Volcanic Sunsets

Paul Seifert, Fargo, ND courtesy spaceweather.com

How could a Russian volcano affect your view of the sunset? On June 12 Sarychev Peak volcano erupted spewing massive amounts of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. This has caused people all over the world to view a sunset that now includes a lavender shade and ripples of white. These white ripples are the result of blue light hitting the particles of sulfur dioxide and volcanic ash in the atmosphere, and as the sun falls, the blue light mixes with the traditional red colors found in sunsets to create a shade that is being called “volcanic lavender”. (Source: Spaceweather.com)

Cecilia Reeves
WVUA Weather

Wednesday Afternoon Discussion Update 3:55 PM

As the big holiday weekend approaches the weather will be undergoing some changes. Another surface front pushed through our area today and this front will be stalling to our south. For the time being we will have a clear sky tonight, with lows in the 60s. Tomorrow will be another hot and sunny day and it will grow a bit more humid. Highs tomorrow will rise into the middle 90s.

The surface boundary will guide moisture northward late Friday. The front will waver north as a potent low pressure wave pulls toward the mid-Mississippi River Valley. This will bring us a partly sunny sky Friday, with the threat for a shower or thunderstorm Friday afternoon and evening. The 4th is going to be a hot and humid day, with scattered thunderstorms popping up late in the day. Some data even suggests that a cluster of rain and storms may skirt across the Tennessee Valley early Saturday night. At this stage in the forecast it is really tough to grasp the finer details of such a small scale scenario. With that said, I would certainly plan for the possibility of a passing thunderstorm Saturday afternoon and evening.

Scattered thunderstorms will threaten again on Sunday and Monday as the surface boundary meanders over the twin state region. According to the latest long range data, more clouds will be present by Monday and Tuesday as the surface boundary dips into central Alabama. There will be a good chance for a shower or thunderstorm on Monday; however, the rain threat looks to shift a bit further southward on Tuesday. We will continue to fine tune the forecast and we will have more details for you first at four, and tonight at five, six, and ten!

Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist