Mix of Sun and Clouds Through the Weekend

The headline is a bit misleading- the weekend is not going to be terrible.  However there will be more clouds than sun for the majority of the time.  Friday looks to be the brightest day of all with a mix of sun and clouds and high temperatures in the low to mid 40's across all of Southern New England.  It would not surprise me if some locations that see more sun than clouds approach 50.

Current Conditions 

HPC 530 am Surface Map

(Note- the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, HPC, will become the Weather Prediction Center or WPC in the near future)

Surface chart looks alright for the east coast but at 500 mb its a different story

06z NAM 500 mb vort 1 am EST (NCEP)

You can see the closed off contour right over New England.  Luckily there is not much precipitation associated with the low right now

NWS Northeast Radar 618 AM EST

I expect today to be mainly dry, as does the HPC

HPC day 1 precipitation outlook

The cloud cover forecast for early afternoon off the NAM

06z NAM cloud cover projection 1 PM EST (image weatherbell)

And temperatures

10z RAP 2 m Temps 1 PM EST (image weatherbell)

Eastern CT, all of RI, and MA south of Rt 2 all are the best candidates to approach 50.

Weekend Forecast

A few weak low pressure centers will be spawned by the upper level low.  These will be dump rain but could drop a quick shower or snow shower.  Sunday looks most likely to see any precipitation.  Temperatures on both Saturday and Sunday will be in the low to mid 40's.  Total weekend precipitation

HPC Day 1-3 precipitation forecast

Tomorrow morning I will touch on potential for a strong coastal storm next week.  Trends are that there will be a storm off the east coast, but where exactly is the question.  Precipitation type looks to be wet for the coast, white interior.  With the lack of a pure Arctic High to the north (it will be around Hudson Bay, a bit too far north for March) AT THIS TIME I favor a wind whipped rain for Southern New England.  Plenty of time to watch, have a good day!