Scattered Storms Today, Then Hot and Dry
WEDNESDAY: Today will feature the highest rain chances of the next week. It will be a hot and humid day with highs in the mid-90s but we should see scattered showers and storms this afternoon as a weak upper-level feature moves from east to west across the state. A few strong storms are possible, with gusty winds, intense rainfall, and frequent lightning. After today, rain chances are on the way down.
REST OF WEEK: Through Friday, expect a mostly sunny sky with only widely isolated showers and storms around during the afternoon and evening hours. Chance of any one spot getting wet is about one in five, and highs will be generally in the mid-90s. A few spots could reach the upper 90s tomorrow and Friday under the ridge, but overall, rain chances are low as drier air flows into the state from the northeast around an area of high pressure in the Mid-Atlantic states.
FIONA FIZZLES: The last advisory has been issued on our sixth storm of the season as Fiona is no more.
GASTON GAINING: Our seventh named storm is gaining strength rapidly. The latest update had the center of Tropical Storm Gaston located near latitude 14.9 North, longitude 38.6 West. Gaston is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph. A turn toward the
northwest is expected later today. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Gaston is expected to become a hurricane later today. The estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb (29.50 inches).
HERMINE IS THAT YOU?: Satellite images, surface observations, and radar data from the Lesser Antilles indicate that a broad area of low pressure associated with a tropical wave is located near Guadeloupe. Although environmental conditions are only marginally conducive for development, this system could become a tropical depression during the next day or two while it moves west-northwest at 15 to 20 mph across the Leeward Islands and the Greater Antilles. Conditions could become more conducive later this week while the system moves near the southeastern and central Bahamas. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this disturbance later today, if necessary. This is definitely the feature of interest as it will be close to the Southeast Coast of the U.S. this weekend. Lots to watch with this system!!!
THE LAST WEEKEND OF AUGUST: Little change for the weekend, as easterly flow and the upper ridge look to hang around. We should see plenty of sunshine both Saturday and Sunday with only a few passing isolated storm or two. It will still be hot with highs in the mid-90s, while nights will be fairly nice with lows in the 70s. Rain chances will be in the 10-20% range both days.
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Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
Ryan
