Toasty Start and Stormy Finish to the Weekend

Yesterday was Mother Nature’s pre-heat, so to speak, with temperatures slowly working their way into the 80s. Today, things really start to heat up as we’ll see a toasty start and stormy finish to the weekend.

Frying on Friday

Well, frying for mid-May, I should say. A strong ridge of high pressure remains in place for us as we head into the beginning of the weekend.

The Big Blue H causing the mercury to spike. (WPC)
The Big Blue H causing the mercury to spike. (WPC)

Any storm chances should remain on the periphery of this dome of high pressure, but we can’t rule out a stray afternoon storm. Otherwise, things will be toasty.

Toasted like a Garfield marshmallow. (Garfield/Giphy)
Toasted like a Garfield marshmallow. (Garfield/Giphy)

We’ll wind up topping out with a high right up near 90º, and since we’ve got dew points in the middle 60s, that means heat indices won’t be far from 90º-93º. So make sure to grab that sunscreen, wear that loose clothing and drink plenty of water.

I'm sweating looking at this. (Pivotal Weather)
I’m sweating looking at this. (Pivotal Weather)

Overnight we cool to just 65º with those mostly clear skies in place as we get ready to do the whole thing again on Saturday.

Sweltering Continues Saturday

High pressure will remain in control as we progress through the day Saturday before slowly beginning an eastward shift. This means Saturday afternoon will remain on the warm side.

Like, the May equivalent of "fresh out of a Subway toaster" warm. (Subway/Giphy)
Like, the May equivalent of “fresh out of a Subway toaster” warm. (Subway/Giphy)

Highs will once again top out near 90º, with those heat indices close to 95º or so.

Naturally, the models are going to underdo temperatures with southwesterly winds. (Pivotal Weather)
Naturally, the models are going to underdo temperatures with southwesterly winds. (Pivotal Weather)

Clouds will increase during the overnight hours just a touch as we await the next rainmaker on Sunday. Lows stay near 65º.

Perhaps a Strong Sunday Storm

A potent weather system that will be bringing some nasty weather to the nation’s mid-section for the next couple of days will set it’s sights on us as we look to finish out the weekend.

Technically, Saturday evening's forecast surface chart. (WPC)
Technically, Saturday evening’s forecast surface chart. (WPC)

The way things are trending is that we’ll see a complex of storms approach from the west on Sunday morning. These storms may or may not start to fall apart once they get here. If they fall apart, they’ll lay down a boundary which will likely contribute to more storms forming in the afternoon.

At least, that's the solution favored by the NAM. (Pivotal Weather)
At least, that’s the solution favored by the NAM. (Pivotal Weather)

It’s possible that with all the heat and humidity around, that some of these storms could be on the strong to severe side, with damaging winds being the main threat. There is a slight risk for severe weather just northwest of the area…and we’ll keep an eye on it.

Somewhat cover will likely keep temperatures closer to about 82º, but still with the muggy feel. Any afternoon storms that would fire should start to fall apart. We’ll be left with cloudy skies and a chance of a shower, low near 65º.

Summer-like Pattern Settles in For Start of New Week

After a brief reprieve thanks to some scattered storms possible on Monday, the heat will remain on and so will the scattered storm chances.

(Giphy)
(Giphy)

Isolated to scattered storms enter the forecast nearly every afternoon with highs (after a “cooler” high near 85º Monday) in the middle 80s to near 90º. Apparently summer came early this year.

That just about does it for me! Follow our live weather feed @wxornotbg for the latest updates on your weekend forecast. Have a terrific Friday!