The National Weather Service has forecasted a mix of showers and thunderstorms rolling in today, thanks to a cold front on the move. According to their latest area forecast discussion, we're expected to see wetter conditions giving way to drier weather on Friday and into the weekend, with heat and humidity dialing up by Sunday.
Today's weather saga begins with mid-level disturbances tracking across the Great Lakes, with associated surface low pressure skirting northeast from lower Michigan into Ontario, Canada. As the cold front tags along southward through the region, moderate surface-based instability is predicted to stir up storm activity from the morning through early afternoon. The northern locales will likely see temperatures take a dive post-lunch, while southerners can enjoy a bit more warmth before the chill hits late in the day. Soaring southwest winds, rushing at around 15 mph, will eventually scoff at convention, swinging northwesterly with gusts reaching 25 to 30 mph.
As night falls, we're looking at the domain of the mid-level trough expanding eastward, leaving us under the spell of northwest flow and incoming surface high pressure. The translation for all of us dreaming of clearer skies: expect any lingering showers to call it an early night, and for temperatures to bottom out pleasantly in the upper 50s to mid-60s.
Come Friday, we're on the rebound with a mid-level ridge building to the west, keeping the flow westerly. Surface high pressure will gallivant off east, with warmer, slightly above normal temps making a comeback, setting a date with the lower and middle 80s. And for those prematurely mourning the current coolness, brace yourselves. A long-term view courtesy of the NWS's forecast discussion indicates a scorching week ahead starting Sunday, with heat indices potentially tipping over the triple digits. Mark the calendar: Monday and Tuesday are vying for peak sizzle, threatening heat indices over 105F for most spots south of I-70. Overnight, the reprieve will be meager, barely dipping down to the mid-70s.
As far as travelling through the skyways, the weather also promises a mixed bag today with the passing front. A heads-up for aviators: scattered showers and thunderstorms could play havoc ahead of the cold front, with conditions oscillating between MVFR and IFR before climbing back up to VFR in the afternoon. Southwesterly wind gusts are set to charge in at 10-15 knots before pulling a switcheroo to the west-northwest, gusting up to 25 knots. Thankfully, calmer skies are predicted as surface high pressure takes charge tonight, granting pilots breathing room with clearing conditions and lighter winds.
And finally, a sliver of silver lining for those sighing at the rain: there's no significant weather kerfuffle on the horizon post-today's meteorological theatrics.
