temperature contrasts

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good afternoon people's. Temperature contrast, let's talk about some huge contrasts today across the middle atlantic region. The warm spot on the map is Norfolk, VA at 77 degrees and Virginia Beach at 76 degrees. More sunshine and a southerly flow at 20-30 mph has aided in the warmth down there. Here in Baltimore, temperature even without the sun has risen to near 60. A colf frontal rain band has setup over eastern West Virginia and western Maryland. Martinsburg, WV is a balmy 62 degrees. However Elkins, WV is just 43 degrees. Pittsburgh joins in that list of cold air at just 39 degrees behind the cold front.

Folks in the big cities, especially from philly down into DC should keep an eye on this frontal rain band establishing itself to the west near the skyline drive I 81. Some places could see torrential rains and wind gusts 30-50 mph. That's enough to knock down some tree branches.

Also note a winter storm watch for Garrett, Preston, and Tucker Counties. Snowfall amounts of 6-8 inches is expected in western MD and northern West Virginia. Areas surrounding that should see a general 1-3 inches of snow. Near the great lakes though, lake effect snow favored areas could see 6-12 inches of snow by Saturday night. All of this combined with strong damaging winds will result in near blizzard conditions and that maybe a likelihood throughout our day on Saturday, especially in the morning and early afternoon.

Jim