Weather! Race day looking sunny, but cold

Hope you got to enjoy Thursday, as it’s going to be the last warm, reasonably clear day for this week. If we’re lucky, this weekend will be either clear or warm, but certainly not both, and Friday likely will be neither. A pair of low pressure systems crossing through the area are going to bookend the weekend, leaving Saturday clear for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K, but the rest of the weekend is likely to be a washout.

March 25, 2010; 7:47 PM • by Weather Dan

Shameless plug: If you haven’t already, go take a look at my winter recap. It’s a nice breakdown of exactly what we saw this winter and what makes it significant.

Hope you got to enjoy Thursday, as it’s going to be the last warm, reasonably clear day for this week. If we’re lucky, this weekend will be either clear or warm, but certainly not both, and Friday likely will be neither. A pair of low pressure systems crossing through the area are going to bookend the weekend, leaving Saturday clear for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K, but the rest of the weekend is likely to be a washout.

Friday is not going to be a fun day. Rain is beginning this evening, and should last through the morning Friday. While temperatures are only going to drop into the low 50s tonight, they won’t recover tomorrow, as a low pressure system and accompanying cold front cross the region Friday morning. Temperatures will peak in the low 50s in the morning, as temperatures drop through the day, hanging out in the low 40s until after sunset. A strong wind won’t help make things any warmer, either. There’s the chance of a freeze with some lingering moisture and lows Friday night right around 30, so make sure to take care of any plants or pets you may have put outdoors to enjoy the previously warm weather.

These low temperatures Friday night will also make for a very chilly Saturday morning for the Monument Avenue 10K. Race day temps will still be in the low or mid 30s for the 8:30am race start. Make sure to take care and dress warmly. Winds will drop off as the low pressure system moves offshore Friday night, so they shouldn’t be as much of an issue as the day progresses, though it may still be breezy early Saturday morning. High pressure behind the cold front means that it will be a beautiful day; sunshine will help to keep everyone feeling just a bit warmer. Temperatures Saturday night will fall back into the mid 30s, while clouds begin building in overnight in advance of the next low pressure system.

Temperatures will mediate a bit on Sunday, hanging out in the 50s to near 60 most of the day. While it will be reasonably warm for the time period – the average high for March 28 is 63 degrees – cloudy skies will dominate. Rain should make its return later in the afternoon, pretty much washing out the rest of your weekend if it hadn’t already. Protip: Don’t be “that guy” and wash your car on Saturday; it only guarantees that everyone else blames you for the rain on Sunday. I’ve been there. It’s not cool.

Long term, Monday and Tuesday aren’t looking much better; I’ll have more on that Monday morning. Good luck to everyone running in the 10K Saturday.

March 25, 2010 7:47 PM 1