National Alert Forecast October 20th through 26th 2014

The coming week for the nation every Sunday evening, showing what to expect from the departure from average for precipitation and temperatures. 

Pacific Northwest – Numerous fronts are expected to impact the Pacific Northwest through this week.   For a complete breakdown of this.

California – The tail end of storm fronts will move through from San Francisco Northward, aiming Crescent City.  As seen on the precipitation departure map you can note that Northern California has above average rainfall in some spots and Southern California has way below.  Not expecting anything down in Southern California for the coming week as the area remains in the drought.  That will change going into next month though.  The maps indicate California in below average temperatures for the Central Valley likely due to cloud cover there with the passing fronts and showers this week.  Otherwise, above average temperatures for the rest of the state seems reasonable.

Plains – The plains will have moisture streaming in from the South, which will bring rainfall up through the Western Plains as noted in the precipitation map.  The light blue and dark blue is where the above average rainfall will be in the Western Plains and for this time of year it won’t take much to go above average.  Flooding rains are not anticipated in the plains.

Great Lakes States – Most of the storms will brush north of the area, only really hitting the Northern half of Michigan out of  Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The flow does not favor much activity and the flow further favors average to below average temperatures for the Ohio River Valley and above average temperatures for the Upper Midwest.

Southeast – Below average temperatures will be key to the forecast this week as a surface high develops in the area.  This will block all storm activity and keep the days and nights cold across the area, with much below average temperatures for this time of year being likely.

Mid-Atlantic – The transition to average to below average temperatures through the week looks likely with New Jersey seeing some precipitation from the south end of a large upper level low that will mostly impact areas in the northeast.

Northeast – A large upper level low later in the week will develop across these areas.  Although the temperature average is above, the rainfall rates will be high, with numerous storm systems expected.  It could be gusty at times as it is a surface low … but in my eyes it doesn’t qualify as a true nor’easter even if some will say it is.  The upper level low will drop in by Tuesday into Wednesday and last through the rest of the week.  Being that numerous storms are expected, the state of Maine will likely see the most rainfall (some flooding potential) with this system, hence the dark blue color on the precipitation map in this article.

Canada – Above average temperatures will be the story for Central/Eastern Canada.  Storm systems will dry out as they move west to east through Sask and Manitoba to Ontario, but the upper level low impacting the Northeastern United States will bring flooding rains to Nova Scotia.  Additional storm systems will continue the moisture stream for above average precipitation for Western Canada … Albert, B.C. and Vancouver Island, with Wednesday into Thursday having the most impact, especially for the wind potential at Vancouver Island.

Astronomy – Tuesday night into Wednesday is the Orionid Meteor Shower.  If it’s clear where you are … go outside in the middle of the night to sunrise and count how many you can see.  This shower is known for bright fireballs.