Saturday Morning's Weather Discussion

Well, there was a tragedy yesterday as someone was hit and killed by lightning at a soccer game at Northern Valley Regional High School in Bergen County.  Click here to read the story.  An isolated storm popped up with tragic results.  Remember, lightning is not a joke, if you see lightning; you should take shelter in a home or car immediately.  As for today, we will again need to be careful of strong storms that may develop this afternoon and evening ahead of a strong cold front.  There may very well be strong thunderstorms with lots of lightning and even the possibility of a tornado, as the air ahead of this cold front over our area is very warm and humid, and behind the front, it is quite cool and dry.  This the recipe for strong storms, so stay tuned.  Tomorrow there could be a shower or thunderstorm as a low-pressure area may form along the coast and keep some clouds in our area.  Then things will clear out and it will be beautiful from Monday through Friday, but cool on Monday through Wednesday with lows likely getting into the middle 40’s in the coldest areas in our region and highs only getting into the 70’s.  Things will then warm up on Thursday and Friday with highs in the 80’s.  Next weekend will likely be a repeat of this one, with the chance of showers and thunderstorms.  Right now, this seems to be the pattern shaping up for the Fall, with cold fronts coming through on the weekend, bringing cool air for early in the week, and the warmest temperatures occurring on Friday each week.  Many people are already talking about the winter, but honestly, it is just too early to tell yet.  We should get a better idea by early next month, and as soon as I feel I can get a good handle on the winter pattern, I will let you know.  The official forecast from the National Weather Service for the winter in our area is for above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation, so that would be the best guess now.