Storms Return for the Weekend

We spent much of yesterday afternoon waving goodbye to the pesky storms that had plagued us for much of the week but, unfortunately, we’re watching the next wave of soggy weather head our way. Unfortunately, that means storms return for the weekend.

Happy Summer…It’s Gonna Feel Like It

Astronomical summer officially begins at 10:54 AM CDT this morning and lemme tell ya, it’s going to feel every bit of it.

"Walking in the grass, it's so fine! Don't need shoes in the summer time!" (Spongebob Squarepants/Giphy)
♫ “Walking in the grass, it’s so fine! Don’t need shoes in the summer time!” ♫ (Spongebob Squarepants/Giphy)

But, unfortunately, we’ll have to contend with thunderstorms making a comeback to the region. We’ll be in a pattern conducive for larger complexes of thunderstorms to develop out to our west and move through our area.

This afternoon's forecast surface chart. (WPC)
This afternoon’s forecast surface chart. (WPC)

We’ll be under the influence of high pressure, so we’ll start out with the potential for some fog, especially in areas that saw rain yesterday. That fog will burn off quickly and we’ll be left with partly to mostly sunny skies into the afternoon hours, with highs topping out near 85º. That’s when models start to differ in their solutions.

The NAM says north. (Pivotal Weather)
The NAM says north. (Pivotal Weather)

The NAM has been consistent in developing storms north west of here and keeping them across the northern half of the state, other models bring these storms directly through the area. Other models, including the HRRR have been consistent in bringing this complex in right over our area just before sunrise tomorrow.

The HRRR is a little more aggressive. (Pivotal Weather)
The HRRR is a little more aggressive. (Pivotal Weather)

No matter the solution, severe weather is a possibility, with the area in a Slight Risk (2/5) for severe weather, mainly for this evening. Main threats will be damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and we can never rule out an isolated spin-up tornado.

Lows overnight should fall to a balmy 70º overnight as storm chances continue.

Similar Story Saturday

The first full day of summer will depend on how today’s storms play out. If the storms come through earlier and are long gone by tomorrow morning, the potential is there for another strong complex of storms to move through in the untapped atmosphere of the afternoon.

The HRRR favors some blend of the two, and I'm not sure I buy it. (Pivotal Weather)
The HRRR favors some blend of the two, and I’m not sure I buy it. (Pivotal Weather)

The HRRR solution above is a little aggressive (as “longer”-range models are) but the possibility is there for a repeat performance of afternoon and evening storms. It’s far from a done deal, however, and that’s why the SPC is just keeping us in a Marginal Risk (1/5) for tomorrow afternoon.

Outside of any thunderstorms, it will be a typical hot and humid summer day, partly sunny skies and highs near 90º. Lows overnight, again depending on storm coverage, will fall to about 70º.

Stormy on Sunday As Well

I don’t envision this weekend being a total washout, but we’ll see yet another day with the potential for storms, some of which could be strong. We’re in yet another Marginal Risk (1/5) risk for severe weather to finish off the weekend.

The difference for Sunday is it looks more like your typical summertime afternoon pop-up scenario rather than a big complex sweeping through the state. Outside of those, another hot and humid one with high temperatures topping 90º, although that is dependent on sunshine. Overnight lows fall to the typical 70º or so.

The Beat Goes On

Summer weather continues through the week, with scattered afternoon thunderstorms making their presence known through the early week time frame…get ready for quite a bit of rain.

A whole new meaning to "rain boots". (Giphy)
A whole new meaning to “rain boots”. (Giphy)

The good news, though, is that we might just dry out by midweek…but along with that come toasty temperatures back near 90º. But hey, at least you’d be dry outside (for a minute or two, anyway).

That just about does it for me! Follow our live weather feed @wxornotbg for the latest updates on what will likely be an ever-changing weekend forecast. Have a terrific Friday!