Thursday, July 9, 2015

7/9- Pouring Rain!!

Good Thursday all-

Unfortunately, to say that today is going to be a miserable day would be a fair understatement. Not only is it going to be hot, humid, and showery, but later tonight things really get rough. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH is up for all of Connecticut and for good reason- a widespread 1-3" rainfall is likely going to be upon us later this afternoon but especially in the overnight hours. On the bright side, tomorrow looks much dryer, while the weekend looks just plain hot (temps in the 90s on Sunday!). An early look at next week shows an interesting combination of heat and rain throughout.

In the Atlantic- It may feel like it's a tropical storm later tonight. You'll be disappointed if you check the NHC for advisories though- so please don't bother (no development anytime soon)

In the Pacific- Two tropical storms are developing off the coast of Mexico, but only one (the one further east) poses any threat to land. The next two names are Dolores and Enrique, but it's anyone's guess which one will be which. Additionally, TD #4-E has strengthened into Tropical Storm Ela in the Central Pacific- their first named storm of the year (they use 4 name lists in succession and don't reset it every year, thus the 'E' name). It'll likely pass just north of Hawaii, but they still may get some squally weather from it in two or three days.

Today in weather history- July 9, 1987- A tornado in Munising, MI, hits a dog kennel and sends a dog flying half a mile into a treetop- but leaving him totally unharmed! Thus the odd nature of tornadoes- they can giveth as well as taketh away.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

7/8- Stormy

Good Wednesday all-

Unfortunately, today looks more unpleasant than yesterday! Not only will it be significantly warmer, with temps falling just a few degrees short of 90, but there's certainly an enhanced risk of thunderstorms this afternoon as well. Fortunately, though, I don't really think they'll be severe- the SPC only has us under a SEE TEXT risk of severe weather- but we still should keep our eyes to the skies as NOBODY likes to be trapped outside in a thunderstorm (not to mention it's highly dangerous). Tomorrow looks similar to today, Friday looks a bit better, and the best news is that the weekend looks completely dry!

In the Atlantic- If you're given the choice between getting trapped outside in the pouring rain or watching the tropics for development--choose to get wet- at least it'll be interesting, unlike the tropical Atlantic (no development anytime soon)

In the Pacific- A few areas off the Mexican coast could develop by the end of the week, but let's cross that bridge when we get there. Perhaps a more serious problem is that Tropical Depression #4-E formed and is generally heading for Hawaii, and will strengthen into a Tropical Storm, but a high over the islands should spare them a direct hit

Today in weather history- July 8, 1816- In a remarkable feat, New England receives a freeze!! This is largely due to the eruption of Mt. Tambora, which occurred in April 1815- sending ash into the air and blocking sunlight, causing extremely cold temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere pretty much all summer of that year, killing a huge number of crops and causing very real food problems for the people living in our area during that time.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

7/7- Somewhat stormy

Good Tuesday all

Unfortunately, our spell of dry weather likely comes to an end today as some showers are possible tonight, though not nearly as many as we'll be dealing with tomorrow. All in all, though, today is going to be the least unpleasant of the week as temps will not climb much higher than the low 80s thanks to some cloud cover. Tomorrow looks both hotter and wetter, as we may reach the mid-to-upper 80s with showers and thunderstorms highly likely tomorrow evening as a front moves through the region. Otherwise, the forecast remains the same, but I'm a bit more concerned about the weekend forecast than I was yesterday...but there's not enough agreement to discuss in depth here.

In the Atlantic- It's humid enough where many people will be looking for things to do inside today. Please make sure that you don't waste this opportunity waiting for tropical development (No development anytime soon)

In the Pacific- A low very near the boundary between the Eastern and Central Pacific will likely become a tropical storm in the next few days, but what name it will get depends entirely on exactly where it does develop. Some development is also possible off the Mexican coast later this week, which would bear more watching than the current one

Today in weather history- July 7, 1981- Glacier National Park, MT, picks up 12" of snow and 90mph winds...ouch...although this isn't hugely unlikely in that area...even at this time of year.

Monday, July 6, 2015

7/6- Getting hotter

Good Monday all-

Today is going to be rather hot and humid, as temps should approach (but not quite reach) 90 and we're looking at bright sunshine through much of the day today. The weather won't be pleasant all week, though- thunderstorms are likely tomorrow...and Wednesday...and Thursday before finally drying out Friday and Saturday. None of these are particularly likely to be severe...but they'll still certainly be a nuisance. By Sunday, we may hit 90 for the first time in over a month, but there's plenty of time to watch that. Temperatures through the rest of this week should be about 88 all the time. I hope everyone is ready to have an absolutely fantastic week!!

In the Atlantic- Do yourself a favor and watch the end of the NASCAR race last night and not the Atlantic for development- you won't regret it! (No development anytime soon)

In the Pacific- A low about 1700 miles east of Hawaii will probably become Tropical Storm Dolores this week, but it poses no threat to land whatsoever.

Today in weather history- July 6, 1985- A bolt of lightning strikes a major transformer station in Salt Lake City, UT, taking out power to the entire state for up to five hours...doh!

Friday, July 3, 2015

7/3- A turn for the worse

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE-

It's going to be a beautiful day to celebrate the federal 4th of July holiday today as temperatures will be in the mid 80s and bright sunshine. Unfortunately, the day everyone really cares about, tomorrow, is going to be far from delightful, unlike what previous forecasts suggested. That rain I was concerned about has been creeping north the last few runs, and this time, unfortunately, it's made it all the way into southern New England...which means that- although tomorrow morning will be fine- tomorrow afternoon looks downright nasty with the potential of pouring rain washing out your barbecue plans. Let's hope not...but it's tough to get a significant forecast change just 24 hours out. At this point, I'd have your backup plan ready in case you can't have your party outdoors tomorrow. It's a very strange occurrence indeed to have a pure washout on the 4th (this is the first I can remember) but it's unfortunate!

In the Atlantic- I hope nobody would do this, but please don't waste your holiday on such a pointless activity as watching for development here (There's none expected anytime soon)

In the Pacific- Two lows far out there could develop later this week that will have a holiday impact on the fishes, but nobody else, really.

Today in weather history- July 3, 1987- Three golfers in Kingsport, TN are killed when lightning strikes a tree they had taken shelter under during a thunderstorm. In fairness, they were being very foolish, as they should NOT have been holding metal clubs, under the tallest object around...yeah that's asking for trouble.

Oddly, today has not had many significant weather events through the years at all.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

7/2- Nice indeed

Good Thursday all-

Today is going to be just fine, with temperatures in the low to maybe mid-80s and partly cloudy skies. In fact, the next week looks dry right through, with temps right around where they are today. You could copy today and forecast it for the next 7, and come pretty darn close to being right...though there may be a few more clouds around this weekend (especially Sunday). Interestingly, there's still no 90 degree days in sight...a very odd occurrence for July, especially since we have not hit 90 since mid-May.

In the Atlantic- If you woke up to see tropical development, a better use of your time would be to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep (no development anytime soon)

In the Pacific- A low way east of Hawaii has a moderate chance of developing this week, but the question, if it does, is whether it'll be in the east Pacific basin or the central Pacific...the name would be different depending on the longitude it forms at.

Today in weather history- July 2, 1843- People in Charleston, SC, are quite surprised when, during a thunderstorm, a large alligator falls from the sky! This, although rare, does happen from time to time, and is usually the result of a tornado or waterspout picking them up, then having strong enough updrafts to keep them suspended in the air until they drop (much like rain)

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

7/1- July starts wet

Good Wednesday all-

Today is, unfortunately, NOT going to be a good weather day. There are strong thunderstorms crossing the state, and that will continue much of the day today. In fact, it's going to be just nasty today as some storms may be severe...the SPC has placed us under a MARGINAL risk of severe weather...and that'll last pretty much all day today. Otherwise, the forecast remains largely the same as yesterday, so check and see what I wrote yesterday for that info- the Friday/Saturday forecast remains highly volatile!

In the Atlantic- Going to the Sahara Desert to see the dust that's blowing into the basin is far more fruitful than hoping for development.

In the Pacific- A low way offshore SW of Hawaii has a chance of developing, probably in the central Pacific basin, over the next 5 days, but the only place that needs to watch it is, in fact, Hawaii.

Today in weather history- July 1, 1979- Stampede Pass, Washington, is surprised with 6" of SNOW, breaking the July record for that location. Of course, this implies that it's snowed in July there more than one time before. Gah!


image credit: metacynth.com

Happy new month!!