Cold and Wind Returning

By Steven DiMartino

As two low-pressure systems begin to interact over the Philadelphia and New York City metropolitan areas Thursday, periods of rain will linger through the evening, leading to wet, cool, and raw weather conditions. Cold and wind weather will return to the region Friday on through Saturday; however, a far more impressive cold snap is on the way for next week.

As the low-pressure systems over the Ohio River Valley and central Great Lakes merge into a low-pressure system off the New Jersey coast by Thursday evening, periods of rain will move through the region. The rain will be light to moderate through Thursday afternoon; however, a few heavier downpours can not be ruled out. The steady rainfall will come to an end Thursday evening. Showers will linger over the region through Friday afternoon as the low-pressure system intensifies over the New England coastal waters. Total rainfall amounts will range from 0.25″ to 0.75″ with locally higher amounts possible.

Winds will back from the southwest to the southeast at 10 to 20 mph through Thursday afternoon and then back to the northeast at 10 to 20 mph Thursday night. Winds will back to the northwest at 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts as the low-pressure system exits and intensifies. Temperatures Thursday afternoon will rise into the lower to mid 50s. Temperatures Friday morning will range from the lower to mid 40s throughout the Philadelphia region. Temperatures will rebound into the lower to mid 50s for highs Friday afternoon.

High pressure will briefly take control Friday evening on through Saturday, with cool weather conditions expected. Scattered clouds to clear skies can be expected through the period with winds from the northwest at 5 to 15 mph. Temperatures will fall into the mid to upper 20s. Temperatures will rebound into the mid to upper 40s.

A weak area of low pressure will produce scattered showers on Sunday. The showers are expected to be light with no significant impacts expected on the region. Most locations will have scattered to broken cloud cover through the day. Low temperatures will range from the mid to upper 30s throughout the region. High temperatures will range from the upper 40s to lower 50s.

High pressure will be in place for Monday and Tuesday with clear skies to scattered cloud cover. Temperatures will moderate ahead of an advancing Arctic cold front leading to mild conditions to start the week. Temperatures on Monday will range from the lower 30s to upper 50s. Temperatures on Tuesday will range from the lower 40s to mid 60s.

An Arctic cold front will drive through the region on Wednesday with periods of rain expected. Temperatures will peak early into the upper 40s to lower 50s for highs ahead of the cold front but then fall through the 40s and 30s in the afternoon and evening. Skies will clear by Thursday with temperatures in the mid to upper 20s for lows and lower to mid 40s for highs.