Spring fever alert: Northeastern US to embrace longest streak of sunny weather since fall

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

April 16,2016; 12:45PM,EDT

 

 

The longest stretch of sunny, dry days since the fall will persist into early next week for the northeastern United States, while a spring warmup dominates.
The extended period of dry weather will allow ideal conditions for outdoor projects to commence.
"This will be the sunniest, driest and warmest stretch since last fall [across the Northeast and Great Lakes] with this weekend smack in the middle," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek said.

Conditions will be nearly ideal for construction projects as well as driveway sealing, power washing, auto detailing and lawn care.
Sports fans will be able to enjoy the sunshine and mild conditions, instead of battling rain, snow and wintry cold. In parts of Pennsylvania, anglers will begin their quest for trout under bright sunshine.
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However, precautions should be taken to protect against the strong sun this time of year, Dombek cautioned.
"This time of the year, the sun is strong enough to give a nasty burn," Dombek said. "Be sure to wear sunscreen and sunglasses if you will be outdoors in the direct sunlight for an extended period."
Those partaking in vigorous exercise in the low humidity can dehydrate quickly. Be sure to drink plenty of water.
Painting and staining can be done during episodes of dry weather in the spring, such as this. Humidity levels will be rather low during the midday and afternoon hours, which could pose a challenge due to paint drying too fast and leaving brush strokes.
Those working on painting and staining projects should follow instructions on labels pertaining to ideal temperature and humidity.
In order for some paint and stains to properly cure, temperatures must remain above a certain level at night, according to Lowe's.
Daytime temperatures will climb into the 60s F from the upper Great Lakes to northern New England and into the 70s around the lower Great Lakes and much of the mid-Atlantic during the weekend.
On Monday, in parts of the Great Lakes and New England temperatures can touch 70, while portions of the mid-Atlantic make a run at 80.
"The only exceptions to the daytime warmth will be right along shoreline of the ocean, bays, sounds and lakes, where temperatures may be 10-20 degrees lower by day," Dombek said.
Temperatures will drop quickly during the evening hours. However, while the nights will be cool, temperatures will be significantly higher, when compared to recent weeks.
It can still get cold enough for a bit of frost early in the morning over the northern tier states and in some of the valleys of the interior mid-Atlantic.
Because of this, people should avoid planting annual flowers and warm season vegetables this early.
If you bought or raised such plants indoors, you can harden them off in weather such as this by bringing them indoors at night, according to Burpee's Garden Advice Center. Be sure to keep the plants well-watered.
The next chance of rain will be Monday morning in the upper Great Lakes, Monday afternoon in northern New England and Monday night elsewhere in the Great Lakes and Northeast. Except for northern New England, the rainfall will tend to be very spotty.

A brief press of cooler air will follow the showers for the middle days of next week.