Did you ever wonder where the local weather forecasts are made? Pictured above is our local National Weather Service Forecast Office in Upton, on eastern Long Island, this past weekend. For a long time the office was located at Rockefeller Center before increasing rents and a desire to be at Brookhaven National Lab pushed them out. Nearly 31 inches of snow was measured at the office. Perhaps more remarkably, if you melted the snow down and add in the rain they had 4.89 inches of liquid precipitation. That's a lot of rain even for a severe thunderstorm or tropical storm. Speaking of liquid precipitation we're going to have a fair amount of rain and fog today as a warm front inches northward across the region. Normally the deep snow pack would hinder any warming but the approaching air mass is warm enough that we'll reach the mid to upper 40s today, which is perfect for a shirtless run in the park. However, the rain and melting snow may result in localized flooding.
Where a warm front often leads a cold front is sure to follow. That front looks like it will pass late this evening, bringing a rapid end to any precipitation. The air behind the cold front is more dry than cold. We can expect a blustery Tuesday with a high in the lower 40s.
For the rest of the work week it looks like we'll see a series of low pressure systems skirt the area. None of these appear to be particularly disruptive systems so, weatherwise, your Valentine's Day should be nice. Daily highs are expected to be in the lower 40s through Friday with a chance of rain/snow late Wednesday and again on Friday or Saturday. Cooler weather is expected for the weekend.
