Blog Article
Perfect Spring Weather Hits the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic
High pressure brings flawless spring weather to the Southeast today, setting up a pristine weekend for the Mid-Atlantic and the Preakness Stakes.
Flawless Friday in the Southeast, Plus a Pristine Preakness Weekend
Y'all, if you are looking for an excuse to leave work early and find a patio, the eastern half of the country is putting on a clinic today. We have a massive area of high pressure anchored over the Southeast, and it is pumping incredibly dry, comfortable air across the region.
While the Central Plains are dealing with a marathon of severe weather and fire risks, the East Coast is enjoying a completely different reality. If you want to see exactly how your weekend stacks up, you can check your hometown score on our Nice Weather outlook page.
Friday: Peak Comfort in the Southeast
Today is an absolute gem for the Carolinas, Georgia, and parts of the Tennessee Valley. Our data puts cities like Charlotte, Atlanta, and Raleigh squarely in the "Perfect" category.
What makes it perfect? It is all about the humidity, or rather, the lack of it. Dewpoints have dropped into the 40s and 50s. When you combine that with afternoon highs in the upper 70s and light breezes averaging around 8 mph, you get weather that feels crisp and refreshing. If you are heading to Truist Park tonight to watch the Red Sox take on the Braves, you could not ask for better baseball weather.
The only tiny catch today is the sun. With clear skies and high sun angles, the UV index is sitting above 8 across the South. You will definitely want sunscreen if you are spending the afternoon outside.
Saturday: A Beautiful Preakness Stakes
As we move into Saturday, that high pressure system shifts slightly offshore, setting up a classic Bermuda High pattern. This pulls the premium weather up the Eastern Seaboard.
If you are heading to Laurel, Maryland, for the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, the forecast is looking fantastic. The Mid-Atlantic will sit in the "Beautiful" tier, with highs rebounding into the 70s and low 80s around Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The air stays pleasantly dry, meaning you get that comfortable warmth without the muggy feeling we usually expect by mid-May.
Sunday: Mid-Atlantic Perfection
By Sunday, the Mid-Atlantic and southern Northeast hit the absolute ceiling. Our data shows a "Perfect" zone locking in from Virginia up through Pennsylvania. High temperatures will peak near a flawless 70 degrees, with clear skies and zero chance of rain.
Meanwhile, parts of the Southwest like Phoenix and Tucson will enjoy their own version of "Beautiful" outdoor weather this weekend. They will see highs in the 90s, but with humidity levels dropping into the single digits, it is a very manageable dry heat for morning hikes or evening cookouts.
Just remember that while the East and Southwest enjoy the quiet skies, the middle of the country remains active. If you are traveling through the Plains or Midwest this weekend, keep an eye on the radar. For everyone else, get outside and enjoy the sunshine.