Record warmth again possible Thursday, Friday before showery weekend
Record highs for March 22 and 23 are likely to be challenged at Roanoke and Blacksburg. We are likely to see more sunshine than Wednesday as a weak upper-level disturbance shifts southeast and high pressure becomes more entrenched. Those records for Roanoke are 84 on March 22 (set in 1938, probably will stand on Thursday), 82 on March 23 (set in 2007, good chance to be tied or broken Friday); for Blacksburg, they are 80 both days, set in 1968 for March 22 and 1966 for March 23 (upper 70s to near 80 are projected each day). Scattered showers and thunderstorms are still possible each day (though likely to be less numerous than Tuesday), so it’s still possible a random storm or outflow or clouds from one nearby could stymie the warming at either site or elsewhere in Southwest Virginia.
More showers and storms are likely over the weekend as a slow-moving cold front pushes into the warmth. The cold front will bring only slightly cooler weather for a day or two after its passing — 60s highs, 40s lows, perhaps — with the warm overall pattern continuing afterward over the central and eastern U.S. There are a few signals that the pattern may start eroding somewhat, allowing a few more cold fronts into our region the next week or two, but any erosion will be slow.
March 22, 2012 - 12:22 AM
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Kevin,
Funny you should mention the possible highs in the area today, March 22. It is predicted that the temperatures here in the Check area of Floyd County will be hot today, too. This happens to coincide with Doppler Carol’s birthday today. She reads your blog daily, actually, many times daily. I know she will read this comment and make things ‘hot’ for the ‘man of the house’, especially since he is now some days younger than her:-0
Doppler Mike
Looking back on one of your previous posts about 1990/1991 snowfall. My records indicate that I plowed snow on Dec.28, 1990. However it was confined to the Cave Spring area mainly. I don’t show snow removal for any lot in Roanoke proper. Not unusual for the CS/RKE differences. Judging from the number of lots and dollar amounts of snow I plowed, and the two different totals you listed, either one might be right. However, that was a marginal snow event so I would lean towards the higher amount. I’ve seen 6″ of snow in SW County with 3″ on the pavement and the same amount in Rke City and nothing but slush on the pavement.
Doppler Carol, a very Happy Birthday to you today!! –and kind regards to your thoughtful (and younger) hubby–
WD: Regional climate folks are checking it out, it appears the lighter amount (0.8 for 2/28/90; 1.2 for season) may win out on that.
Eugene, Oregon had 7 inches of snow today. Cold in Northwest = Heat in the East so very often.
Doppler Carol, Have a very happy Birthday and enjoy the warm day while you let your woodstove rest. I am now in the mood to garden and not feed the fire.
Long time lurker and looker here on the blog. As a strawberry grower and farmer I watch the weather religiously especially this time of the year. I’m hearing a bit of chatter about an Easter weekend frost. Kevin do you know is there any truth to moon phases affecting temperatures like so many folks seem to think?
Kevin, I don’t show anything for 2/28/90, only 12/28/90. Where does your source come from area wise?
Wd: I meant 12/28
Thanks Kevin. I would still like to know where the sourse is located. That total don’t seem right.
Storm in the Midwest looks really cool almost like a overland hurricane
Strawberryman: I wouldn’t tie it to moon phases,but there is significant though far from certain risk that a freeze may occur after the hot spell relents, much like 2007. It is likely we will have at least a frost threat before spring is done.
Here is what Kris is referring to:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/weatherjournal/files/2012/03/satellite0322.jpg
There is a big “cold core” in this storm over Oklahoma. It’s not cold enough to make it snow as might happen in some mid-March weather patterns, just some showers and storms in the instability.
WD: That report would be Roanoke Regional Airport.
Happy Birthday Doppler Carol. I hope it has been a good one.
Just returned home from another “wonderful day in the neighborhood,” delivering mail out the vehicle window. Got a big, very pretty surprise when I drove up the last hill. See below.
March 22, 2010. My forsythia finally reached full bloom, after being covered with snow for much of that winter. It was by far the latest blooming of our forsythia in the 13 years we have been here. ….. Fast forward to today, exactly two years later. The white dogwood tree in our front (much sunnier) yard is mostly in full bloom!! I knew it was going to “pop” soon, but I didn’t expect it to happen this quickly. 80+ degree temps with extremely mild nights have done it. This is by far the EARLIEST it has ever bloomed (or is correct phrase “blossomed?” Frankly my dear, I don’t give a …. be nice now, Douglas). Our forsythia and dogwoods are often four weeks apart in blooming time. In fact, I am quite sure that this is the first time it (the white dogwood) has ever blossomed in March, although it might have happened in 2000, which was another very warm winter. But the tree was much, much younger then. We have a pink dogwood close to the house, also in the front, which is extremely close to blooming. It does not get sun after 3 PM.
On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, our extremely late-blooming forsythia that year was still in bloom, although it was on its last legs of yellow. And our dogwood bloomed out front on that same day. I thought it was and would be a once-in-a-lifetime event. It has just happened again {our forsythia and dogwood in bloom at the same time), only this time is even more impressive, because the forsythia are still in bright color and will probably remain out for another week!! And even our two little raspberry-pink quince bushes, which blossomed before the forsythia did, are still in bloom. We may yet pay for all this insane warmth in April (and the NRV and higher elevations of SW Virginia may even get a freeze in May!), but the benefits now sure are gorgeous!!
Now to the truly important stuff!! Thanks, Doppler Mike, for letting us all know that the Doppler Gal has a birthday today! “All together now, Happy Birthday to you ……. etc. etc.”!! Too bad the moon cycle is a new moon, otherwise Doppler Mike you could get Carol out in the yard briefly this evening and sing, “Doppler Gal won’t you come out tonight, come out tonight, etc. etc. and dance by the light of the moon!!”
And I won’t even tease her about being 16 or 17, like I sometimes do fellow letter carriers.
Oops, forgot to say the obvious: “Happy Birthday, Carol.” You sure do have a superb day for it.
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. If you see smoke near the Doppler later don’t worry it is not a brush fire – it is just the candles on the cake! Even though I am a snow lover at heart – this has been a very nice weather day!!!
Kevin im going fishing at carvins cove saturday morning, wha do u expect the weather to be like then?
Tyler: Going to get into this later tonight, but it will probably be wet Saturday morning.