Rain Ending, Dry for Several Days
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — After an overnight soaker that dumped nearly 2 inches of rain across southern New England, we’ll dry it out today. High temperatures this morning in the mid to upper 50s will fall into the mid 40s this afternoon. We’re back to a frosty start the next few mornings as high pressure builds in with a lighter wind. No big storms for the next several days. Our next storm may track farther south mid-week next week giving us a chance at some snow as we begin February.
All across southern New England, rain totals were between 1 and 2 inches. River beds are filling up and are in minor flood stage and cresting today. This prompted a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service through Saturday. This is for local areas near the Pawtuxet, Wood, and Pawcatuck rivers.
Wind gusted highest at and offshore as expected. No wind related power outages were reported.
Forecast and graphics prepared by Meteorologist Nick Morganelli
TODAY: Sun and clouds. Dropping afternoon temperatures. Windy. 40s. W 15-25 mph.
FRIDAY Lots of sunshine. High near 40. Light Breeze.
WEEKEND: Dry and mild with sun Saturday and clouds returning Sunday. Highs in the 40s.
Monday and Tuesday: Continued Mild and dry. 40s.
WHY THE MILD, SNOW-LESS WINTER?
A BIG INFLUENCE IS OCEAN TEMPERATURES IN THE PACIFIC.
La Nina (opposite of El Nino and one of the reasons for our mild, snow-less winter) occurs periodically. This year it’s back.
Much like upwelling at our shoreline, the cooler water just below the surface rises when the warm surface water is pushed away by the trade winds. At our Rhode Island beaches, when there’s a land breeze, the same effect happens on a smaller scale. Warmer gulf stream waters are pushed away from the shoreline and cooler water at greater depths along the continental shelf rise to the surface.
Those fast winds at about 5 miles up govern our weather pattern and this is pretty close to what we’ve had this winter so far. We’ll have to see whether La Nina conditions wane in February and March. If they do, that pattern may turn more wintry than spring-like.
January, our normally coldest month, is just about done and it will go on record as a warm one. There is an indication that winter cold and the chance for snow may be in the offing for the last weekend of the month and prepare to welcome February.
