A very strong high pressure system centered just to New England’s north will remain firmly in control through the weekend. This will bring calm and cold conditions for the next couple days. These conditions will be brief as milder and more unsettled weather returns for next week. There will once again be multiple systems to watch.
The very strong high pressure system looks to peak in strength Saturday with a central pressure of 1,048-1,050mb. For reference, standard surface pressure (neither high nor low) is considered to be around 1,013mb. This high pressure is just about as strong as they get for the northeast. New England’s high pressure record is 1,054.18mb, set in Caribou, Maine in 1949. All other cities in New England have high pressure records in the 1,050-1,053mb range.
The strongest high pressure systems are associated with cold air masses, and this one is no exception. Highs on Saturday will be similar to Friday, though the edge will be taken off in regards to the wind chills. Overnight lows will be cold with optimal radiational cooling conditions in place.