Thursday, October 30, 2008

Watch & Warning

One of the biggest confusions that I hear people talking about is the difference between a watch and a warning. A watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a certain type of weather event, and is a recommendation for planning, preparing, and to be alert for changing weather. Watches are generally issued for 6-8 hours at a time and for large areas. A warning is issued when the severe weather event is imminent or has been reported, warnings are usually issued for smaller areas and include the exact areas a storm will affect. Weather events that are usually issued as watches and warnings... snowstorms, blizzards, heavy blowing snow, heavy rains, frost, cold waves, freezing rain, severe thunderstorms, tornado, hurricanes, flooding and strong winds.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Below Average Temperatures Return

After a milder weekend with highs in the 70s on Saturday and mid 60s on Sunday, 50s are back in the forecast. A dry cold front will cross Delmarva on Monday allowing a cold air-mass currently in the Great Lakes region to move into the mid-Atlantic. An upper-level trough containing the cold air will move into the mid-Atlantic for Tuesday and Wednesday allowing daytime highs to struggle to reach the mid 50s with overnight lows in the 30s. The trough will begin to lift out for Thursday and Friday with highs returning to near average in the 60s on Friday.

The weather this year for Punkin-Chunkin looks to be milder than last year. Expect highs to be in the 60s on Friday, near 60 on Saturday and 50s on Sunday with dry conditions.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Cold Start Monday

It was a frosty start this morning over inland areas of Delmarva. Low temperatures dropped through the 30s and even reached 29 at one point this morning at the Salisbury airport. The record low for today was 25 we were not quite as cold as it could be this time of year. Tonight, the temperature has already dropped to 32 in Salisbury with everyone else in the 40s. I expect the temperatures at the airport tonight to fluctuate in the low to mid 30s. Frost is still possible tonight but not as widespread.

A dry air-mass with breezy conditions on Tuesday will increase the fire threat. Be very cautious when burning outdoors.


Tides continue to run a couple feet above average along the Chesapeake Bay. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect along the Bay until Tue AM.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

First Widespread Frost

Temperatures are expected to drop into the mid 30s in the inland locations tonight. The clear skies combined with light winds will allow the potential for frost to develop as temperatures drop through the 30s. The average date of the first frost is Oct. 15, so we are a few days late this year. Remember sensitive plants can be killed in a frost. To be safe, either cover or bring in any sensitive vegetation you may have.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Record Highs Thursday

Southwesterly winds ahead of a cold front allowed temperatures to soar well into the 80s across the shore today. Georgetown reached 87 degrees, breaking the old record of 86. Wallops Island also went down in history today with a high of 85, breaking the old record of 81. Salisbury tied the record high today of 85 which was set back in 1947.

A cold front will slide through Delmarva tonight allowing northerly winds to transport cooler air into the mid-Atlantic. Fall-like temperatures return this weekend with highs in the low to mid 60s. An area of low pressure will develop along the front keeping clouds around Friday and Saturday. There also will be a chance of a shower on Friday, mainly for far southern Delmarva. The low pressure will intensify as it moves farther offshore on Saturday. As the low moves farther off the coast on Saturday, skies will begin to clear out Saturday night and become mostly sunny for Sunday.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Above Average Temperatures

Autumn seems to be taking a break as temperatures soar to near 80 degrees in many locations on Delmarva. The jet stream has aligned well to the north of Delmarva as a ridge of high pressure aloft and at the surface remain over the mid-Atlantic. This is causing the atmosphere to warm up with the above average temperatures. A west wind continued all day warming Ocean City up to 80 for the high. Highs will be near 80 for many of the inland locations on Tuesday and Wednesday as more of a southerly wind develops. A cold front will slide through on Thursday ending the above average temperature streak. Highs will be near average on Friday and return to well below average for the weekend.

As the jet stream ridge breaks down for the end of the week, it will be replaced by a trough. If the trough amplifies enough, an area of low pressure may develop just off the coast. If the low is close enough to the coast, some rain is possible for Saturday. Right now expect clouds and cool temperatures but any shift in the track would change the forecast.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Typical Fall Weather this Weekend

Chilly nights and warm afternoons are the rule over the weekend. This is typical for the early fall season. Are average high and low for Salisbury is 74 and 51. We bottomed off at 38 degrees this morning and rebounded up to 71 this afternoon. The upper-level trough over the east will begin to lift out over the next few days. Expect highs temperatures to remain in the low to mid 70s with lows in the 40s and 50s this weekend. There are no big rain chances coming up in the next several days so it will be a dry start to October. This is not uncommon as October is one of the drier months. The average rainfall for the month of October is 3.64" for Salisbury. We are down about 3.75" on the year for precipitation. Enjoy the pleasant weather!!!