World and Nation

Unusual warming trend will continue until Friday

A broad ridge of high pressure will slowly build over the Atlantic this week. As a result of its slow evolution, New England will benefit from tranquil weather through at least Thursday, including a noticeable increase in temperatures. In fact, temperatures could very well reach the upper 60s (19–21°C) by Thursday due to a sustained, southwesterly flow on the western side of the ridge. This flow and its accompanying surface winds should strengthen day-by-day, reaching their maximum by Thursday and funneling in very warm air from the mid-Atlantic states.

Chances for rain should return by early Friday as a cold front marches eastward. The instability with this system appears marginal. The system’s organization will not be like that of the Midwest last Friday, when a strong low pressure and trailing cold front spawned numerous tornadoes and severe storms. That system had plentiful atmospheric wind shear, which allowed storms to quickly rotate. However, this environment is quite unlikely with the front approaching on Friday.