BLOG: Spring Swings Continue
After a day and a half of clouds and rain, the sunshine returned today. And after only making it to 50 degrees yesterday, the sun helped warm us up to 74 degrees this afternoon. We are actually going to string together a few warm days but they will come with a price.
Despite the break we got this afternoon, we are still dealing with the same storm from yesterday. Everything yesterday and this morning were caused by the warm front. Now, the cold front is bringing a round of rain and thunderstorms across the state tonight. This cold front is going to stall over the state, and remain a focus for rounds of showers and thunderstorms tomorrow through early next week.
If you are headed out to Easter sunrise services, make sure you check the radar on WJZ.com's weather site. It's a touch and go situation but there could be some rain or showers lingering into the morning. For the rest of the day, there will be a continued chance for a few showers and thunderstorms with that front around. And, if we do get some sunshine to warm us up, any thunderstorm has the chance of going strong to severe. As always, we will be watching the situation and will pass along any watches or warnings if they come out.
With the front stalled around us Monday, there will be another chance for a round of showers or thunderstorms. Then, a new low pressure system will move along this stalled front Tuesday into Wednesday. It will start over the Plains and create a buckling situation where it pushes our front slightly to the north. The low will move toward Maryland on Thursday, increasing our thunderstorm chances even more. This is also one of those situations where there is the chance for severe weather, so we will monitor the conditions daily and keep you informed of any watches or warnings.
This stalled front is not only creating stormy weather, it is dividing cool air to the north and some really warm air off to the south. It will be draped over northern Maryland, putting us on the warmer side of the front. Temperatures will climb close to 80 degrees tomorrow and top out within a few degrees of 80 through Wednesday.
Since we are now firmly in severe weather season, I thought it would be a good time to go over some common severe weather terms.
SEVERE WEATHER: This does not just mean extreme weather. There is a specific meteorological definition to cover this kind of weather. It means a thunderstorm producing hail 1" diameter or more, winds of 58 mph or more, and/or a tornado.
WATCH: This is a term that can apply to all kinds of weather, not just severe weather - including all forms of winter weather. If a watch is issued, it means that conditions are favorable to that type of weather event to occur. It doesn't mean that it's happening now, but there's a good chance it could happen.
WARNING: This is also a term that applies to all types of weather. But unlike a WATCH, a warning means it is happening NOW. Go inside, take cover, whatever it is you need to do for this specific kind of weather to keep yourself safe.
ATTENTION TEACHERS AND STUDENTS:
Our fourth annual Weather Field Trip Day at Camden Yards is right around the corner. This year, it will be Thursday, May 26. If you are unfamiliar with the program, it's a day full of fun. We start out with an action, graphics-filled weather program on the field that features helpers like Nicole Sherry (head groundskeeper), Chris Strong from the National Weather Service and, of course, the Bird. Then, everyone takes a lunch break before enjoying an afternoon Orioles game. Click here for more information.
