Tim Kelley: Hot Stormy Summer 2010 Intermission

July 29, 2010, 7:51 pm

Danielle Niles: Change is on the way...

July 29, 2010, 7:43 am
It feels like you can practically cut the humidity with a knife out there this morning, doesn't it?  At least that's the case in southern New England.  If you don't like this soupy airmass, don't worry - it won't last too much longer.  In fact, drier air has already been working into the North Country, and it will press southward through the day today.  The comfortable humidity levels come behind a cold front that has been sweeping across New England this morning.  We've been tracking a few scattered showers in southern and eastern New England along this boundary, and that threat will continue in those areas through the mid to late afternoon.  A few embedded thunderstorms are possible too, from a line from Boston to Providence to Hartford, points south and east. The Cape and the Islands will be the last to see the front come through around 6 pm. 

You'll be able to open up the windows and let the fresh air in tonight as temps drop into the 40s in the deepest valleys and hilltops, to the 50s and lower 60s for the remainder of New England.  Tomorrow will be noticeably less humid and very refreshing.  Temps will rise to the lower 80s inland, but hang in the upper 70s along the coast with afternoon sea breezes.  Sunshine will be plentiful during the morning, but clouds will build during the afternoon. 

And of course we need to talk about the weekend!  Saturday looks absolutely gorgeous; we'll enjoy mostly sunny skies and temps around 80.  Here's the deal with Sunday - there will be a few more clouds, but most of New England will be dry and cool with highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s.  Moisture associated with a strong onshore flow may try to bring a few showers or thunderstorms to western New England, but it doesn't look like a washout.   We'll keep you posted. 

Enjoy your Thursday!

Danielle Niles: Humidity on the rise

July 28, 2010, 9:14 am
Humidity will be on the increase across the region today, as high pressure slips off the Mid-Atlantic coastline bringing a gusty southwest wind to New England.  Temperatures will top out in the 80s across the North Country, around 90 in central New England and into the lower 90s in much of southern New England.  The hot summer of 2010 continues!  So take it easy out there today, especially if you have respiratory problems, because ground level ozone (smog) will be on the high side in some areas.  In fact, air quality alerts have been issued for parts of Connecticut, south central MA, and the coastline of Maine until 10 PM this evening.   Otherwise, expect plenty of sunshine and just a few high thin wispy clouds this afternoon. 
 
By this evening, a cold front approaching from the west will spread clouds over northern New England, and bring a few showers and thunderstorms into northern and western VT by dinnertime.  Overnight, this front will continue to press east, slowing down as it does so.  We'll wake up to scattered showers and embedded thunder that will push from northwest to southeast.  The best chance for showers and storms will be from mid-morning through mid-afternoon, lingering until the evening for portions of the south coast, Cape & Islands.  Scattered clouds out ahead of the front may inhibit the risk for severe storms, but heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds will still be possible, so keep an eye to the sky.
 
Behind this front skies will clear and a cool, refreshing airmass will works its way into New England to end the week.  The start of our weekend looks great too with plenty of sunshine and highs in the lower 80s (70s at the coast!).  Sunday will feature more in the way of clouds, but we should be dry.  There is a slight risk that some moisture to our south may try and sneak into southern New England, but for now, we'll keep an optimistic outlook and nail down the details in the days to come.
 
Stay cool!
Danielle