Here are the rainfall totals for the month of May. Everyone in the viewing area had above normal rainfall with near records across the southern part of our viewing area. The rainy period has come to an end for now, and the long range computer models are heating us up.
The GFS computer model has an 850 mb forecast temperature of 23 degrees C for next weekend. Under a partly cloudy sky this could easily translate to highs in the low to mid 90s.
Ross Ellet
Temperatures are running 5-10 degrees above normal this weekend. However, the heat is a dry one with dewpoint temperatures remaining in the 50s over the weekend. Our next chance of storms will be on Wednesday as a cold front will push through the area. Locally heavy rain is possible with the storms Wednesday and Wednesday night. Then dry weather looks to return to the forecast through the rest of the week. If you have outside plans this weekend, take advantage of it. It is a perfect weekend to go camping, or head out to the lake and do a little swimming or fishing, just remember your sunscreen. The UV index will remain high until at least Tuesday.
Ross Ellet
This will be the warmest weekend of 2009! Temperatures for both Saturday and Sunday will climb into the mid to upper 80′s and lower 90′s. Fortunately, the dewpoints will remain in the 50′s, and that will keep the heat index from feeling too oppressive.
Here’s the setup over the next couple of days. A major ridge of high pressure will develop over the Rockies, helping to send a compressional heating component our way. In addition to the sinking air, a mostly sunny sky will dominate for Saturday and Sunday.
Here are the averages for the last weekend in May. We will range anywhere from 5 to 10 degrees above average for this weekend. The ridge will start to break down by early next week. That will signal a return of showers and storms by next Wednesday and Thursday.
Drew Michaels
The UV index will be between 9-10 over the weekend. This is considered a high UV index. If you are heading outside this weekend here are some tips from the EPA that can keep you from getting a sunburn.
A UV Index reading of 8 to 10 means very high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Minimize sun exposure during midday hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Protect yourself by liberally applying a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses to protect the eyes.
Stay in the Game
Be careful during routine outdoor activities such as gardening or playing sports. Remember that UV exposure is especially strong if you are working or playing between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Don’t forget that spectators, as well as participants, need to wear sunscreen and eye protection to avoid too much sun.
For more information click on the link below.
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uviscale.html
Ross Ellet
CURRENT SURFACE MAP
A strong area of high pressure will continue to dominate our weather today and through the weekend. This system will bring sunny conditions, dry air and very warm temperatures. Here is a look at the cloud forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Have a great weekend everyone!
CLOUD FORECAST (FRIDAY AFTERNOON)
CLOUD FORECAST (SATURDAY AFTERNOON)
CLOUD FORECAST (SUNDAY AFTERNOON)
BLOG ENTRY BY: PATRICK CRAWFORD (5/29 7:59AM)
Photo Credit: Hakim Atek (Paris, France)
This may be one of the most spectacular photographs of the effel tower ever shot. On May 25, 2009 Hakim Atek caught this photograph as a storm approached Paris. The lightning strike is actually a ground to cloud strike. This type of lightning bolt is rare and accounts for less then 1% of all types of lighting strikes. The lightning actually started at the Eiffel Tower and then shot upwards into the approaching thunderstorm. Click on the link below for the full scope on the eiffel tower lightning strike.
Ross Ellet
Tina Quick from Mulberry, AR emailed us this great sunset picture. Notice the bands of darker color within the shield of orange sky as the sun went down. This is called Crepuscular rays.
Crepuscular rays are rays of sunlight that appear to radiate from a single point in the sky. These bands of color, which stream through gaps in clouds or between other objects, are columns of sunlit air separated by darker cloud-shadowed regions. The name comes from their frequent occurrences during the “crepuscular hours”, or in the words of a photographer during the “magic hours” which is the time right before and right after sunrise and sunset.
Ross Ellet
The National Hurricane Center has issued a forecast for the first tropical depression of the season. Its location is off of the northeast coast. The tropical depression is expected to strengthen slightly over the next 12 hours. During this time it could be named as Tropical Storm Ana, the first named storm of the season. Later tomorrow afternoon the cyclone will hit cooler waters and begin to weaken. The Hurricane season officially begins June 1st.
Ross Ellet
Some shower and thunderstorm activity due to an area of low pressure centered just East of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina is being watched for possible tropical development. The yellow shading over the area indicates a less than 30% chance that this system will become a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours. Conditions are unfavorable for development and with it being late May, the chances of running into some cool water temperatures will be very high. We will keep a close eye on this, but it’s a good reminder that hurricane season is almost here! (Hurricane season begins June 1st)
BLOG ENTRY BY: PATRICK CRAWFORD (5/28 4:39 AM)
This is what you call post-frontal cold air stratocumulus deck. It’s a thick deck of clouds that will likely persist overnight and into the morning tomorrow. Computer model guidance does show a trend to decrease the clouds on Thursday afternoon; expect peeks of sun late in the day.
It’s was quite cool this afternoon all throughout the area. Most locations held in the 60′s after the front came through. Overnight lows will fall into the 50′s, so it will feel more like early October! A major warm-up is heading our way for the weekend!
Drew Michaels
