Spring Tease Before Another Chill

Colder than average temperatures settled into the Commonwealth Monday and Tuesday after a strong Winter Storm moved through the Northeast. Parts of Central Virginia received the snow showers from this system on Sunday, falling heavily enough at times to cause drivers to need to slow down because of reduced visibilities. However, the snow did not stick around in Virginia for long, but it sure did to our Northeast! Check out some of these snow totals (in inches):

...MAINE...
FARMINGTON 26.2
BRIDGTON 25.0
WELLINGTON 23.0
HARTFORD 21.0
BANGOR 12.0

...NEW HAMPSHIRE...
LOST RIVER 21.0
SUNAPEE 15.5
CLAREMONT 10.0

...VERMONT...
SUTTON 20.6
NEWARK 18.8
WARREN 18.0
LYNDONVILLE 16.0
NORTH MONTPELIER 12.0

...NEW YORK...
WILMINGTON 12.0

...MASSACHUSETTS...
CLARKSBURG 8.0
SAVOY 7.5
(DATA FROM THE HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER)

We will get a break from the cold blast through the rest of this workweek, as high temperatures climb back into the 60’s Thursday and Friday. However, another storm system will move through Friday and Saturday, sweeping a cold front through Friday night and ushering in a return to colder temperatures to start the first two days of March. Temperatures are expected to be well below average again from the Mid-Atlantic through the Northeast March 1-2.

Comet Lulin Visible Tonight

If you don't mind getting out in the cold late tonight, Comet Lulin will be visible to the unaided eye. The best time for viewing will be around 1 AM, and sky conditions in central Virginia will be ideal. Look toward the southern sky and find the brightest object in the sky, which will be the planet Saturn. If you look just a little southeast of Saturn, you'll find Comet Lulin, appearing as a faint greenish-blue smudge. Below is a sky map for additional guidance. Binoculars or a telescope will reveal a much better image of this fast-moving comet. Bundle up if you head out, as temperatures in central Virginia at 1 AM will be in the range of 22 to 25 degrees.

Blustery Monday With Fire Risk

Wind gusts at Noon are currently 25-30 mph in much of Central Virginia from the Northwest. This will keep fire danger elevated through the afternoon, as relative humidity values remain below 35% in much of the region. Wind gusts will weaken below 20 mph after sunset.

--Carrie