Relief From the Muggies On the Way

After a week in the mid to upper 90's, the air is milder, only in the upper 80's to near 90 as we head into the last of July, but still humid and moisture rich. That is about to change as fairly strong cold front will slide into Virginia today and usher in a few days of cooler and much dryer air. The front will not make the deep south and as it stalls will likely sling some Atlantic moisture back into the Old Dominion making Thursday a bit cloudy but much cooler. We may not reach 80!! The 70's for highs, with perhaps a dip into the 50's overnight is not something we see often in July. Get out and enjoy the lovely weather today on Earth.
While we are in the midst of hurricane season the tropics are quiet, stay tuned, that will likely change!

Cold Ending, Cold Start

2012's last day began with some of the lowest temps of the entire year - in what has been the warmest year since record keeping began. 2012 was also quite dry, ending the year 6 to 10 inches below the yearly average. The new year will continue the cold spell and although the temps will be a little warmer it will only be because of southwestern air flow and clouds. The clouds are from a system now bringing rain and snow to the central Mississippi basin and will likely make the first day of '13 a little messy here in central Va. The storm will lose most of its moisture and punch before it gets here, another bust for snow (and moisture) lovers. The cold pattern seems likely to continue for at least the first week of the new year but without much chance of snow for most of the Old Dominion.
But, since there is nothing but change, we know what to expect in 2013...change!!  Get out and check it out, but bundle up, today on earth.

Sandy

The monstrous Hurricane/Blizzard Sandy is now a nor'easter and wrecking havoc on New England after hammering the New Jersey and New York coastlines. The storm set a record for lowest barometric pressure ever recorded and while not as bad in many places as thought will still linger in minds for years to come.
The cold swept in by Sandy is making for a raw day in central Va. A low of 38 and only 41 by noon reminds us it is not October and that we have been pretty lucky with a mild fall so far. Temperatures will warm to near 60 for the late week with lows in the 30's as we continue to tilt farther from the sun and lose more and more daylight. The sun's return will help make that 60 degrees feel a little warmer.
But, not today. You will need to add layers, build a fire or turn up the heat to stay warm, today on earth.

Last Week of Summer!

Clouds and cool kick off the last week of summer with a large batch of rain headed to the mid-Atlantic for early in the week. Cool and dry condition are ahead for the weeks end. After a cool, dry, lovely week, humidity has come up on this Sunday and dew points will continue to rise into Monday and even higher Tuesday as the big rain comes. A dip in the jet stream will move the rain out and it will feel like fall by mid-week. Fall, with the the sun back overhead at the equator, begins at 10:49am EDT on September 22. As the northern hemisphere continues to tilt away from the sun we keep losing 3+ minutes of daylight per day and that means less heat; the cool season is upon us and will be around for 6 more months. Get out and enjoy the light while it's here, today on Earth.

Cold Front Coming With Change

A strong cold front will bring storms and potential wild weather to the mid-Atlantic for Saturday but also a needed change. Cool, dry, Canadian air will dip well into the south late Saturday and make a pleasant second week of September. Lows in the 50's for the first time this season will make it possible to turn off the AC and open the windows. Temperatures will only be in the 70's for daytime highs.
The remains of Isaac sit in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Leslie is stuck in the Atlantic near Bermuda, Michael is way offshore in the north Atlantic. Another potential new storm is just off the coast of Africa. We are at the peak of hurricane season, pay attention!
Tomorrow's worries here will be hail, wind and heavy rain.
And, then the relief of cool air!!

Isaac Heads East!

The remains of former hurricane Isaac roll on eastward today and looks to bring a damp Labor Day to the mid-Atlantic. The storm has hooked up with a cold front and together they will help with drought issues that much of the country still suffers through. Sadly, for much of the mid-west, this will be too little, too late.  Parts of Virginia still have drought issues but the Old Dominion has faired better than much of the rest of the country. The coming rain will get much of Va. back to average rainfall totals for the year.
Once Isaac and the front clear the coast temperatures will be pretty typical for early September: lows in the 60's and highs in the 80's with humidity being on the low side for the muggy east.
The Gulf Coast, while hit hard by Isaac, is in much better shape than after Katrina but flood cleanup will be ongoing for sometime. The rain should also help get the Mississippi flowing again.
If you plan on being out today, be ready for MUGGY and later a little rain.

One More Day in the 80's

The stationary (formerly cold) front that has been hanging on the NC/SC border and bringing lots of rain to the Carolina's (and southern Va.) will ooze back north and go away allowing hot and humid air to move back into Va. That will present a slight chance of showers today and a low 90's weekend and a mid-90's early week. The coolish and dry (a minor problem) air in central Va. will linger for one more day - it' been a nice week after the furnace of the first week of July - and then it's the real July again.
Enjoy it while you can, there is always change coming, today of Earth.