Special Weather Discussion

Latest Weather Discussion by Kyle Elliott

* the wild temperature rollercoaster ride continues! *

11:30 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026:

In terms of wild temperature swings, this month has been nothing short of diabolical in the mid-Atlantic States. After an unseasonably cold start to the month with highs in the 30s on March 2-3, the mercury hit a record high temperature of 83°F at Millersville University on March 10th. Not only was the previous March 10th record high of 79°F from 2016 smashed, but a temperature of this magnitude had never been achieved at the 'Ville so early in any given year since 1914. Just three days later, the mercury then failed to hit 50°F but almost reached 70°F again on March 16th. However, a potent cold front swept through the region Monday night and ushered much colder air into the Commonwealth just in time for St. Patrick's Day. In stark contrast to Monday, high temperatures failed to reach 40°F in most spots Tuesday afternoon, and wind chills were stuck in the 20s due to strong, westerly winds of 20-30 mph. The chill stuck around on Wednesday, but yet another burst of unseasonable warmth has arrived to close out the week.. and just in time for the first day of astronomical spring. Better yet, the pleasantly warm conditions will stick around through the weekend before another blast of chillier air returns early next week. As far as precipitation is concerned, there won't be much to talk about over the next 1-2 weeks, but the crazy temperature rollercoaster ride isn't going to stop anytime soon (see below).

South-to-southwesterly winds of 10-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph on the backside of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic has ushered much warmer air into the Lower Susquehanna Valley at the time of this writing, and high temperatures will soar into the mid 60s to perhaps 70°F this afternoon despite increasing clouds (see below). A weak disturbance and its associated cold front will drop southeastward through the Commonwealth and Delmarva Region spanning this afternoon through tonight and bring showers to northern MD and southeastern PA between ~5 PM and Midnight. Rainfall amounts should not exceed 0.30" in most locations, and the rain will be highly beneficial due to the ongoing drought (see below). Be alert for wet roadways in the northern/western half of the Valley during the PM commute, but I don't anticipate many weather-related travel issues with the showers.

Behind the disturbance, an area of high pressure will settle into the Northeast tomorrow and promote partly sunny and pleasant conditions for the start of the weekend. Northerly winds of 7-14 mph will accompany highs in the upper 50s to upper 60s from northeast-to-southwest across the region. After a partly cloudy and relatively mild Saturday night with lows in the low-to-mid 40s, south-to-southwesterly winds of 10-20 mph will return on Sunday and boost high temperatures back into the mid 70s to perhaps 80°F west of Rt. 11/I-83 Sunday afternoon under partly sunny skies (see below). Average high temperatures are still only in the low-to-mid 50s across the Lower Susquehanna Valley, so highs will be around 20-25°F above average on Sunday. Either way you slice it, the weather will be fantastic for outdoor activities over the weekend. Get outside and soak up the sunshine in shorts and t-shirts!

Another disturbance and its associated cold front will then sweep southeastward through the Commonwealth on Sunday night. Compared to tonight's system, Sunday night's will be more potent and have a much bigger impact on temperatures. That being said, the front will likely traverse northern MD and southeastern PA during the wee hours of the morning.. a time unfavorable for heavy convection and thunderstorms. Thus, I only expect another round of showers without any rumbles of thunder, and I'd be surprised if rainfall totals exceed 0.25-0.50". In areas south of the Mason-Dixon Line, 0.10-0.20" or less of rain will probably be more common. Regardless, the cold front and subsequent showers should push south/east of the I-95 corridor prior to the Monday morning commute, so I don't expect any weather-related travel issues for most motorists.

Behind the system, next week will kick off on a windy and much chillier note. North-northwesterly winds will increase Monday morning, reach speeds of 12-25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph Monday afternoon, and direct much cooler air into the Lower Susquehanna Valley. Temperatures may only bottom out in the mid-to-upper 40s Sunday night, but they won't rise much on Monday thanks to the northerly flow. I don't expect any additional rain on Monday, but you'll certainly need to grab a jacket or sweatshirt before heading out the door to work or school. A Canadian high pressure system will then settle into the mid-Atlantic States from Monday night into Tuesday and cause winds to subside. Under mainly clear skies, the stage will be set for efficient, radiational cooling, and temperatures may bottom out in the upper 20s early Tuesday morning. However, the strong, March sunshine will erase the early-morning chill rather quickly, and highs should top out around 50°F Tuesday afternoon.. about 5°F below normal. A fast-moving, clipper-type system will then zip through southeastern Canada and northern New England from Tuesday night into Wednesday, but most if not all precipitation associated with the system should remain well north of I-80. Instead, Wednesday will probably turn out partly-to-mostly sunny, breezy and seasonable with highs in the low-to-mid 50s. Yet another clipper-type system may take a similar track through southeastern Canada late next week. If so, then southwesterly flow in its "warm sector" may push unseasonably warm air back into the Lower Susquehanna Valley by Thursday and/or Friday.. before yet another big peel back occurs next weekend. It's "pneumonia weather" at its finest.. yuck! -- Elliott