WEATHER BLOG: So Long, Sandy

Sandy is finally moving away from the United States. And we finally had some sunshine return. However, the cool air is going to hang around for most of the week.

We only managed a high of 51 degrees Sunday. That's way below the average of 61 degrees. A freeze warning is in effect for counties north and west of Baltimore. Even with some sunshine Monday, we are still only going back up to near 50 degrees and then possibly down to the 20s Monday night. We are going to sit in this wedge of chilly air for a few days - just as a new storm moves our way.

The next storm is moving out of the Northwest, into the Northern Plains. It will dive south Monday, skirt across the Gulf Coast states Monday night, then make a turn up the East Coast Tuesday. Then, this storm is going to intensify as it moves past the Mid-Atlantic Wednesday and Thursday.

Rain will arrive early Wednesday and start mixing with snow as we move through the storm and colder air gets pulled in. The rain/snow line will make a push from western Maryland down to maybe I-95 during the storm. We will come out with more specific amounts in the next day or so. Winds will also be an issue with this storm. Gusts could get up to 40 and maybe even 50 mph, while 50 to maybe 60 mph is possible along the coast. This will create coastal flooding and more erosion.

This storm will be a problem for us, but will give a real body blow to New Jersey and New York where people are still without power, trees are vulnerable and beaches are so beat up.

After this storm moves away Thursday, it looks like we finally get some warmer air moving our way late in the week and next weekend.