Long Range Outlook

Temperatures have been below normal for every single day so far this month. We aren't the only ones experiencing a cold February. Cold air has engulfed most of the Southeast United States. On the flip side, things have been warmer than normal across the western half of the country.

It looks like we will be stuck in this pattern through at least February 23rd, then things will start to change by the end of the month. The polar jet stream will loosen its grip on the East coast and allow some of the warmer air from the west to move into our area. Until then, temps will generally stay near or below normal (average high is 49).

I've done a lot of calculations, and if the long range forecast holds true, this could end up being the 9th or 10th coldest February EVER. Here is the link for the entire list:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/akq/climate/special/RIC_AVE_T.pdf

Monday's Forecast

It looks like most of the rain will hold off until tomorrow afternoon and early evening. A few wet snow flakes could briefly mix with the rain, but with temps well above freezing, they will quickly melt on impact. I'm expecting minor accumulations in western and northern Virginia, here is the forecast: