Today:
We will be seeing rain showers that will stay relatively steady throughout the day. Morning temperatures will hover in the mid-60s before peaking in the low 70s in the afternoon. Early evening temperatures will gradually decrease to the mid-60s. Expect wind in the 5 to 10 mph range, with some gusts over 15 mph.
Tonight:
Overnight, expect the rain to stay in College Park. Temperatures this evening will be in the mid-60s, with winds in the 5 to 10 mph range.
Wednesday:
Yesterday’s rain is continuing into today; however, anticipate the rain to slow down as the day progresses. Temperatures are rather similar to today’s trends. They will start in the low to mid-60s. A high temperature of around 70 degrees will be reached by afternoon. Later on, temperatures will drop back into the mid-60s. Winds will be 5 to 10 mph.
Looking Ahead:
For the remainder of our week, high temperatures will climb back into the 80s. After Wednesday, clouds will clear up and give way to sunny skies.
Discussion:
The coastal low-pressure system responsible for the rain we are seeing today and tomorrow came in from over the ocean early this morning. Similarly, the increase in wind speeds observed today and tomorrow is a result of the same low. While we are experiencing the effects of this coastal low, there is a high-pressure system to the north of our area, which is preventing the entire low from continuing on its northwestern track. The meteorological term for this process is a Rex Block, which is when a high-pressure system directly above a low-pressure system, causing the pressure systems to move slowly or stall over a given region. Quite the interesting setup!
Via www.tropicaltidbits.com
You can see the Rex Blocking set-up in the image above, with the pink circle highlighting the coastal low and the purple circle highlighting the high. Also seen in the bottom left of the map is Tropical Storm Mario in the Eastern Pacific Ocean basin!
That’s all for today. Have a great day, Terps!
- Writer: Anjali Vidyasagar
- Editor: Frances Schoenly
Featured image via Anjali Vidyasagar