Ghost Of Ian Prevents Some Frost, Causes Coastal Trouble

A squiggly jet contrail through high clouds moving
into northwestern Vermont late Monday afternoon. The 
clouds were from the remnants of Hurricane Ian, which
is still causing coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic

 Hurricane Ian, after destroying parts of Florida and damaging the Carolinas last week, finally dissipated last weekend.  

Or not. It's certainly not a hurricane or tropical storm anymore, but its remnants are still causing trouble. And giving some of us here in Vermont a break from the frost and freezes.

Energy from Ian spawned a storm that has been sitting and spinning south of Long Island.  The combination of this storm and strong high pressure to the north has been creating strong and persistent east winds in places like New Jersey and Delaware.   That has led to quite a bit of coastal flooding. 

The flooding isn't nearly as bad as Ian's devastating surge in southwestern Florida. But it's still significant. Jersey Shore communities like Atlantic City, Wildwood, Ocean City and others had people trapped in their homes by high water.  Cars conked out in deep water on flooded streets

Video also showed widespread coastal flooding around Ocean City, Maryland. 

Because that storm is stalled, the flooding has been coming in multiple high tide cycles. That should continue at least through today. Coastal flood warnings and advisories remain in effect, in some places through tomorrow, on Long Island, and in New Jersey and Delaware.

Relentless rains have also plagued the Mid-Atlantic States since Friday. Some areas have had as much as seven inches of rain.  The fact that the rain came over several days and not in a few hours has prevented major river flooding so far.

Up here in Vermont, the storm spread a shield of high clouds over much of the state, preventing a second night of frosts in central and southern Vermont.  Temperatures south of Route 2 early this morning were in the mid 30s to low 40s.  Far northern areas had clearer skies, so frost and freezes were widespread again. 

Here in St. Albans, I escaped the frost, as temperatures remained just barely warm enough to prevent it. 

The high clouds from that stalled storm will continue to spill into Vermont from time to time through tomorrow.  The clouds are thicker in southern Vermont, closer to the storm. There's even been a few sprinkles south of Route 4. 

Except for that, the weather should stay pleasant and benign in Vermont until Friday, when a sharp cold front is likely to cause another plunge in temperatures.