All posts by GFS

Philadelphia Area Weather Forecasts

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER

#Philadelphia #weather #PAwx

Thursday -Rain looks like it will wait

Posted Thursday 04/10/25 @ 10:29 AM — In contrast to some of the forecasts I’ve heard this morning, based on the experimental RRFS and the AI version of the ECMWF, it really looks like any rain here in the immediate Philadelphia area will occur AFTER 5 PM and perhaps not even during the evening hours. Any rainfall we do receive today looks to be very light.

06z RRFS (experimental) simulated radar/rain forecast for 5 PM Thursday. (Click on image for a larger view.)

Posted Wednesday 04/09/25 @ 11:41 AM — Depending on the model, it appears that rain will move in Thursday evening and will be on and off through Friday. Rain picks up in intensity later Friday evening as low pressure develops near the coast and likely lasts through much of Saturday.

A closed upper and mid-level low pressure system will remain over our area through the weekend. Cooler than average temperatures and unsettled conditions are likely.

The experimental RRFS model is handling Friday night quite differently compared to the ECMWF-AI model; the RRFS has a prolonged break in the rain later Friday afternoon into the evening and then has the rain picks up later that night. It will be interesting (experiment) to see if this holds.

06z RRFS-A model forecast for 7 PM Friday evening. The low pressure system expected to form along the coast is just taking shape well to our south Friday evening. (The majority of the other models, including the AI models, have heavy rain moving in in this time frame) (Click on image for a larger view.)

For part of April, this blog’s weather updates will be less frequent than usual.

Showers Drizzle But Really not much Rainfall

Posted Monday 04/07/25 @ 5:39 PM — Despite all the clouds, fog, drizzle and showers/rain we had over the past several days, many areas did not receive much need accumulated rainfall. Here’s the 72 hour totals—

MRMS rain-gauge measured rainfall combined with rain-gauge calibrated and interpolated radar-based summary of ACTUAL RAINFALL RECEIVED. Color shading is in inches. Line contour numbers are in mm. (25.4 mm= 1 inch)     Over past 72 hours.  (Click on image for a larger view.)

The system will slowly exit tonight and Tuesday should become windy, partly to mostly sunny and cold. Highs in the low to mid 40s.

Previously Posted Sun @ 7:43 PM — —The slowly moving cold front that passed through today will spawn another low pressure system tonight into Monday. Cold air will filter in behind this low.

It should be noted that while several models were originally forecasting some clearing Monday afternoon, while the ECMWF-AI model has consistently delayed that clearing until Monday evening. Monday should remain cloudy with showers, with diminishing coverage and intensity during the afternoon hours.

ECMWF-AI forecast for Monday at 8 PM. (Click on image for a larger view.)

A well-advertised dip in the jet stream will occur over the Northeast this week following Colder than seasonal averages are expected.

Another storm is expected Friday into Friday night.

For part of April, this blog’s weather updates will be less frequent than usual.

Birds & Wildlife

Goldfinches

#Birds #Wildlife

Over the past month, I’ve taken delight at watching the goldfinches transform into their Spring – Summer – Fall wardrobe. This first video was taken about 10 days ago—

Goldfinches March 26, 2025

Here’s the activity and appearance today. It might be cloudy, but the goldfinches’ color compensate for the drab day—

Goldfinches April 6, 2025