March 31, 2001
Well, once again the weather continues to be anything but Spring-like for our area. A dreary day today across the Delaware Valley with highs well below normal for this time of the year. There are good incdications that we finally reach the 60s during the second part of the week. This has been the first March in over 50 years not to record a temperature above 60 degrees in Philadelphia. However, before we get to bask in the milder spring temperatures later in the week, we must first deal with another round of winter-like weather early in the week.
Guidance is throwing around the idea of a shortwave diving SE out of Central Canada and closing off in the Tennessee valley. At the surface, this spells potential rain to snow for parts of the area. Models are generally split as to whether or not the upper low closes off or not. The reason I feel it will close off is based on the average general climatology. It is not uncommon this time of the year, and we've seen this scenario several times since the start of March. My thinking is that a low develops near the Tennessee Valley on Sunday, tracks to C VA, and redevelops off the DelMarVa coast before it deepens rapidly. That would speel some dreary weather once again by Monday. Will go with the chance for rain changing to snow late Sunday night. Monday, chance of light snow early, otherwise partly cloudy with highs around 40.
After we get the early week system out of our hair, all signs point to rebounding temps by Wednesday with highs in the 60s by late week before another storm rips through. If necessary, another update after midnight Saturday. Take care!
