Severe Weather Outbreak, NE Snow Storm, Winter Returns Here

While we are experiencing record-breaking warmth here, the battleground between Spring and Winter is creating all sorts of nasty weather.  Fortunately, the main upper energy is far to our north, and that is keeping the severe weather risk over the Midwest & Ohio Valley.  That is where the upper-level split in the jet stream is currently located. There is a level 3 risk for damaging storms up there.

A Tornado Watch is in effect as T-Storms erupt in the warm air sector.  It's a different story here, where we just have an early Spring preview that makes us feel more like early April.

We have 2 more days of flirting with records before it's back to the reality of typical February weather.  Here's why the change is coming.  Watch how the energy from the big storm over California shifts to the East Coast by Sunday & Monday. We begin with the current pattern.

Notice how the upper trough shifts to the East coast by Sunday, Monday & Tuesday.

What I see is the upper trough does NOT dig down over the Deep South, and that will/should keep the core of the cold to our north & east.  At this time, I am NOT planning on moving my plants back into my He-Shed as temperatures south of Lake P. should stay well above freezing.  I might change my mind IF it looks like Monday & Tuesday mornings give the South Shore chances for some frost.  North Shore should prepare for a light freeze at worst.

In the short term, we stay very warm, even overnight.  Note the Arctic air coming down out of Canada.  Right now, that should veer eastward and just brush us for 3 days.

A big warm-up follows the chill for Wednesday & Thursday.  A note of caution, if you plan to travel to the big cities of the Northeast, beware of travel delays, as a big snowstorm (1-2 feet) could cripple cities from D.C. To Boston.  Here, just keep the sweaters & coats handy for Sunday through Tuesday.  Stay tuned!

Spring Warmth Lingers, Winter Returns Sunday, Back To Coats & Sweaters

This had to rank right up there as the best Mardi Gras weather for parades in memory.  I've been here for 48 years, and to have none of the major parades rained on is very unusual.  It always seems that some/many Krewes just have bad luck.  But not this year, as the rains came overnight on Saturday and were gone by daybreak on Sunday.  Monday & Tuesday were near perfect, and I enjoyed watching Rex from a beautiful home on Napoleon Ave. with my special partner, Valerie.

The Rex floats were colorful and much smaller than the big super Krewes, but they kept up the Rex tradition.  I was fortunate to meet a new friend (Robert) who owns a home 2 doors from the new Rex toasting stage.  Food, Family, Bathrooms, and of course, crawfish!

To borrow a line from the late Jackie Gleason..."Oh how sweet it is!"  Hail Mardi Gras 2026! Don't get used to this warm weather, as we are not done with Winter.  Currently, the upper pattern has the trough over the West bringing them much-needed rain & snow.  Look how that trough will flip to the Eastern states for next week.

The top & middle graphics are the current pattern, while the bottom is valid for next Monday.  Why is that important?  Because it brings back the northerly flow out of Canada, where it is still very cold.

What I'll be watching for over the next 2 days is whether the eastern trough deepens.  Right now, it does keep the core of the cold away from us.  Any freezes next week should be confined to the North Shore.  It's a reminder for gardeners that we can see frost/freezes well into mid-March.  Don't start planting tomatoes yet!  Until Saturday, we stay warm.

See the Arctic cold over Montana with below-zero temps.  We need to pay attention during the next several days to make sure that airmass doesn't plunge over us.

We will be flirting with record warmth for the next 3 days, but then you see what's coming.  There will not be any severe threat with the front on Sunday as the main upper energy stays well to our north.  Stay tuned!