…A dangerous heat wave will continue for regions in the Paciifc
Northwest to the Great Plains…
…Stormy conditions and flash flood potential across portions of the
Eastern U.S. this weekend…
…Potential Tropical Cylone Four will bring hazardous rainfall, gusty
winds, and the threat of a few tornadoes to Florida this weekend…
The general weather pattern over the short term consists of upper level
troughing and a weak wave of low pressure along a surface front in the
eastern tier of the country. Through the remainder of Friday, unsettled
weather is likely with an isolated flash flood risk possible in several
areas, focusing in on the Appalachains, the eastern Great Lakes, and the
interior Mid-Atlantic. The surface front is likely to stall over the
Carolinas up to the Northeast and maintain thunderstorms and some embeded
heavy rain in thunderstorms that have the potential to produce flash
flooding. The western portion of the nation will have an opposite pattern
as upper level ridging leads to hot temperatures, some of which may be
dangerous. The Great Plains, Northern Rockies, and the interior Pacific
Northwest may see temperatures in the 100-110F range with an accompanied
major to extreme heat risk into Sunday. Precautions shoud be taken for
heat as the dog days of summer are certainly living up to the reputation.
As for precipitation out West, isolated rainfall and thunderstorms may be
possible with daytime instability, but most areas should be dry.
The Deep South and Gulf Coast will be also quite warm and humid. Highs in
the middle to upper 90s across the Gulf Coast and lows 100s in Texas,
combined with high dew points, will lead to a major heat risk across most
of the areas mentioned and Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings are
in effect. Isolated thuderstorms will be possible south of the frontal
boundary along the Gulf Coast, but should be scattered with plenty of sun
to be had.
In terms of severe weather, a hail and wind threat is possible over South
Dakota and Minnesota on Saturday and the Storm Prediction Center has a
Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms. The eastern portion of the country
will see some possible strong wind gusts along the stationary front
alluded to above. The Southwest will continue to see thunderstorms with
the seasonal monsoon and some gusty winds are possible.
In the tropics, the National Hurricane Center has initated advisories on
Potential Tropical Cyclone Four currently located over Cuba. It is
forecast to approach the Florida Keys toward the end of this weekend and
Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings have been issued for the Florida Keys
up to areas north of Tampa Bay. While there is uncertainty with the exact
track, it does appear there will be impacts felt across Florida this
weekend in the short range period. Strong, gusty winds up to tropical
storm force and heavy rain/flooding will be the main hazards for now. The
precipitation amounts look to range between 4-8 inches with some locally
heavier amounts possible up to a foot. Turn around, don’t drown. Any
thunderstorms embedded in the outer bands of the storm will posses the
threat to drop a tornado or a waterspout.
Wilder
Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php
