Mild And Soggy Final Weekend of 2019

Even with cloud cover, our Christmas warmth won’t be going anywhere soon. And not just cloud cover, but rain chances will be on the increase as we face a mild and soggy final weekend of 2019.

Maybe a Sprinkle Friday?

As we close out the week, a weak disturbance will try to scoot through the region this morning.

Low's way up in Canada, combined with not great moisture...and sprinkles are what you get. (WPC)
Low’s way up in Canada, combined with not great moisture…and sprinkles are what you get. (WPC)

A weak front will attempt to spark off a couple of sprinkles in the WABBLES area during your morning commute (or long-weekend-sleep-in).

Might amount to about 20 raindrops. Maybe. (Pivotal Weather)
Might amount to about 20 raindrops. Maybe. (Pivotal Weather)

Otherwise, those will skedaddle rather quickly during the mid-morning hours and we’ll be left with mostly cloudy skies for the balance of the day.

If this day were a Pokémon, it would be called Gloom. (Pivotal Weather)
If this day were a Pokémon, it would be called Gloom. (Pivotal Weather)

Despite these lingering sky blankets, afternoon high temperatures will still be well above normal with the airmass that remains in place. We’re talking afternoon numbers topping out near 60° once again. As the clouds thin only slightly for the overnight hours, we’ll only fall to about 50° (which is 5° above the normal high for late December.)

Dry Start, Soggy Finish for Saturday

A stronger storm system has it’s eyes trained on the region as we officially begin the final weekend of 2019.

When I say "mid-latitude", you say "cyclone." Ready? (WPC)
When I say “mid-latitude”, you say “cyclone.” Ready? (WPC)

The warm front may spark a few showers off by the early afternoon tomorrow. This sets the stage for breezy southwest winds (10-15 MPH, gusts up to 30 MPH) to help return warmth and moisture to the region for the cold front later on. Even with clouds, afternoon highs top 65°.

Dang near shorts weather. (Pivotal Weather)
Dang near shorts weather. (Pivotal Weather)

The first waves of rain start moving in during the evening and overnight hours tomorrow.

Here's how the NAM thinks this will play out. (Pivotal Weather)
Here’s how the NAM thinks this will play out. (Pivotal Weather)

These first waves could drop an initial 0.25″ or so across the region with more coming during the day on Sunday. As for temperatures, they fall only slightly, not far from lows near about 58°. That’s almost 10° warmer than an average late December high.

Looking Soggy for Sunday

Sunday looks like another great day to stay inside as the cold front finally looks poised to sweep through with one last shot of rainfall.

Oh boy! More showers! (Pivotal Weather)
Oh boy! More showers! (Pivotal Weather)

Can’t even rule out some thunder as the front passes through with the possibility of some heavier downpours embedded in the showers. Adding another inch or two of rain to a year with an 10 inch rainfall surplus (and that including going nearly a month without rain!).

GFS even going with (an I think high) three inches this weekend! (Pivotal Weather)
GFS even going with (an I think a bit high) three inches this weekend! (Pivotal Weather)

Temperatures will remain mild as well until the front passes, with highs right around 65° or so once again. Overnight lows tumble as the front passes and rain begins to taper, back to around 40° or so.

2019 Homestretch

The final two days of 2019 are looking seasonable and dry as high pressure builds into the region. We’ll see partly to mostly cloudy skies grace the region once again as highs look to stabilize close to about 45° or so…which is right where we should be, with overnight lows right around 30°.

That just about does it for me! Follow our live weather feed @wxornotbg for the latest updates on your soggy weekend forecast. Have a terrific Friday!