Welcome August! Welcome Bertha!
A tropical storm is now approaching the Caribbean, but Indiana is anything but tropical heading into the new month.
As expected, last month was the coolest July in the Indianapolis record books, with an average temp of 70.1 degrees. That’s a full .5 degrees cooler than July 1947. That’s the month *Princess* Elizabeth announced her engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in the UK.
But enough with a queen. I can beat that with a large straight. My forecast for the next seven days increases one degree each day: 82-83-84-85-86-87-88. Actually that’s longer than a large straight. I would totally rule Yahtzee today.
What a long, steady trip it’s been back to the 80s. Here are the Indy highs this week so far:
73 Monday
75 Tuesday
78 Wednesday
80 Thursday
That large straight will lead to above normal temperatures for about four days next week. We only saw four days above average last MONTH.
Now, on to precipitation chances. a broad upper trough of low pressure hasn’t moved much this week. Things were quiet yesterday, but today a stronger upper wave will rotate through that trough, and bring Indiana 30-40 percent shower and storm chances this afternoon and evening. As we saw earlier this week: there could be gusty winds and small hail. Localized heavy rainfall is also a threat, with the storms likely to move slowly.
I think this chance of storms will continue into the evening and overnight. The best chances today and tonight will be in the northern half of the state. Scattered stuff could develop Saturday afternoon. The best chance tomorrow will be from Indy eastward, as the upper level pattern finally pulls away. I think we can shut down the shower chances after sunset Saturday, and enjoy a nice and typically warm early August Sunday, with sunshine. Have a great weekend!
INDY ALMANAC:
The average high today is 84 and the average low is 65. Records are 97 and 53. The sun rises at 6:44 and sets at 8:58.
PAUL’S PREVIOUS PREDICTION:
Yesterday’s high was 80. My forecast was 81.
INDY SEVEN DAY FORECAST:
Today: Partly sunny. Chances of afternoon showers and storms. High 82.
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and storms. Low 62.
Saturday: Partly sunny. Chances of afternoon and early evening showers and storms. High 83.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 62.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High 84.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Low 62.
Monday: Mostly sunny. High 85.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 64.
Tuesday: Partly sunny. High 86.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low 66.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High 87.
Wednesday Night: Chance of showers and storms late. Low 67.
Thursday: Good chance of showers and storms. High 88.
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