Brief Cool Down Here, Nor'easter Blasts New England

Computer models have been very consistent in predicting a massive blizzard for the Northeast.  That circulation has brought a drastic change to our weather from yesterday's record high of 86 to today being mostly in the lower 60s.  Brisk northerly winds are making it feel like the 50s, and sweaters and jackets are required.  I moved my potted plants back into my He-Shed even though temps will stay above freezing south of Lake P.  NWS has not changed their forecast lows for Monday & Tuesday.

Those of you on the North Shore & Mississippi Coast will see freezing temps. And some locations away from the Lake, south Tuesday AM will briefly touch freezing.  This is the result of that big Nor'easter.

The surface low is forming near the Jersey Shore with the upper energy diving down from the Great Lakes.  As they phase, look for explosion development crippling travel for the next 24-48 hours.  Here we're enjoying sunshine for several days.

Temperatures are barely below freezing, making for a heavy, wet snow in the Northeast.  If you're dressed for it, locally this is dry, good-feeling air.  With less winds Monday PM & Tuesday, it'll feel great here.

As you can see, after the freeze/frost threat Tuesday morning, you can move your plants back outside for the rest of this week.  Another weak front will pass through late Thursday into Friday with very little cooling behind it.  Stay tuned!

Northeast Blizzard To Bring Us Cold Air, He-Shed May Be Needed?

Historically, once beyond Feb. 20th, the South Shore doesn't get any more hard freeze threats. Typically, March 15th is the benchmark date for gardeners to start planting tomatoes and other warm-season crops. However, occasionally, we do get a late-season freeze threat where you still have to protect tender vegetation.  The next several days will be one of those threats where I might consider moving my plants back into my He-Shed. Since my house hasn't sold yet, I'm still using my shed to provide protection from frost and/or a light freeze.

As you can see, I still have some blooming flowers.  Just going by the NWS (National Weather Service) forecast for Monday & Tuesday, I will probably bring these plants into my He-Shed just out of an abundance of caution.  Monday's lows are on top, Tuesday's on the bottom.

This computer guidance is based off of what both the GFS & Euro are forecasting to happen 

in the next 24-48 hours.

The GFS is on top with the Euro on the bottom.  Both models develop a huge Nor'easter that will cripple travel from D.C. to Boston Sunday PM through Tuesday AM.  NYC has a blizzard warning for the first time in 9 years.  The circulation around the low will drive an Arctic airmass deep into Florida 

with the core of the cold staying to our north and east.  You can wait until tomorrow to move your potted plants, but I prefer doing that while it's still warm.

Nothing is happening yet as all the upper dynamics/energy hasn't phased.  That will change by tomorrow.

You can see the single digits diving southward over the northern Plains.  For most of the eastern 2/3 of the nation, the reality of Winter returns for most of next week.  We'll see a quick warm-up by midweek as the cold doesn't often linger over the South.  It's been another record-breaking day at MSY, and that warmth has bubbled up a few storms, mainly north of Lake P.

We'll all need the sweaters and coats to go to church in the morning.

The cool down will be brief, and we're right back up into the 70s by Wednesday.  I'm sure the networks will be all over the Northeast snowstorm tomorrow and Monday.  Hope nobody has travel plans to go there.  Stay tuned!