EAST HARDWICK – A few picture-perfect days highlighted the holiday weekend, with conditions on Saturday and Sunday largely incorporating sunny skies and mild temperatures. Highs in the mid-to-upper 60s were just above normal for this time of year, which is about 60 degrees.
photo by Sarah Edmonds
Some measurable rain came from two systems at either end of the forecast period. Rain lasted through Wednesday, followed by the onset of more showers on Sunday night. Between the two systems, a total of 1.09 inches of rain fell. This is hardly a drought-buster, but it will hopefully mitigate some drought impacts. In the past week, much of Vermont’s drought status escalated to extreme drought, which often corresponds with the possibility of widespread water shortages or restrictions. The wildland fire danger has also remained on the high side.
As we move into post-foliage autumn, conditions are known for a general increase in cloud cover, rain, and stronger winds. All appear possible within this forecast period. We start under the influence of an upper-level system over northern Quebec today, with an associated cold front crossing our region throughout the day. No precipitation is expected with this system, but it will signal a change from the mild conditions we’ve had to much chillier weather. Expect there to be some additional cloud cover. Winds look to pick up from the northwest behind the front as well.
As high pressure builds in, expect highs that are 10-15 degrees below normal through Friday. Overnight lows will be below freezing as a result of clearing skies, before the wind shifts to the south later Saturday and temperatures moderate to above-normal again. A large upper-level low closes off over the Great Lakes and swings a frontal system into the northeast later Sunday into Monday. The surface low looks like it might shift off the New England coast and pinwheel there for a bit. Either way, some showers look likely for the second half of Sunday with some lingering rain for Monday and Tuesday. Rainfall totals may near an inch and a half with this storm over the course of a couple of days. Here are the forecast details:
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 47. Low: 30. Northwest wind 5-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny. High: 49. Low: 26. Northwest wind 5-10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.
Friday: Sunny. High: 53. Low: 29. Light and variable wind.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High: 60. Low: 40. Light and variable wind.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy. Showers developing by afternoon. High: 65. Low: 47. Southwest wind 5-10 mph.
Tyler is our weather reporter and a community journalist. He works as a nurse and EMT, volunteers with Hardwick Rescue and helps to train new EMTs.
