Fall Preview?

2012-08-26 18:37:03.000 – Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist

Saturday Sunset

Summertime has it’s advantages: warmer temperatures, longer days, and generally more placid weather. I have always loved summer, on the summit or in the valleys; particularly this year, as I’ve managed to knock 20 of NH’s 48 4000-footers off my list.

However, the meteorologist in me has been a little bored this summer, as our shift seems to have been given the less-than-desirable title of ‘boring weather shift’ this year. Don’t get me wrong, I took full advantage of the ‘boring’ weather, but I’m getting a bit antsy for some vintage Mt. Washington weather.

It looks as if this is on its way.

The strong cold front that could give us our first fall-like blast of the season has been in the computer models for a few days, but only recently has it been shaping up to be a dramatic passage.

Temperatures have been breaking into the 50s and lower 60s for the past five days, along with a good deal of sunshine, and only the occasional rain shower. This has all been thanks to a ridge of high pressure that has sat over New England since we’ve arrived on shift.

Tomorrow, this ridge will finally get a nudge out to sea as a trough and an associated cold front set their sights on New England. The result looks to be lots of showers and storms overnight Monday, then a big jolt in wind speeds on Tuesday. One model is forecasting winds by Tuesday night to reach over 50 mph sustained, with which we would expect gusts nearing and possibly surpassing hurricane force. A big cool down is also expected Tuesday night, with lows reaching down into the low to mid 30s!

After a tame shift week (weather-wise), it looks as though things will end with a snarl!

Mike Carmon,  Weather Observer/Meteorologist