Warmup Trend on Tap for the Northeast by Midweek

Posted: May 9, 2023 9:28 am

Tuesday is setting up to be a cooler day for much of the Northeast, however, forecasters are giving residents hope that a summer like warmup is in store for the Mother’s Day holiday weekend.

Here is a look at the forecast for this corner of the U.S. this second week of May.

Warmup Will Follow Brief Cooldown on Tuesday

It was a relatively pleasant weekend for the Northeast with warmer temperatures and drier conditions. But that warmup is about to be a thing of the past on Tuesday as a quick-hitting disturbance moves through the region.

This weak disturbance will usher in clouds and rain for the interior Northeast and the mid-Atlantic.

Some areas of Pennsylvania and Ohio started to see the rain pick up on Monday night. By Tuesday afternoon and evening, a large area of the mid-Atlantic could see thunderstorm development.

This potential zone of impact includes the cities of Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Raleigh. Motorists will want to exercise caution when heading out on the roadways in this region as heavy rain could impact travel.

Conditions will be cloudy and cooler even in areas that dodge the rain and the storms. The mercury will settle in the mid 60s for a high for most of the interior Northeast, a part of the country that enjoyed readings in the mid 70s over the weekend.

This roller coaster of temperatures has been the norm for the Northeast this spring. High temperatures have varied by as much as 25 degrees through the first eight days of May in some communities.

Bulge in Jet Stream Will Create High Pressure and Corresponding Warmer Weather

The good news for those itching for a long stretch of warmer weather is that a better forecast is on the horizon. A northward bulge in the jet stream will set the stage for high pressure to build in the Northeast and beyond by the middle of this week.

While the rising temperatures will make their presence known beginning Wednesday in the Ohio Valley, it will be Thursday before the higher readings hit New England. How warm will it get?

Forecasters are calling for daily high temperatures in the 70s throughout Ohio, Indiana, and up into upstate New York and New England. These readings will fall well above normal for this time of the year, translating to weather that typically occurs in the middle of June rather than the middle of May.

It will be even warmer moving to the south. Cities such as Baltimore, Nashville, and Charlotte are predicted to see the mercury climb into the 80s. This will be a departure of about 10 degrees above normal for mid-May.

In addition to the warmup, the high pressure zone will also encourage drier conditions. This will be a good stretch of weather for outdoor activities. Unlike some of the other spells of warm and dry conditions this spring, this upcoming stretch will have some staying power.

Looking Ahead to Mother’s Day Weekend

Unfortunately, forecasters are warning that a new round of wet weather could make its way to the East Coast by the Mother’s Day weekend. Meteorologists are expecting the rain to hit as early as late Friday across the Ohio Valley.

It is still too early in the week to pinpoint with accuracy what parts of the East Coast will see the rain this weekend. It could remain dry for areas north of Philadelphia and New York City through the holiday weekend.

However, you will want to keep an eye on the forecast in the coming days if your Mother’s Day plans will take you outside.

Cities along the Interstate 95 corridor that are located farther south, including Washington, D.C., will have a higher chance of experiencing scattered showers over the weekend. The wet weather will also bring a cooling effect, taking the temperatures down to closer to their historical averages.

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