Last day of 80s?



The water vapor satellite image (click to enlarge) above depicts the amount of water content held in mid-atmospheric layers, with dark blue/pink areas being very moist, and yellow areas being very dry.

The moist air ahead of a boundry system currently over the Great Lakes will be in our area tomorrow - which means more humid conditions and a chance for showers.

Note the bright pinks and blues over the Gulf Coast, where very moist air is contributing to a severe weather threat. A tornado watch is in effect for that area.

Today's recorded high temperature at the Umass Lowell Weather Observatory was 79F - 19 degrees above average for this time of year. Many areas of the region hit or eclipsed the 80 degree mark today - the mercury topped of at 83 just to our north inNashua. With crystal blue skies and warm, summer-like temperatures, it was an October beach day if I've ever seen one.

But, this is New England, and as the popular saying goes, if you don't like the weather - wait a minute.

Tomorrow will begin the transition to more seasonable temperatures, as a cold front slides to our east during the afternoon, ushing in some cooler air for midweek. Computer models have been cranking out the winds tomorrow, so be advised that we could see gusts up to 30 mph from the SW come tomorrow afternoon ahead of the front.

Our next big weather maker will be towards the end of the week. A meandering upper level disturbance currently bringing severe weather to the Gulf Coast will track oh-so-slowly northward, and could help to generate some rainfall just in time for late saturday/sunday. The atmospheric dynamics are rather similar to last weekends quick-hitting rainmaker, so at this point it does not look to be a prolonged heavy rain event, but some downpours could be affecting the region come Saturday Night.

And now, here's the forecast.

Greater Lowell Forecast:

Tonight: Partly cloudy and mild. Areas of fog possible toward dawn. Night-time lows will be closer to expected highs this time of year (60F), with temps only dipping to 55 by morning.

Tomorrow: Increasing clouds, with showers likely by afternoon. High near 72. SW winds will be busy, especially in the afternoon, with gusts up to 30 mph.

Tomorrow Night: Mostly cloudy with evening showers likely. Low near 51.

Wednesday: Morning clouds followed by afternoon clearing. Slight chance of an early shower. Cooler, with highs near 64.

Thursday: Sunny and seasonable. High 59.

Extended Outlook

Friday: Mostly sunny. A tad warmer, with highs in the lower 60s.

Saturday: Becoming mostly cloudy, with showers possible later in the day. Highs in the lower 60s.

For WUML Lowell 91.5 FM, I'm Umass Lowell Student Meteoroloist and WUML weather director John Webster.