Showers..and Other Stuff

Posted by Pete Bouchard

Few showers still pushing through this evening. We're looking at a period of dull, gray weather in the next two days. Not a lot of opportunities for seeing the sun. However, there is a good supply of mild air stewing about. We'll stay on the sticky side with high temps climbing near 70 each afternoon.

So far, the pick of the week is Friday. Plenty of sun and warm temps. I'm pushing the numbers right into the mid 70s! Soak it in, because the weekend is not as plum.

Big weather news of the day revolves around the announcement by The Weather Channel to start naming winter storms. They propose the following list for nor'easters, blizzards, and any other winter weather events that meet their criteria:

Marketing tool? Gimmick? Nerdy weather geek stuff? However you label it, it's catchy and puts a spin on what can be a long, cold (and for some, depressing/miserable) season.

Meteorologically speaking, however, I cringe. Who really 'owns' a winter storm? When did The Weather Channel get the authority to devise their own impact scale for winter storms? (What folks in the Mid-Atlantic will call a major storm could be run-of-the-mill in New England.) Where does this stop? Will tornado outbreaks get names next? And really, is a snowstorm as crippling as a tropical cyclone?

The Weather Channel claims that naming a winter storm will raise the awareness of it. Really? We are super-saturated with information these days. If you miss the blaring headlines a major nor'easter that's en route, (which we sometimes start forecasting for a week in advance) you just aren't tuned into the forecast (or winter for that matter).

Lastly, the names really get me. Gandolf? Draco? Are we watching a Harry Potter Weekend on The Family Channel? After watching endless hours of storm coverage, I can honestly say I'd be ready to drift off with Frodo to the Shire.

This will undoubtedly cause a stir at watercoolers and online chat rooms in the days/months ahead. From my experience, no other season garners more attention, predictions, eyeballs and emotion more than winter.

And judging by the hype that this naming has caused, that's precisely the point.

Pete

More Warmth

Posted by Jeremy Reiner

You have another warm & humid day with many towns repeating yesterday's weather. That means we start with clouds & fog for a bit before hazy sun gets going. That hazy sunshine will boost temps up into the low 80s by early to mid afternoon across much of the region. At the same time a cool front will begin dropping out of Maine (backdoor front) which will quickly send temps from the 70s/80s down into the 50s/60s by late afternoon & evening. Also, when this front rams into the warmth & humidity it will spark a few showers & thunderstorms during the afternoon.

Summ-ah!

Posted by Pete Bouchard

With the snap of the fingers we were thrown into summer this afternoon. Heat, humidity, A/C and shorts - with a hazy sun to boot. But with the sea breeze knocking back the temperatures (and bringing in a round of downpours this evening), there are changes afoot.

Feet First

Posted by Jeremy Reiner

Right into summer. Warm & humid weather expected for much of the week. Good?.....Well, keep in mind that warmth & humidity are the 2 key ingredients for thunderstorms. The last being something to *lift* that warm/humid air. Usually a front is a good device to do such that. Today, we will have a cool front approach New England very late in the day & evening. That may lead to an isolated storm or two after 4pm but most towns just have a fair amount of clouds, warmth & humidity. Temps will climb to near 80 by afternoon.

Warming Up and Unsettled

Posted by Chris Lambert

Well, it certainly was a great weekend weather-wise until this afternoon when the temps dropped and light showers moved in from west to east.  Despite the cool down, the theme for this upcoming week is warmer with higher humidity.  It'll also be unsettled at times.