January 16, 2001
Dense fog has enveloped the region within the past several hours. Areas of dense fog and a shower or two will be the forecast for the remainder of the overnight hours. Lows in the mid 30s. Tuesday will start off cloudy but clouds will begin to break by afternoon, giving way to partly cloudy skies with a high around 45.
The system for Wednesday, which guidance was hinting would affect our region, will pass harmlessly out-to-sea off the Southeast Coast later on Wednesday. Skies here will be mostly cloudy with the chance for a couple of flurries late in the day and Wednesday night. High Wednesday in the mid to upper 30s. Thursday will be pleasant with the high near 40.
Questions still remain about a potential storm system for our area late in the week. Tonight's model suite is quite a bit faster with the evolution of the storm, hence, farther west, but this is not even close to etched in stone yet. A weak shortwave will be headed eastward along the Canadian border late on Thursday. Meanwhile, an ejecting piece of energy will be moving Eastward in the deep South. Most models now slow the northern stream energy enough that both systems phase by Friday allowing a decent sized Winter Storm to move Northward along the Appalachians. A handful of guidance hints at redevlopment along the coast, but if, where, and how strong is still to be decided.
Will go with increasing clouds Thursday night into Friday morning. Mostly cloudy on Friday with a chance for snow to rain during the day. Highs in the mid 40s.
Things looks to clear out Saturday with highs in the upper 30s. Sunday will be partly cloudy and cold with highs in the low 30s.
So, things will clear out on Tuesday, giving way to partly cloudy skies and a high around 45. Wednesday will feature inclreasing clouds with a flurry or two late. Thursday will be fair with highs near 40. Questions the arise as to timing, strength, and track of a system pulling out of the western Gulf early Friday. For now, will go with a track along the Appalachians or just East with weak redevelopment possible late Friday off the mid-Atlantic Coast. That spells a close call for our area. Leaning towards mainly rain at the moment unless guidance does something surprising in the next 24-36 hours to change the outlook. Next update available early Wednesday morning.
