Last weekend's warmth seems like a distant memory in the Northeast as freezing conditions and even some snow chill the region into late week.
Published Apr. 27, 2022 7:55 AM CLT | Updated Apr. 27, 2022 8:57 PM CLT
The return of brisk conditions is expected across the Northeast through the end of the week as a southward dip in the jet stream ushers in cooler weather and the threat of high-elevation snow over the region's interior.
Following the above-average temperatures this past weekend, residents from the mid-Atlantic states to New England might be eager to find out when springlike temperatures will return.
The daytime temperatures observed on Saturday and Sunday cannot return soon enough for those who favor the warmer weather. Daytime highs reached into the 70s and 80s in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Dry weather allowed residents to enjoy outdoor activities and the long-awaited first annual lawn mowing for some landscaping enthusiasts.
In stark comparison to last weekend, on Wednesday, daytime highs across the Northeast ranged between 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the temperatures last weekend.
Highs only reached into the upper 30s F throughout portions of northeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York state, including a high of 39 F in Syracuse, New York. Temperatures were similar in Cleveland, Ohio with a daytime high of 38 F, but did rise into the 40s and 50s across West Virginia, and the coastal Northeast states. In Charleston, West Virginia, the daytime high reached 60 F.
As colder air streams southward from Canada into the Northeast, there will likely be an uptick in winds across the region, with sustained wind speeds ranging between 10 and 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph into Thursday. As a result, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures can dip as low as the teens and 20s F in places like Erie, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York. In comparison, residents in Pittsburgh can anticipate temperatures that feel like they are in the 30s F. The gusty winds and dry air can lead to an elevated risk of brush fires in the region.
Near-freezing to subfreezing overnight temperatures occurred Wednesday morning from Iowa to Virginia.
Freeze watches have been issued ahead of the cold conditions in south-central Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and northern Virginia, late Wednesday night through Thursday morning. Overnight lows can drop to between 30-32 degrees F in Hagerstown, Maryland, and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The pattern will bring multiple nights where there is the threat of a frost and/or freeze over the interior Northeast.
People that planted temperature-sensitive flowers and vegetables outside over the recent warm weekend will need to take the necessary precautions at night.
"With the recent warmth, the growing season has already begun across much of the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and southern New England. As a result, any sensitive vegetation will be at risk for damage with frost or subfreezing temperatures," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.
It is not unheard of for this region of the United States to have freezing temperatures this late in the season, mentioned Douty. In previous years, cities like Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago and Louisville, Kentucky, have reported freezing temperatures from early to mid-May.
In addition to the drop in temperatures, snow showers can make an appearance in the interior Northeast into Wednesday evening. Most wintry precipitation will be light in nature and can mix with rain showers across the lower levels in northern Pennsylvania and New York. Snow showers can linger into Wednesday evening across parts of New York state.
At the same time, periods of snow can fall throughout the night over the higher terrain of Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Maine. Forecasters say that snowfall can persist on Thursday across portions of western Maine.
Accumulations through Thursday will generally range from 1 to 3 inches across the higher elevations of northwestern Pennsylvania and the Adirondack, Berkshire, Green and White Mountains.
Locally higher amounts ranging from 3 to 6 inches will be possible in far western Maine along the Quebec border with the AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 12 inches. "Outside of the snow across western and northern Maine into northern New Hampshire, snow accumulation will be spotty across the region and largely confined to higher elevations," noted Douty.
While temperatures will recover a bit over the central Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic region on Friday afternoon, cold conditions will prevail across much of New York and New England, thanks to brisk winds. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures are expected to be in the single digits, teens and 20s over much of New England and eastern New York on Friday.
One more cold night is in store throughout the Northeast heading into the weekend. Where the sky becomes clear and winds drop off Friday night, temperatures can plummet into the 20s with a heavy frost, especially in rural areas.
By Saturday, with light winds, temperatures throughout the mid-Atlantic region will begin to trend higher and closer to typical values for the end of April. The jet stream position will shift and steer warmer air from the south into the Ohio Valley and the mid-Atlantic region. By the end of the weekend, many cities will have daytime highs reaching near or even slightly above average.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Forecasters say that Saturday should be a pleasant day for outdoor activities as temperatures continue to rebound and dry conditions prevail. Highs on Saturday are expected to range mainly in the 60s throughout portions of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic region while getting into the 50s in New England. Yet another round of frost with freezing temperatures is likely in parts of northern New England and upstate New York Sunday morning.
To kick off the month of May, widespread daytime temperatures in the 60s will be across much of the Northeast. Temperatures in cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will have a chance of climbing to 70 degrees on Sunday. However, occasional showers are expected to arrive across the mid-Atlantic region late Sunday afternoon and evening.
MORE TO READ:
For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
No comments:
Post a Comment