Weather: Cold and Steady
By Greg LawsonSTAFF METEOROLOGIST -- The synoptic picture for New England is dominated by a large, healthy low pressure system centered over northern Maine, both at the surface and aloft. If the lows at different levels are viewed as separate entities, they are said to be “locked” -- held stationary because neither is in a position to help move the other along. But regardless of how you choose to interpret it, the columnar structure will be slow to move out of the region, meaning that current conditions will be persistent. Winds go counter-clockwise (“cyclonically” in the Northern Hemisphere) around a low pressure center. This means that the low is bringing in air from over the ocean, through the Canadian Maritimes and Quebec, eventually down to us. Expect strong, chilly, southwesterly winds. Because of the fetch over the ocean, the air will be somewhat moist as well. This “wrap-around” moisture will bring most of eastern Canada and even New Hampshire cloudy skies and possible snow showers. We should remain flurry-free while enjoying only partly cloudy skies.
Once the low is finally pushed off to sea, a large high pressure system will take its place. Though the skies will be less cloudy, the chilly winds will remain. Look for a return to more seasonal temperatures by Friday.
Today: Windy and chilly. Persistent 20 mph southwesterly winds. Partly
to mostly cloudy skies. High of only 40°F (4°C).
Tonight: More of the same. Low of 27°F (-3°C).
Wednesday: Windy and chilly. Same persistent winds. Skies clearing in
the morning. High of 41°F (5°C). Low around freezing.
Thursday: Eventual slowing of the winds. Slow warming. Mostly clear
skies. High in the upper 40s (8-10°C). Low in mid 30s (1-3°C).
Friday and Beyond: Warming back to normal temperatures -- high in
low 50s (10-12°C), low in the upper 30s (2-4°C).
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