Very Dry Air Surprisingly Frequent April Visitor To Vermont; Brings Gorgeous Weather And Fire Danger

A perennial garden in St. Albans, Vermont, just starting to
show a little greenery, was frosty and messy this Saturday
morning. Very dry weather will allow a cleanup to 
start, and will encourage warmer afternoon temperatures,
allowing more springtime plants to grow

April has a wet reputation. 

After all, "April showers bring May flowers," goes the saying. 

It's true we have our share of wet days in April. Just check out northern Vermont on thundery Wednesday  if you want proof. 

However, factors often come together that bring Vermont many of its driest days of the year. At least in terms of relative humidity. 

If the relative humidity is below, say, 35 percent, it's dry. Below these levels, you get the hair sticking out, ouchie static electricity moments that come frequently in April. Humidity across most of Vermont was between 25 and 35 percent Friday afternoon.

We can expect very dry air today and tomorrow, especially in the afternoons.  It will be quite nice, so no complaints.  Highs will be in the chilly low to mid 40s today and much better lower  50s on Sunday.  It'll get even warmer on Monday.   

High pressure systems that come in this time of year, especially the ones like this one drifting in from southern Canada often have especially dry air aloft. 

The strong April sun hits the ground, causing warm updrafts that hit that dry air aloft, That helps mix that dry air down to the surface. 

That's a contrast from late autumn and early winter, when the sun's power is weak.  Moisture coming off the Great Lakes and the many ponds and lakes in Canada and the Northeast tends to pool under temperature inversions that the lame, low angle sun can't break.  That leads to a lot of dank, overcast days . 

Part of the reason the air in these fair weather systems is many of the lakes in Canada are still frozen, so you pretty much get no moisture coming off those. Also, there's no leaves on the trees anywhere nearby.  Leaves emit moisture into the air.  It's lacking this time of year. 

Dry air like this means there's often a big range between nighttime lows and daytime highs. Moisture holds the heat in the air at night. If there's very little and it's clear and calm, it'll get quite cold.  

During the day, it's easier for the sun to heat the air when it's dry. So readings will quickly zoom upward to comfortable levels. 

As nice as this weather is, it does increase the risk of brush and forest fires. Especially if it's windy. 

All that dead stuff from last year is drying out quickly in this weather, even though it just rained a couple days ago.   

Very dry high pressure areas from southern Canada often
bring beautiful clear skies to Vermont, like in this
shot early morning Saturday in St. Albans, Vermont.

Winds today and tomorrow will be much lighter than they were yesterday. I'd still suggest leaving your burn pile alone until we see somewhat wetter weather.  And please, don't ever flick your cigarette buts out your car window. But especially now, when it's dry and you can start a fire.

 A cold front Tuesday or Tuesday might bring us a little light rain but not much. It'll also keep temperatures a little lower than originally thought. 

 Instead of 70s, we might be in the upper 50s to low 60s those days, which is still fine. Some 70s might still turn up on Thursday and Friday. 

The next risky fire day we face might be Wednesday.  What little rain we might or might not get Tuesday night will quickly dry up as the humidity crashes to rock bottom levels again by Wednesday. Gusty west or northwest winds could spread any fires that do develop.

Otherwise, enjoy a rather fine April weather for the next several days at least