WEATHER BLOG: Friday Transition

The transition from an unsettled weather pattern to a more tranquil one, especially when there's a strong, upper-level low pressure system involved, can take an average of two to four days.

This goes a long way in explaining how we've been 'in a fair weather slump' between Tuesday and Thursday. Yesterday, snow showers and heavier squalls in a strong northwesterly flow managed to spread out across central and southeastern Pennsylvania.

Some of them even pressed into northern Maryland during the afternoon. So, while some dry air got engulfed into that broad circulation, and much of upstate New York and western New England didn't see substantial snow or rain, there was a coating to 'an inch or three' of new snow in some of Philadelphia and Baltimore's suburbs.

With the northwesterly flow of air prevailing again today, there will still be plenty of clouds, a gusty breeze, and even a flurry here and there... But there will also be some sunny breaks, and as we mentioned yesterday, most afternoon temperatures will be within a couple of degrees of 40.

Since there'll be an impulse of jet stream energy rotating around the upper-level low pressure system tonight, and it is forecasted to move through northern New York State and western New England -- we're inclined to think that the Greater New York City Metro Area and northeastern Pennsylvania will still be fairly cloudy.

But, in areas farther south and west, there should be some clearing occurring.

Better weekend weather is expected, since a high pressure system will begin to gain a foothold in the eastern third of the country.

Temperatures should be in the lower and middle 40s tomorrow, then in the mid and upper 40s on Sunday.

Each day will offer at least partial sunshine.

This milder trend will continue early next week.