on Sunday may bring precipitation but I’ll have an update on that as we get closer. That system may be able to bring up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico but forecasters aren’t sure how far north the system will come. Also, next week could be quite unsettled but I’ll have more on that over the next few days. So, enjoy whatever you are doing on New Year’s Eve. If you are going out, dress warmly and stay safe.