May 2nd, 2011 Forecast

An approaching cool front will take its sweet time crossing the Mid Atlantic.  Unlike the last storm system that took a couple of days to cross the region, this one does not have the benefit of a Bermuda High pressure system on the East Coast to transport warmth up the coast.  As a result, temperatures for tomorrow and Tuesday will not be as warm overall as they were last week when we had a somewhat similar setup.   This also means a reduced threat of severe weather in the South and Ohio Valley in the coming days.  Although some nasty weather can't be ruled out a repeat of last week's tragedy is not expected.

Around here, passing showers and even some rumbles of thunder will be the norm through midweek, with the focus for precipitation shifting from west and north on Monday and Tuesday to the region itself on Wednesday as the front finally crosses the region.   Showers for tonight and tomorrow will be scattered for the most part in our area as more widespread precipitation falls across Western and Northwestern Pennsylvania.   Temperatures tonight drop to the upper 40's to around 50 in the region, with Monday's highs ranging from the lower 60's north to the upper 60's in Philly and Delaware.  The Shore will be a bit cooler thanks to an onshore flow off of the Atlantic but temperatures should get to 60 or a touch above even along the immediate coastline.

The Week Ahead:   Tuesday's warmth is lower confidence and based on the potential for some sunshine to break out during the day as a weak warm front lifts north along the slow moving cold front.  That cold front crosses the region with occasional rain during the day and sets the stage for a coolish second half of the work week as temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday hang in the low 60's for highs.   We moderate towards the end of the week, perhaps with a shower on Friday evening as a weak disturbance works through the region.   Next weekend looks rather nice as temperatures approach, then gradually surpass, 70 degrees.