7:43PM<\/p>\n
COMMENTARY…
\nHere it is, the opening long weekend to the Summer tourism and recreation season, or at least that’s what popular belief is. Summer may be a few weeks away from its astronomical beginning, but for most people, Summer arrived the moment they freed themselves up for this weekend, if they were lucky enough to do so. There is a built-in dilemma that some people may recognize, regarding the weather, at this time. Most people want great weather for outdoor activity, which means little rain and near or above normal temperatures for this time of year. And this season, after enduring the Winter we had, the desire for such conditions is especially strong among the majority of folks. The dilemma: It’s dry. We need rain. Obviously, no matter what you want for weather, the atmosphere is going to do what it’s going to do. So using that logic, why feel guilty for wanting good weather this weekend? And most of it will be very nice. If that’s the case, then just enjoy it…and be safe!<\/p>\n
SUMMARY…
\nA late shot of very chilly air is heading in on a gusty northwest wind this Friday evening and will make tonight and the early hours of Saturday feel rather cold for late May. A frost threat exists in the valleys especially in the I-495 belt. Most of the region will be protected from frost by an active breeze, which will not allow perfect radiational cooling to set up. Radiational cooling takes place when wind is light or calm and the heat escapes upward. The more dense, cold air stays near the ground and pools in the valleys. A gusty breeze keeps this from happening by keeping the air mixed. Think of a glass of water and oil, which would separate with the more dense water going to the bottom and the less dense oil going to the top. If you keep stirring it with a spoon, it won’t separate so easily. That gusty breeze will continue into the day Saturday, though temperatures will recover to respectable levels after the cold start, and this will occur with 100% sunshine. By Sunday, the high pressure which brought the chill in will sink to the south and a more west to southwest wind will allow for a more significant warm up under a mostly sunny sky. While we are enjoying 2 sunny days, there will be heat and humidity building across the US Southeast and pushing into the Mid Atlantic States. The leading edge of this air mass will approach southern New England on Memorial Day Monday, and the result will be a day that does not stay bright and sunny like the 2 preceding it. Clouds will increase. Though most indications are that it will stay dry, almost any time you have this set up you have to watch for some patches of very light rain at the very least, so keep that in mind. If it were to occur, it would probably be later in the day, as timing looks now. And then comes the genuine Summer preview once the warm front passes. Tuesday through Thursday of next week should resemble July with warm to hot air, more humidity, and a daily risk of showers and thunderstorms, though it is not likely that any widespread beneficial rain will occur, just scattered areas that may get some. Looking way ahead, a cold front may move closer to the region by Friday with perhaps a better shower\/t-storm risk.<\/p>\n
SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
\nTONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 35-40 rural\/suburban areas, 40-45 coast\/urban areas, exception in sheltered valleys where 30-35 and scattered frost may occur. Wind NW 10-15 MPH with gusts above 20 MPH, but under 10 MPH in sheltered valleys.
\nSATURDAY: Sunny. Highs in the 60s. Wind NW 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.
\nSATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows in the 40s interior, around 50 coast. Wind W 5-15 MPH.
\nSUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 60s South Coast, 70s to around 80 elsewhere. Wind WSW 5-15 MPH.
\nSUNDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows in the 50s. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.
\nMONDAY – MEMORIAL DAY: Increasing clouds. Slight chance of very light rain late day. Highs 60s South Coast, 70s elsewhere. Wind S to SE 5-15 MPH.
\nTUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY: Variably cloudy with a daily risk of mainly afternoon showers \/ t-storms. Rain-free most of the time. Humid. Lows in the 60s. Highs 70s South Coast, 80s to near 90 elsewhere.
\nFRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers\/thunderstorms. Humid. Lows in the 60s. Highs in the 70s.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
7:43PM COMMENTARY… Here it is, the opening long weekend to the Summer tourism and recreation season, or at least that’s what popular belief is. Summer may be a few weeks away from its astronomical beginning, but for most people, Summer arrived the moment they freed themselves up for this weekend, if they were lucky enough … Continue reading Memorial Day Weekend Forecast<\/span>