MONDAY WEATHER: Rain chances return to the forecast today, with a 50% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Our primary rain chance will come as a potential line of thunderstorms swings through during the early afternoon hours. Otherwise, it’ll still be hot, with heat index values near 100 degrees. Temperatures will only drop to around 70 degrees overnight, as our muggy weather sticks with us.
THE REST OF THE WEEK: We may be ever so slightly “cooler” tomorrow, with temperatures “only” in the mid to upper 80s. But we’ll top out near 90 degrees again on Wednesday. More consistent rain chances return to the forecast towards the end of the week, with a 40%-50% chance of thunderstorms from Wednesday night on into the weekend.
THE WEEKEND: The forecast for the first high school football Friday night of the 2026 season looks pretty typical — temps in the mid 80s and about a 40% chance of thunderstorms. The storms will be hit or miss, so pray for no lightning delays! Similar weather will continue Saturday and Sunday: temperatures in the mid 80s with slight chances of thunderstorms each day. Nothing abnormal for this time of year.
FURTHER OUT: The hot weather pattern we’re stuck in isn’t going to diminish anytime soon, as it looks like above-average temperatures will persist through the remainder of this month and well into September. There’s a chance for above-average rainfall during parts of September as the much-ballyhooed “super El Nino” begins to flex its muscles.
RIVER CONDITIONS: Streamflows are pretty close to average for this time of year. The Big South Fork River is flowing around 250 cubic feet per second (cfs), while Clear Fork is just under 70 cfs. Water clarity is excellent, and water temperatures are pushing into the mid 80s during the peak of afternoon heating. Conditions are great for swimming or splashing in the water to beat the heat.
TROPICAL WATCH: The tropics are very quiet, with no storm formation expected for at least the next 7 days. An abnormally calm hurricane season continues, and the developing El Nino pattern should keep it this way as we head into the peak of the season.
WINTER OUTLOOK: There’s been a lot of talk about what impact the super El Nino might have on our weather across the U.S. this winter. However, beware the sensational headlines that are intended to generate clicks and views. This El Nino is going to be one of the strongest on record, and that will certainly help influence our weather this winter, but the short-term weather pattern (including cold outbreaks and snowstorms) is influenced by smaller-scale events like blocking in the northern Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Oscillation that aren’t completely dependent on El Nino. With that said, strong El Ninos lend themselves to an active southern branch of the jet stream, which in turn signals a stormy pattern with above-average rainfall in the southern U.S. — including our area. With increased storminess, that can sometimes mean an increased chance for blockbuster snowstorms IF cold air cooperates. Some of our area’s biggest snowstorms have occurred in strong El Nino years. The devastating dynamic cooling snowstorm of February 1998, for example, occurred in a very strong El Nino pattern. December 2010, which featured three snows of at least six inches and our last true white Christmas, also occurred during a strong El Nino. The winter of 2023-2024, which was quite snowy in our area, was a strong El Nino, as well. Current long-range projections indicate a warmer-than-average December to start the winter season, however, so it’s too soon to say that we’ll see more snow than usual due to the El Nino pattern.
TODAY: Ridgeview Behavioral Health Services’ Mobile Health Clinic will be in the Oneida Walmart parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering integrated primary care and behavioral health. No insurance is not a problem. Call (866) 599-0466 for more information. The Senior Citizens Center at Scott Appalachian Industries (Monticello Pike, Huntsville) offers a walking program, puzzles and games, and massage chairs each week day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, Golden Grooves Exercise will be offered at 1 p.m. today. The Scott County Senior Citizens Center (Main Street, Oneida) will serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. The cost is $7 for dine-in or carry-out. Scott County Commission will meet in regular session this evening at the Scott County Office Building in Huntsville, beginning at 5 p.m.
