WEATHER BLOG: Periods Of Rain

We're looking at 'winter and spring' on a collision course in the Northeast early this morning. After yesterday's cold and biting winds, which are much common early in March rather than the first few days of April, the latest "clipper" is on the move early today... It is poised to move swiftly to the east. The track of this feature will ultimately determine which places will have temperatures no higher than the 30s later today (north of its track), and which will encounter a temporary southwesterly 'blow-torch' flow (well to the south of its track). This surging warm air will send temperatures in parts of the mid-Atlantic region soaring into the 60s and low 70s.

Periods of rain today, especially from the New York City Metro Area on south and west, are expected to occur primarily from mid-morning on (or, it will start after 9 or 10 a.m.)... These are locations where the temperature should rise into the low and mid-50s this afternoon. And, this clipper's cold front will manage to punch into the some of that warmer air located near the Mason-Dixon Line this afternoon and this evening. Therefore, occasional rain this afternoon may be accompanied by some thunder and lightning -- after cities like Baltimore and Washington climb into the lower 70s.

But, just when some of us experience 'much more tolerable temperatures' this afternoon, colder air will come roaring back into the region tonight. With clearing expected this evening, and a brisk wind that will shift to the north and northwest before midnight, temperatures will be falling sharply once again -- a lot like they did on Saturday night. By daybreak tomorrow, most of the region will be in the low or mid-20s, which will result in a hard freeze. As for the balance of tomorrow, expect some sunshine, but it will be brisk and much colder once again -- afternoon temperatures will be in the low and mid 40s.