Nicer Friday While Awaiting Effects of Barry

A few scattered downpours and thunderstorms were able to rumble across the area yesterday afternoon along the cold front. Good news is that the cold front is long past and we’ll see a nicer Friday while awaiting effects of Barry.

Lower Humidity to Close the Week

Finally, some decent news. The cold front of yesterday has swept through much of the area.

This morning's forecast surface chart. (WPC) — This morning’s forecast surface chart. (WPC)

Though, calling it a “cold” front is a bit of a misnomer as it won’t help our temperatures all that much, but it will knock the humidity down a notch. After some patchy fog around this morning, count on skies clearing up this afternoon, with just those fair weather cumulus clouds hanging around. Highs will remain appropriately toasty…near 90°.

We use sentient, wisecracking squids as thermometers now. (Spongebob Squarepants/Giphy)

But northwesterly winds will drag some lower humidity into the region by the afternoon. While this won’t be a “spring day” by any means, dew points should fall to the upper 60s near 70° a welcome reprieve from the numbers in the mid-upper 70s we’ve seen this week. That will cause an attendant drop in heat indices, closer to 90-95° rather than over 100°. I’ll take it.

Still a great pool day. (The Dodo/Giphy)

Overnight lows still fall to near 70° as mostly clear skies continue and we begin gazing to our southwest.

Tropical Storm Barry Complicates Weekend Forecast

Most eyes in the weather world are on Tropical Storm Barry, currently getting organized as it churns in the northern Gulf of Mexico near the Louisiana coast. Based on current indications, Barry might just have it’s eyes set on south-central Kentucky as we go through the weekend.

Barry's track and cone of uncertainty as of early this morning. (NHC) — Barry’s track and cone of uncertainty as of early this morning. (NHC)

Barry’s cloud shield and outer rain bands may begin infiltrating the region as early as Saturday afternoon.

Did someone say "rain band"? (Pivotal Weather) — Did someone say “rain band”? (Pivotal Weather)

Highs will remain on the toasty side, with values topping out around 90° but humidity values increasing once again meaning heat indices will flirt with 100° again outside of any cooling tropical downpours. The downpours shouldn’t last all day but they could be quite heavy if you do happen to get under one.

Possibly you, this weekend. (MLB Advanced Media)

This won’t just be Saturday problem either. If Barry continues on the presently forecast track, Barry could be exerting influence it’s influence across the region as it loses tropical characteristics and becomes a heavy rain maker across the region. We’ll continue to keep an eye on it as rainfall totals climb the longer Barry sticks around.

Barry by Sunday evening, should the track hold. (Pivotal Weather)

Possible rainfall totals by Monday morning. (Pivotal Weather)

Reminder, this is all if the track holds. If the track shifts, that could change our sensible weather effects so stay tuned for the latest on that. Otherwise, hazy, hot and humid through the weekend with highs near 90° and overnight lows close to 70°. Prime July weather.

Uncertain Work Week Forecast

Things are still up in the air for the work week thanks to Tropical Storm Barry, but cloud cover may cool our highs into the mid-80s for the early week as rain chances continue as the mercury rises back into the 90s.

That just about does it for me! Follow our live weather feed @wxornotbg for the latest updates on renewed storm chances this afternoon. Have a terrific Friday!