Yes, It's Warm

But look at just how warm!  Today we achieved a high temp of 71ºF; much cooler than I had thought due to an easterly flow until noon!  Temps around Philly and most of NJ were in the upper 40s and low 50s most of today!  Here were the temps from 6 pm EDT March 15, 2012.  The maxes around KMDT were a couple of hours earlier in the day, but what is impressive are the temperatures being registered out in southern WI and in the greater Chicago region!  Also note the NE wind at Milwaukee keeping them downright cold compared to obs sites nearby!  Unreal!

And here are the departures from the 30 year average...again simply off the charts!

With the exception of the west coast and the extreme NE part of the country, specifically ME, the rest of the country is experiencing above normal temps!  Beware of the Ides of March?  Below is a map of the max temps from yesterday.  Big Ten country was smokin' hot for March 14!  Again note how Green Bay completely influences the temps in northeast WI!

Here is the prog for max temps for Friday.  The mid 70s look to be in order once again!

But these maxes are contingent upon the forecasted west wind.  Next week when the west wind really kicks in, we will be at and above 80ºF both Tuesday and Wednesday I do believe!

Again, I remind y'all what can occur at this time of year and this is the 19th anniversary of some brutally cold wx that followed the Super Storm of 1993!  We registered a record low of 7ºF on March 15 at KMDT!  Here is what the Super Storm left in its wake!

By the way, the high tide of heat in terms of the upper air pattern will be next Tuesday and Wednesday.  Look at this much amplified 500 mb pattern early-mid next week!  All i can say is "Wow!"

Enjoy this weather whilst it lasts!

Smitty

AA:  Continued unseasonably warm through next week!