Published: May 22, 2008 03:07 pm         

Weather Watch

By MARK HANOK

During the past week, temperatures have averaged well below normal, thanks to a series of large upper-level low pressure systems and northwesterly flow aloft. Remarkably, the “reverse temperature anomaly” continued even with the cool weather pattern, with more sunshine and less rain to the north and more rain to the south. The weather pattern will change just in time for the long Memorial Day weekend.

High pressure will become established over the East Coast, and the same trough the brought the cool and showery weather will move further east and actually block the high, bringing several days of spectacular weather, with plenty of sunshine and above normal temperatures. On Friday, as the upper level low moves well to the east, a northwesterly flow will continue, and with cold air aloft and considerable heating at the surface, look for intervals of clouds and sunshine, and the chance of a shower in the afternoon, with highs in the mid-60s. As high pressure builds eastward from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Atlantic states, brilliant sunshine will take over on Saturday, with highs around 70 degrees.

On Sunday, unlimited sunshine will continue, with afternoon temperatures from 73 to 78 degrees. A southwesterly flow of warmer air will take over on Memorial Day, with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs around 80 degrees.

A weak cold front could bring a few showers Monday night and Tuesday, then generally dry weather through the week, with near-normal temperatures.

Mark Hanok is an Otegobased meteorologist. You can visit him on the World Wide Web at http://members. aol.com/weathergazette.