Weather! Weekend update

Got outdoor plans on Sunday? Now’s the time to grab an industrial-strength umbrella.

March 4, 2011; 3:32 PM • by Weather Dan

Some high clouds are starting to blow across the region, in advance of the cold front and low pressure system crossing the Ohio Valley this weekend. Skies are still partly sunny this afternoon, but that will change quickly beginning tomorrow.

Saturday‘s still looking mostly dry, as the rain stays relegated to the western side of the Appalachians. A cold front will begin its approach from the west behind the rain, and clouds and temperatures will both pick up in advance of the front. Mostly cloudy skies will help keep some heat in and send temperatures into the mid 60s tomorrow. It should be a great day for getting some yardwork done in advance of the rain, if you’re into that sort of thing. Temperatures tomorrow night should only drop to near 50.

The rain begins in earnest early Sunday morning. Sunday’s going to be a soaker, but thankfully not a cold one, as temperatures peak in the low 60s.

However, the latest guidance from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center shows that we’re in for quite a bit of rain Sunday. We’re looking at at least an inch of rain by 7pm Sunday evening, and possibly as much as an inch and a half, which will do great at making a dent in our early-year drought. The rain will begin to taper off overnight, with temperatures dropping into the upper 30s, as the cold front passes through the region and offshore.

Behind the front, conditions will improve as we go through the day on Monday, as the clouds break up and temperatures climb back into the mid 50s, before falling into the low 30s overnight. Conditions look good for the early part of next week after this front passes; I’ll have a complete update on Monday.

March 4, 2011 3:32 PM 0