2:15 PM | Big changes coming; tropical update

Discussion

A strong cold front will sweep through the Mid-Atlantic region later today and this will set off a chain of events that will change our overall weather pattern to much cooler for the weekend and then much drier next week. The upper level low pressure system associated with this front will spin only slowly through the Northeast this weekend and, as a result, showers are possible in the Mid-Atlantic at just about any time from later today through Monday, but it won't be a total washout. Winds will increase this weekend to go along with the much cooler conditions and it’ll feel more like November with snowflakes possible at some of the highest elevations in the Northeast. The weather begins to calm down somewhat by Monday night although another shower or two cannot be ruled out to start the new work week on Monday. Beyond that, however, it looks like clear sailing for several days later next week with lots of sunshine and dry weather allowing for some serious drying out of the currently saturated grounds here in the Mid-Atlantic. Elsewhere, the tropics are still quite active with what is now a “major” hurricane, Ophelia, and Tropical Storm Philippe which are both churning over the Atlantic. The good news is that neither system is ever likely to directly affect the US mainland. This has been a very active tropical season so far with 16 named storms (2nd most active behind 2005); however, there have been only 4 hurricanes which is quite a low amount given the number of named systems.