DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 1-5)
Mother Nature is getting set to give you an example of why “Meteorological Spring” does not automatically mean springlike-weather. After all, the first 19+ days of the it take place during winter. Our reminder comes in the form of an arctic cold front crossing the region today with a minor snow event, which also brings in a very cold air mass that will be with us through Monday and into early Tuesday too. Unlike last Monday, though, we won’t be dealing with any blizzards, just dry and very cold weather. Unsettled weather does make a return as we head to later Tuesday and early Wednesday as low pressure makes a run at the region form the southwest. This one brings milder air, so after our next round of precipitation starts as snow later Tuesday it transitions to sleet then rain (maybe a period of freezing rain for some areas depending on how quickly the surface temperature warms). A weak area of high pressure brings an interlude of drier weather from mid through late Wednesday, but as it stands now the boundary being nearby brings lots of clouds for Thursday. The midweek period will feature slightly milder air here.
TODAY: Cloudy morning-midday with a period of snow or snow showers west to east – accumulations of up to but mainly under 1 inch mostly on existing snowcover and unpaved / non-cement surfaces. Clearing with the return of sun west to east this afternoon. Highs 31-38. Wind W up to 10 MPH during the morning, NW 5-15 MPH with gusts 20-25 MPH this afternoon.
TONIGHT: Clear. Lows 3-10. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts in the evening. Wind chill often below 0.
MONDAY: Sunny. Highs 23-30. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts in the morning, diminishing later on.
MONDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows -5 to +2 inland / valleys, 3-10 coast / urban areas. Wind calm.
TUESDAY: Clouding over. Snow/sleet arrives southwest to northeast afternoon. Highs 32-39. Wind calm becoming SE up to 10 MPH.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain in the evening – pockets of freezing rain possible in some locations. Temperatures steady 32-39 early then rise slightly. Wind variable up to 10 MPH early, becoming W late.
WEDNESDAY: Clouds break for sun. Fog patches early morning. Highs 42-49. Wind W up to 10 MPH becoming variable then SE by late-day.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows 32-39. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 42-49. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.
DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 6-10)
Low level cold, upper level warm-up translates to a rain/ice/sleet chance as low pressure moves in March 6. Chance of getting into the warm sector to start next weekend (March 7) before a cold front brings back chilly weather to end the weekend (March 8) based on current timing and expected track of low pressure. Fair, chilly to seasonable weather late period as high pressure moves in. Note of reminder: The switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on March 8 (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT).
DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 11-15)
Looking for unsettled weather early period marking a transition from seasonably cool to above normal temperatures, but lasting for a brief period before colder weather makes a return at the end of the period as the volatile late winter pattern continues.