I’m a third-year atmospheric science student at Cornell University who has been blogging about the weather since 2011. While I’m not officially a meteorologist, I have accumulated a bit of experience forecasting both local weather (in western Maine and New Hampshire) as well as national/international weather during my time writing for weather.us and weathermodels.com. I also have experience programming in Python, teaching concepts in weather forecasting, and communicating forecast information to general audiences.
A bite-sized storm system will impact the region today with showers and maybe even a thunderstorm or two thanks to instability that will arise as temperatures cool rapidly aloft. Some filtered sunshine is possible this morning, especially in northeastern parts of the area, but clouds will become widespread as the storm approaches. Most of the area is dry as of 6:30, but showers will arrive in southwestern NH shortly before proceeding northeast. Additional showers and storms will pop up this afternoon, with the greatest coverage and intensity seeming to fall between 1 and 6 PM. Showers during this time may produce small hail, graupel, gusty winds, and lightning in addition to bursts of heavy rain. The foothills and mountains stand the best chance at seeing showers transition into a steadier heavy rain event with a quick 0.5-1.0″ likely to fall this afternoon. That’s not a ton by itself, but combined with the rain we’ve seen over recent days it may support some minor flooding of the usual low-lying areas. High temps today will range from the low 40s along the Midcoast shoreline to the mid 50s in interior southern NH. Showers will taper off around sunset with the loss of daytime heating.
Our sunrise soakah is in full swing east of the ME/NH state line as I write this around 7:30. Heavy rain is ongoing especially near the coast, where some rumbles of thunder are possible east of Brunswick. The heavy rain may cause some localized ponding on roads and flooding of the usual low-lying areas, but no major issues are expected. Rapid improvement in weather conditions is expected midday as drier air moves in from the southwest. Skies will clear from southwest to northeast and temps will rise into the mid to upper 50s with some higher temps near 60 likely closer to the MA border and cooler temps in the mid 40s likely up in the north and mountains. A stray shower can’t be ruled out in southern NH as daytime heating supports some instability with cooler air aloft, but the bulk of any precip today will fall this morning.
It wouldn’t be a New England spring without a few of these days right? Easterly winds off the Gulf of Maine combined with a slow-moving storm advancing from the west will keep temps low and cloud cover thick across the area today. A few breaks of morning sun and less influence from the cold ocean will put the warmest temps north and east of Augusta where the upper 50s are possible. For the rest of us though, 50 will be the magic number, plus or minus a couple degrees.
A batch of rain currently loitering along the CT river may make a push northeast into our area over the next few hours, though I’m skeptical most folks would see anything more than a brief shower. Rain is most likely and will last the longest in the mountains before that batch of showers loses steam later in the afternoon.
Breezy and unsettled conditions will develop overnight before a classic sunrise soakah tomorrow as the bulk of this storm moves through our area.
Today’s weather will largely be governed by a strong area of high pressure to the north which is being kind enough to kick a weak storm system offshore to our south. As a result, we have some high clouds filtering across the area this morning but outside of southern NH, most of today should be fairly bright. There are some thicker mid-level clouds to our west over upstate New York which may dim the sunshine a bit in central parts of the area midday. That said, only southern NH seems to be at risk for precipitation as dry air holds steady across the rest of the region.
Today’s warmest temperatures, near 60, will be found up near Augusta where sunshine will be strongest. A sea breeze will hold the Midcoast to the low 50s while the mountains still have some snowpack to melt off before they can rise much past the mid/upper 40s. Onshore flow and thicker clouds will keep a low lid on temps south of Portland, ranging from the mid 40s near the shoreline to the low 50s inland.
Today looks like a fantastic spring day across New England with clear skies and mild temps. Light NW breezes will keep the mountains a bit cooler, in the mid 40s, while the coastal plain warms into the upper 50s/low 60s. A sea breeze will attempt to kick up in the afternoon but it will mostly be held at (Casco and Penobscot) bay by the prevailing NW breeze. Enjoy the lovely weather!
Northwest breezes will return today and there’s very little moisture upstream over Quebec. That means that after a few morning mid-level clouds depart the Midcoast in the next couple hours, the region will enjoy abundant sunshine today. High temps will range from the mid 40s up north to the upper 50s in the south. Enjoy the lovely spring weather!
Today will feature overcast skies and generally quiet weather as a disorganized storm slips offshore to our south. We’re a bit too far north to see much in the way of impacts from this system, but some upslope snow showers are possible on the southeastern side of the mountains (thanks to SE breezes) and some of the storm’s steady rain may work its way into southern NH this afternoon. The onshore flow will put coolest temps along the coast, with highs in the upper 30s, while low 40s prevail in the mountains and the foothills work their way into the upper 40s.
Northwest winds will set the stage for a generally clear day along with some warmer temps, especially along the coast. Satellite imagery this morning shows some stratocumulus lingering especially in the mountains, but as drier air moves in over the next few hours expect these to fade to sunshine across the area. Temps will be coolest up in the mountains in the mid 30s while the coast makes a run at 50.
Today will feature the beginning of a late-week warming trend as low pressure begins to stroll across the Great Plains to our west. Look for northwesterly breezes to shift more towards the west as the day goes on and morning sunshine gives way to afternoon clouds. Highs will range from the low 30s up in the mountains to the upper 40s along the coast. No precipitation is expected across the area today, but a round of snow and mixed precip will move in tonight. Impacts will be minimal but you will notice some slick spots on the way out the door tomorrow morning, especially in the north and mountains before warmer air moves in from the south.
Today will feature a nice reminder that spring in New England doesn’t come easy. The cold air that has been pouring into the region aloft over the past few days will finally hit the deck today, keeping temps well below what we’d expect in late March. Highs will range from the mid 10s up north to the upper 20s right along the shoreline. Any breaks of sun you might get along the coast this morning will quickly become obscured as daytime heating clouds pop up. These clouds will drop snow showers and possibly some squalls across the region during the afternoon. The strong late-March sun, even through the clouds, will prevent much accumulation but watch for reduced visibility and some slick spots on the evening commute. NW winds will also be gusty at times, especially in the mountains, pushing wind chills into the single digits. Nothing we can’t handle, but there have been a few 60-70F days between us and the last time it was this chilly so there will be a bit of a shock to the system on the way out the door.
Forecasterjack 