After several stretches of cooler and unsettled weather recently, a much warmer pattern is expected to develop across the Mid-Atlantic and Delmarva region heading into this weekend and continuing through much of next week. Forecast guidance is increasingly pointing toward a significant warm up that could bring the first widespread taste of summer-like conditions to the region this season.
Temperatures are expected to steadily climb beginning this weekend as an upper-level ridge builds across the eastern United States. This pattern shift will allow warmer air from the southern United States to expand northward across much of the East Coast. At the same time, the jet stream is forecast to retreat well north into southern Canada, limiting the delivery of cooler Canadian air masses into the region.
By Saturday, temperatures across Delmarva are expected to rise into the lower 80s under increasing sunshine. The warmer air mass will continue building Sunday with highs likely reaching the middle 80s in many inland locations. Some traditionally warmer spots could approach the upper 80s by early next week.
Forecast data from the National Blend of Models continues to show temperatures climbing through much of next week across Sussex County and surrounding areas. High temperatures could approach 90 degrees by Monday and Tuesday if enough sunshine develops. Overnight temperatures are also expected to become increasingly mild with lows rising into the lower to middle 60s, adding to the more summer-like feel.
The large-scale pattern strongly supports above-average temperatures not only locally, but across much of the eastern half of the United States. The latest Climate Prediction Center 6-to-10 day temperature outlook continues to highlight a high probability of above-normal temperatures stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Upper-air pattern forecasts also show expanding ridging and higher 500mb heights across the eastern United States during the middle of next week. This is typically associated with warmer and more stable weather conditions, especially during the late spring and summer months.
While the warmer temperatures will be welcomed by many after recent cool spells, the increasing heat and sunshine may also begin drying out soils once again across portions of the Mid-Atlantic. The region has dealt with periodic dry conditions this spring, and several consecutive warm days could enhance evaporation rates heading deeper into May.
At this time, the overall pattern suggests the warm conditions may persist through a large portion of next week, although occasional isolated showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out during the afternoons as humidity gradually increases.
