More mild days ahead for northeastern US despite early week cooldown

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

March 12,2016; 6:52PM,EST

 

 

Cool and dreary weather will make a comeback into the northeastern United States on Monday, but that will not be the theme of the new week with mild air quickly returning.
Jackets and long-sleeved shirts have not gotten much use across the Northeast recently, but many residents may be pulling them back out of the closet to end the weekend and start the new week.
The combination of rain advancing from the south and cool air pouring in from the east to northeast will make for a dreary day or two from the mid-Atlantic to New England.
Rain will spread across the mid-Atlantic on Sunday, spoiling outdoor plans in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

As the rain persists over the mid-Atlantic and expands northward into New England on Monday, the cool air will hold firm east of the Appalachian Mountains and lead to the coolest day since last weekend.
Temperatures in most communities from central and eastern Pennsylvania northward will be held to the 40s. Some places will fail to even see temperatures rise out of the 30s, especially in the mountains and parts of northern New England.
That will be a stark contrast from the record-breaking highs in the 70s and lower 80s earlier this week.
The air can be cold enough at the rain's onset for a wintry mix in northern New England.
Breezy to windy conditions will create even lower AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures. The winds will blow the strongest along the coast and could result in minor localized coastal flooding at high tide along the mid-Atlantic coast on Monday and the New England coast on Monday night into Tuesday.
RELATED:
Early eastern US warmup may jumpstart spring allergy season
The best places to see spring flowers
Know when rain will arrive with AccuWeather MinuteCast®
The combination of the rain, winds and low-hanging clouds could lead to slower travel for both motorists and airline passengers.
"After the recent warm spell, which quickly spoiled the Northeast, Monday will feel chilly," AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel said.
"Warmth is relative and it doesn't take much this time of the year to give the illusion to people that it should be warm now through September."
After being able to enjoy long walks, fire up the grill and open the windows during the recent warm and sunny days, Monday will feel downright miserable for those spending time outdoors.
Mild weather fans, however, will not have to wait long for temperatures to rebound.

While the dreary weather focuses on northern New England on Tuesday, the chill will release its grip from the rest of the Northeast and allow temperatures to once again rise 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
Spotty showers and some clouds will still be around, but will not significantly dampen the day.
By midweek, 60-degree warmth will once again pour into southern and parts of central New England with highs in the 70s overspreading the southern mid-Atlantic, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Typical highs for mid-March range from the 30s in northern New England to the middle 50s around Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
Wednesday will likely be the warmest day of the week as temperatures will then trend downward later in the week as a weakened state of the storm set to target the Midwest tracks eastward.
Temperatures should still not fall below normal late in the week. There could be a cool breeze and snow showers in the mountains and the eastern Great Lakes depending on the strength of the storm.
"Keeping normals in mind is important. It is still only the middle of March. Think back to past springs, there will still be cold spells and the potential for snowfall," Samuhel said.
A storm may target the Northeast or Great Lakes around the first day of spring (Sunday, March 20) and should open the door for another cool shot that may finally return temperatures closer or below normal for the first few days of spring.
The storm will have to be monitored for snow along its northern and western fringe.
Despite the cooldown to start spring, AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok foresees more warm episodes for the Northeast this spring.