Very Hot Weather Ahead… Some Scattered Storms – Monday Afternoon Forecast Update 4:30pm
July 23, 2012 Leave a comment
Good Monday afternoon to you! The heat is back this afternoon, with many spots in the 92 to 96 degree range. Heat index values are very tough today, with many spots feeling the 100 to 105 value as of 4pm. A few scattered showers and storms have developed in the peak heating this afternoon, but many spots will remain rain free through sunset. The risk of rain is only about 10 to 20%. Most spots will continue to stay dry and hot through this evening. Look for temperatures to fall into the lower 90s to upper 80s by 7pm and lower 80s at 10pm. With very high dewpoints, look for temperatures to remain mild through the night; in-fact, lows will stay above 73. Skies will remain mostly clear through tonight.
The strong upper air ridge will gradually build into the deep south over the next 24 to 48 hours, which means the heat will increase. Highs will warm into the upper 90s on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Heat index values may reach 110 in spots, which means you’ve got to take it extra easy when working outdoors. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. Overnight lows will continue to reach the lower to middle 70s each night through next weekend. Rain chances will remain low through Thursday, due to the close proximity of the upper air ridge. The ridge will cap off the atmosphere, and suppress much of the shower and storm activity. I can’t rule out a stray storm or two during the afternoon hours on Tuesday through Thursday, but the risk of rain is about 20%.
The ridge will weaken a touch on Friday and Saturday, which will allow a weak cold front to drop into the deep south. The front will provide some lift in our area and will kick off a few scattered storms. Rain chances will increase to 30 to 40% on Friday and Saturday. There is some chance that drier air could drop into the area from the north on Saturday or Sunday. If the dry air makes it to us, skies will clear out and dewpoints will drop. We will fine-tune the forecast for your weekend plans as new model data comes in. Highs will drop into the middle 90s on Friday and Saturday. Friday doesn’t look like a wash-out at this point, but you may have to dodge a storm or two in your area.
Send us your weather pictures! Send them to weather@wvuatv.com. Also, look us up on facebook and twitter. Like us on facebook by searching facebook.com/wvuaweather or WVUA-TV Weather. You can find us on twitter by searching weather@wvuatv.com or WVUA-TV Weather. Great way to get weather updates! Plus, facebook is a great way to send us weather pictures. Simply tag us!
Join us live on WVUA-TV weekdays at 4, 5, 6 and 10 pm and weekends at 10pm for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.
Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
