Weekly Outlook: May 8-14, 2017

Let’s clear up a few misconceptions right off the bat. The upcoming week is not going to be a “washout”, nor is it going to rain all day, every day. Sure, it’s not going to be a week to head to the beach, but then again, most weeks in May usually aren’t anyways.

An upper-level low pressure area will remain in place across the Northeast for the next several days. As a result, we’ll be dealing with intervals of clouds and sunshine, occasional showers, and below normal temperatures. By Thursday, this upper low should finally start to pull away from the region. That’s good, right? Well, yes, but the problem is, another upper-low will settle right back in next weekend. This one may be accompanied by a coastal storm, with a chance for some steadier and heavier rain.

Might as well grab a Snickers bar, because that upper-level low pressure area isn’t going anywhere for a while. Loop provided by Pivotal Weather.

As for the day-to-day weather, it’s rather simple, yet it’s not that simple. Confused? We’ll explain. With an upper-level low overhead, most of the days will be fairly similar. We may start off with some sunshine, clouds will develop, and some showers will pop up across the region. That’s the simple part. Trying to figure out when and where the showers develop each day? Not so simple. With no organized systems coming through, it’s not that east to pinpoint where any precipitation will be. Next weekend, however, is a different situation. It looks like a coastal storm may try to move in for Sunday, which could bring in some gusty winds along with cool temperatures and steadier and heavier rainfall.

With the cool temperatures and occasional precipitation, there is also the chance for some snow this week, mainly across the higher elevations of the Berkshires along with the Green and White Mountains. No, we’re not expecting any snow around here. However, this week 40 years ago was a much different story. On May 9, 1977, a very late season storm brought snow to this area, with more than a foot in some places.

Yes, it is still possible to get heavy snow around here in May, as we found out 40 years ago. Image provided by American Weather.

 

Monday: Some sunshine in the morning, then clouding up with a few showers possible. High 50-57.

Monday night: Partly cloudy. Low 32-39.

Tuesday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine, chance for a few showers. High 50-57.

Tuesday night:  Becoming mostly clear. Low 34-41.

Wednesday: Sunny early, then becoming partly to mostly cloudy with some showers possible. High 53-60.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with some showers likely. High 51-58.

Friday: A mix of sun and clouds, chance for some showers. High 54-61.

Saturday: Partly to mostly cloudy with a few showers possible. Rain and gusty winds develop at night. High 53-60.

Sunday: Windy with periods of rain. High 43-50.