Mother Nature, Confused?



Forecast high temperatures will be well above average in the eastern third of the nation tomorrow, with afternoon highs approaching 80 near Lowell.






In the meantime, fall foliage is peaking across the area.


Once again, anomalously high temperatures are in the cards for Southern New England over the next couple days as Mother Nature apparently forgot to take her medication this morning.


Served up alongside some peak foliage viewing will be temperatures more typical of late August, with upper 70s to near 80 quite common across the region this afternoon and especially tomorrow. So if you are heading out for a scenic tour, put away your sweater and grab your Shorts!


An area of high pressure will continue to dominate our weather over the next couple days, as SW winds keep us abnormally mild. The weather pattern over the last few weeks has been more indicative of mid-summer, with High Pressure frequently sliding off the East Coast of the US, pumping in warm and mild air - much like the "Bermuda High" that so often supplies us with steamy temperatures in mid - summer.


Our average temperature for this time of year is right around 61 degrees, and we will likely be close to 20 degrees above that come Monday afternoon. For those of you who already put away the summer clothes, don't panic yet - a return to more seasonable conditions appears likely for the end of the work week. Unfortunately, cloudy and damp conditions will accompany the cooler temperatures.


We will also be watching a possible storm developing over the Eastern Seaboard and sliding up to our neck of the woods for next Friday, although more recent computer model runs are backing away from this scenario. We'll keep you posted.


And now for the Lowell Regional Forecast:


Rest of this afternoon: Mostly sunny and very warm. High near 74.


Tonight: Clear, Cool, and Calm. As temperatures drop to the dew point, there could be some patchy fog towards morning. Low 43.


Monday: By far, the pick of the week. Sunny and HOT by October standards, with temperatures near 80 during the afternoon. SW winds 5-10 mph.


Monday Night: Clear and not as cool. Low 51.


Tuesday: Morning sun followed by increasing
cloudiness. Chance of an afternoon shower. Still warm, with highs near 73.


Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and cooler. Slight chance of morning shower. High near 63.


Extended Outlook


Thursday: Continued Cloudy. Highs near 55.


Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers. High near 60.


For WUML Lowell 91.5 FM this is Weather Director and Umass Lowell student meteorologist John Webster.