WEEKEND WEATHER: There’s an 80% chance of thunderstorms today and tonight, as we deal with the impacts of a low pressure system that will traverse the Midwest this weekend. It’ll also be breezy at times, with winds gusting to 25 mph.
By sunrise, the low pressure center will be over Illinois and we may already be dealing with some showers and storms as the rotation pulls rich moisture northward from the Gulf. Once this morning’s activity clears out, we may actually be dry most of the day. However, the low pressure system will continue to move east, pulling a cold front with it that will approach our area early tonight. That will give us a chance for more showers and storms, sometime between sunset and midnight. These storms could potentially be strong, although the risks of severe weather and flooding appear to be quite low.
Rain will continue to be likely tomorrow. Much like today, however, it won’t be a washout.
NEXT WEEK: A cut-off, upper level low will continue to impact our weather through much of next week, which will provide rain chances every day. Overall rain totals don’t look too impressive, but the threat of rain will be fairly persistent. These situations are often referred to as “weatherman’s woes” because they’re notoriously difficult to forecast. The forecast for next week may turn out to be wetter or drier than currently expected. Temperatures will start off below average, rising to average and then to slightly above average as the week progresses.
FURTHER OUT: The long-range pattern continues to look pretty hot, even for this time of year. Rain chances should be about normal for the month of August.
RIVER CONDITIONS: Barring any heavy thunderstorm activity in the headwater areas this weekend, our rivers will remain in good shape for swimming. Big South Fork is currently flowing around 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) and Clear Fork at around 30 cfs. That’s below average for this time of year. Water clarity is excellent, and water temperatures are in the low to mid 80s during the peak of afternoon heating.
TROPICAL WATCH: Tropical storm formation is not expected in the Atlantic basin for at least the next 7 days, as a very quiet hurricane season continues to unfold.
