After last week’s mid-summer like heat and humidity this week is nearly a 180 degree turn. Again this morning temperatures were in the 40s to mid 50s with crisp air allowing for great sleeping weather without any heat. Our heating season usually begins sometime in October when the first cold morning and cold day forces many of us to turn on the burners. For now, the afternoons will be warm enough to keep the house from getting too chilly during the night. As the sun gets weaker and weaker later this month and in October, it will be more difficult to warm up the inside of your home during the day, even with full sunshine.

The weather the next couple of days remains rain-free. At times it may look like rain and there could be some drizzle along the coast tonight and early Wednesday, but a general rainfall isn’t going to happen.

We will have a wind off the water which is going to keep temperatures coolest along the coast and mildest inland. There is a weak weather system to our south with an area of rain and clouds. Here in southern Maine skies will remain nearly cloudless all day. Some clouds could spill north into extreme southern sections of coastal York County overnight.

Sunshine returns tomorrow, especially after a few morning clouds. Highs again will be in the upper 60s to lower 70s. If you are in a shaded area it will feel cool, but in the strong September sunshine it will be very nice.

Thursday a frontal system approaches the area. This is going to do two things. First, ahead of the front warmer and more humid air will ride north and be with us all day. Secondly, there will be an increase in the risk of showers, especially in the afternoon and evening.

A new and chilly air mass for September arrives this weekend. Highs will be in the 60s and the air will be crisp.

If we don’t get any rain Thursday from the cold front, it’s going to be a while before we do see rain as this dry pattern is locked in place.

Snow
Now, I am not wishing for snow, not for a long time. I would love to see no snow until late December. However, in some parts of North America there is already snow and it’s accumulated. In Calgary Canada there is a snow warning in place for up to 6 inches of snow. With the leaves still on the trees and the ground still warm this won’t last long, but it’s still snow and it’s not even the second half of September.

El Nino
El Nino is likely to be a major player in this winter’s forecast and ultimate weather. Already we are seeing an increase in sea surface temperatures in the different regions of where El Nino’s take place. The strength of the El Nino and the depth of the warmer water will determine how large or small the impacts to our weather. The chart and the map below show the current status of ocean temperatures in the Pacific region and how far above the average is the anomaly. More on this phenomenon in the coming weeks.

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