November  2013 has been a rollercoaster month of temperature with 11 days coming in below the average,  8 above and one spot on the normal mark.   Monthly temperatures are often made of wild swings and this can be particularly true in those months that lead us into winter or summer.   

I’ll be updating the forecast for the week on Twitter at @growingwisdom Please follow me there. Feel free to comment or ask questions too.

This year, winter temperatures are setting in early and the cold is going to become deeper later this weekend and early next week.  Before the arctic air arrives we have two days of more typical late November weather.

Today features a lot of sunshine.  During the afternoon the highs will reach the lower to middle 40s.  It will feel quite pleasant outside and a good day to get some of those chores done we all do before the snow comes.   If you are at work, it will be a nice day to walk during lunch or perhaps even sit outside depending on how tolerant you are of readings in the 40s.

Daylight is at a premium this time of year as the next 4 weeks take us to the winter solstice and the peak of the long nights.  If you are able to get outside and allow yourself to be in the sunshine, even for 15 minutes it does have a big impact on how you feel both mentally and physically.  Exposing yourself  to sunlight during the winter helps keep our body clocks in check and can help you sleep more regularly.

Friday will bring a return of the clouds and just an outside risk of a few showers.  The radar image below is based on the North American Model and shows a few light rain showers over southern Maine around 8 AM tomorrow.  There are also a few show showers in southern Canada which could filter into the mountains.

Since we will add clouds to the forecast tomorrow it won’t feel as mild nor will readings reach quite the same level as today.  I still expect us all to hit at least 42F during the afternoon.  It won’t be very cold tonight either with a southerly wind.  Lows only fall into the upper 20s.

Saturday brings a return to sunshine and seasonable readings in the 40s.  Winds will be relatively light so leaf raking can be done.  The sun is up 15 minutes before 7 and down just after 4 for less than nine and half hours of daylight.  We still have about 30 minutes of light to lose during the next 30 days before we slowly turn the corner the last week of December.

An arctic front passes off the coast Saturday night and opens the floodgates of cold and blustery air for the second part of the weekend.  Sunday is going to feel like a mid-winter day.  Of course in January the highs can stay in the single digits and we won’t be that cold, but with the temperatures under freezing all day and a very gusty wind, wind chills will fall well into the teens and even single digits so prepare to bundle up.

Temperatures moderate a bit Tuesday and Wednesday of  next week as a storm passes to our east.  After the storm goes by another round of very cold air hits the area for the Thanksgiving and shopping the following day.

 

The storm I just mentioned looks to stay far enough away to not give us anything more than a few clouds.  However, whenever you have a large ocean storm close this time of year it must be closely watched.  If the computer models we use start to bring the storm closer, it would impact the area on Wednesday.  Right now, I feel confident our dry pattern is going to continue and the storm is OTC (out to sea).

Around the House This Week I know some of you are already thinking about Christmas trees. Did you ever consider there are great trees you can add to the landscape that make great Christmas trees? Even if you don’t decorate the tree, it will still be a wonderful addition in the landscape.

I’ll be updating the forecast for the week on Twitter at @growingwisdom Please follow me there. Feel free to comment or ask questions too.

Copy the Story Link