Even a slight change in the wind direction can make a huge difference in the weather. On Saturday, a northerly wind made for a rather chilly day in Hampton Roads. The winds today (Sunday) should be more northwesterly, which will cause temperatures to be nearly 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. Temperatures are expected to stay at or slightly above normal for a few days and that hasn’t happened in quite a while. Dry weather is expected through Wednesday, but an approaching frontal system may mean some wet weather as we get to the Thursday to Saturday timeframe. It’s a little early for any specific details on this system, but rain seems a good bet during this period… I posted a new “weather fact” describing what we here in Hampton Roads should expect during the month of March. I’m going to do this monthly for the next 12 months describing what the month’s weather is normally like here in HamptonRoads. Please check it out. It’s entitled “March Weather in Hampton Roads”.

A large high pressure system to our west will keep us dry this weekend, but it is also producing a northerly flow that will keep us on the cool side on Saturday. On Sunday, forecasters believe that our winds will swing around to a westerly direction which will result in an increase in temperatures. No exceptional warmth is expected but just being normal will feel very mild as we’ve been through an extended stretch of below normal temperatures. We’re also entering the time of year when temperatures can be cooler near the water when the winds are off water that is still very chilly. That may be the case on Saturday as temperatures inland will be higher than areas to the east, such as northern VA Beach. The dry, mild weather should last through Wednesday. Then, we’ll have to watch a low pressure system developing to our south and west. One thing is for sure, precipitation type will not be an issue with this storm. It should all be in the liquid variety. I’ll have an update on Sunday.

Most of us are anticipating the warmer days that lie ahead, when we can get out and start gardening or doing outdoor activities that we love to do. Well, a warm up is coming, but not until Sunday and Monday. A persistent northerly flow around the slowly departing low pressure system in the Atlantic will keep us on the cool side today. A weak trough pivoting around the low will brush the coast later today possibly bringing a shower or sprinkle to some spots later this afternoon. The further east you are, the better chance of seeing a shower. The weekend looks dry for the most part. Early next week, we should be quite mild and that may continue most of the week. A low pressure system may bring us some rain by mid week. The storm system that brought the rain and snow to our region earlier in the week dumped 2.25 inches of rain in my neighborhood. That was quite a storm system. Had temperatures been just a little colder that morning, snowfall accumulations could have been significant across Hampton Roads. It really was a close call. Will winter weather return. It’s hard to say, but in the extended outlook for next week, there really isn’t any threat of frozen precipitation. With each passing day, the sun is getting stronger and the amount of daylight is increasing. Spring is just around the corner.

Yes, there is another storm system poised to affect the Mid-Atlantic States by mid-week, but there is quite a bit of uncertainty about this storm and its evolution. What track does it take? How much cold air will be in place? Will there be wrap-around moisture (snow)? How much precipitation will fall and where? How high will the winds get? How severe will the tidal flooding be? These are the usual questions when coastal storms threaten our region and this next storm is no exception. Models are differing in their solutions. Right now, forecasters are going with a middle of the road approach. I would definitely stay tuned on this storm. Yes, it will already be March, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t get significant snowfall here in Hampton Roads. From the way it looks now, temperatures will probably be a bit too warm for snow along the coast, but stay tuned. Winds could be a factor as the storm intensifies offshore. Meanwhile, Sunday and Monday look decent with temps just below seasonal averages.

The huge storm system that dumped heavy snow in parts of the Northeast has been slowly weakening and filling. This storm has left 30 inches in some places. NYC received over 20 inches of snow. Strangely enough, parts of New England had heavy rain, which was north of the area of snow. This was due to the counter-clockwise flow bringing in warmer marine air from off of the ocean. Winds gusted to hurricane strengh in some areas. For us, the storm only brought some rain and windy weather. What made this storm system unique was its movement. It actually tracked NW towards the coast, not northeast as storms usually move. It’s slow movement was also unusual due to a blocking pattern. The weekend will be decent with breezy conditions and temperatures slightly below normal. A new storm system is going to be gathering strength along the Gulf Coast and by Tuesday night, precipitation may be overspreading the area. This could be snow to areas to our north and west. I’ll have a full update on Sunday.