Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Summer Preview Ends

Today was the fourth day in a row that a 90 degree temperature was recorded on Delmarva. Ocean City was the only spot today that reached 90. Winds were stronger today out of the southwest which kept temperatures down a few degrees from the past three days. The ocean water is now starting to warm up as well. The full sunshine the past several days combined with calm seas allowed the water temperatures to warm up into the mid 50s recorded at the offshore buoy off the Delaware coast. I expect teh ocean temperatures to fluctuate up and down over the next few weeks as storms kick up the colder water below. The Bay waters should have warmed up as well which will be great news for crabbers.

A cold front which has been sitting out in the Midwest over the past several days is now on the move. The frotn will spread clouds and bring and end to the well-above average temperatures. The front will slide through Delmarva Wednesday morning causing a wind switch to the northeast. There will be a chance for showers as most of the showers are placed behind the front. Highs on Wednesday will be much cooler in the lower 60s in many areas. Cool temperatures in the 60s will continue on Thursday before we make another brief run at 80 degrees on Friday.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Storms Continue on Wednesday

A jet stream trough continued over the northeast today allowing for more showers and thunderstorms to develop. An upper-level cold pocket of air shifted across the mid-Atlantic today which destabilized the atmosphere and allowed showers and isolated storms to develop. Some of the showers contained brief downpours and gusty winds. With the cold pocket of air aloft, hail was possible with any thunderstorms and was reported in Virginia. A severe thunderstorm developed late afternoon in southeastern Worcester county, MD and northeastern Accomack county VA which covered the ground with hail 5 miles NW of Chincoteague, VA. Pea to nickel size hail was reported. Drier weather will return on Thursday as the trough lifts out of the northeast.

A ridge in the jet stream will then develop over the east late in the week and hold into next week. This shift in the jet stream will allow warmer air to expand across the mid-Atlantic. Strong late April sunshine will allow temperatures to climb into the low to mid 80s inland this weekend into early next week.