Timing Couldn't Have Been Better

Usually during the last weekend of Mardi Gras, one day has rain issues regarding parade weather.  However, this year the timing of the rain happened overnight AFTER Bacchus and was gone shortly after daybreak.  It couldn't have been any better as drier air is spreading in for tonight & Fat Tuesday.  The only short term issues are too windy & much cooler temperatures.

After being near 80 on Saturday & Sunday, tonight's parade weather will feel "winter-ish"!  Temps fall into the 50s with wind chills in the 40s.  You'll need the heavy weather gear.  Note how the clouds have aligned themselves parallel to the surface wind flow into what are called "cloud streets".  

The upper low has moved into Arkansas with a deepening surface low north of Atlanta.  That low is expected to "bomb out" and produce a big snow storms for the Northeast.  Winter Storm Warnings are up for NYC & Boston.

As the low lifts away, the clouds will follow leaving us with all day sunshine for Fat Tuesday.  Sunscreen will be required along with several layers of clothing as it'll start off chilly.

There will be a warm up during the week before another cold front plows through for next weekend.  It will remind us it's still mid-February here, but it's not an Arctic Blast.  In fact, I do not see any signs that a "Polar Vortex" will form over the eastern states for the next 10-14 days.  By then, we're reaching March and that higher sun angle works its magic.  It already has on the local Japanese Magnolia (Tulip) trees.

Finally, I showed you snow pictures from my son's (Rob) house in Albuquerque this past weekend.  Satellite views captured that snow band as it spread out across Texas into Oklahoma.

All the clouds over us & Arkansas are swirling around that upper low while the snow on the ground doesn't move.  So cool to watch.  So close, yet so far!  Stay safe & stay tuned!