Colder Air and Moisture Moving Through Ohio Valley, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic This Weekend

Posted: April 15, 2023 11:53 am

A change is on the way for much of the Ohio Valley and the Northeast this weekend. The dry and unseasonably warm week is going to change dramatically as scattered showers and thunderstorms thwart the outdoor plans of millions of Americans hoping to take advantage of spring weather.

Some of the storms may pack a punch, turning severe in many communities. Here is the latest on this more seasonable forecast.

Seasonable Cool and Wet Conditions Return

Forecasters have been warning residents in the eastern half of the country to enjoy warmth while it lasted, predicting that this weekend would bring a return to more seasonable conditions. This prediction is coming to fruition already in some places.

The warmth was nice while it lasted. Some cities in the Ohio Valley, the mid-Atlantic, and New England saw record temperatures on Thursday as the mercury climbed to readings up to 30 degrees above normal for the middle of April.

For instance, Central Park in New York City saw its fourth earliest 90-degree reading in recorded history. Thursday was also the first day since September 4, 2022 that the Big Apple saw the temperature crack the 90-degree mark.

While this surge of warmth was welcomed by most people wary of the winter weather, the heat also contributed to an increase in brush fires across the region. A fire in West Milford hit about 1,000 acres on Thursday before finally being brought under control on Friday.

The upcoming rain for the area is part of the same storm that inundated South Florida with over 25 inches of rain on Wednesday. This system is moving to the northeast throughout the weekend, starting with the mid-Atlantic in its sights.

Surge of Cool Air on Tap

Along with the moisture, the weather change will be felt through much cooler temperatures. For example, the temperatures on Saturday will be about 10 degrees cooler than what many areas saw on Thursday and Friday.

The weather maker will also bring the threat of locally heavy rain and isolated storms during the latter part of the day Saturday. The areas most at risk of severe weather include portions of northern Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

While the storms are not expected to be widespread in nature, those in the potential impact zone will want to keep an eye on the developing situation if they have outdoor plans.

The good news is that the rain will bring any lingering brush fires under control. Unlike some of the rain events this spring, this weekend’s system is not predicted to be paired with strong winds.

Looking Ahead to Sunday

The mid-Atlantic will begin to dry out on Sunday, making this the better weather day of the weekend. However, the storms will move up into the Northeast and beyond on Sunday. This system will meet up with a robust cold front coming into the Ohio Valley to close out the weekend.

The result will be a good chance of torrential rain and thunderstorms in an area stretching from lower Michigan and down into Kentucky, Ohio, and the western edge of Pennsylvania.

Travelers on interstates 77 and 71 will want to be aware of potentially dangerous driving conditions on Sunday, including gusty winds, small hail, and reduced visibility. The strong winds along with the heavy amounts of precipitation will also increase the risk of power outages.

The storms will begin to lose their potency as they move to the east later Sunday night. However, the central and northern Appalachians may still see some lingering thunder and rain well into the overnight hours.

This robust cold front will push eastward to start the work week, bringing an end to the summer like conditions the region saw over the last several days. The significantly cooler air will also bring in more moisture. Snow will be a possibility for the higher terrains of New England.

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