Weather Blog

Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com

Short Term:  It is noticeably more humid this morning compared to the last few.  There are a few clouds around, and this is a sign that there is more moisture in the air.  Temperatures have warmed up, and are in the lower 70s. 

Now that the more humid weather has returned, we will feel more like we should for early July.  That area of high pressure that was sitting over us for the last 2 days has moved to the east, and southerly winds have replaced the northerly ones.  You can expect partly cloudy skies with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon.  Some storms could produce heavy rain at times.  It will be hot and humid with temperatures in the lower 90s. 

Tonight, and rain will end, and then we will go partly cloudy.  It will be warm and muggy with lows in the lower 70s. 

4th of July Forecast:  Friday will begin with partly cloudy skies, but look for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon hours.  Some of the storms could contain heavy rain.  If you have any afternoon cookouts planned, you might want to have a backup plan to be inside.  The chance of rain is about 40-60%, so not all of you will receive the storms.  It will remain hot and humid with highs around 90. 

Those of you heading downtown for the Fireworks on the Mississippi, you can expect some good weather!  The storms will end, and there will be partly cloudy skies.  It will be muggy with temperatures in the lower 80s at 9:00 PM.

Weekend Outlook:  Both Saturday and Sunday will be partly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms.  Temperatures will be in the upper 80s to around 90 with lows in the lower 70s. 

Tropical Update:  Tropical Depression #2 formed this morning off the coast of Africa, or 250 miles SSE of the Cape Verde Islands.  It is moving toward the WNW near 9 mph, and will increase in forward speed over the next couple of days.  Winds are at 35 mph, and the system is forecast to become a Tropical Storm later today.  When it does, it will get the name Bertha.  The pressure is estimated to be at 1008 mb.  TD #2 will track to the WNW and stay out at sea through the next 5 days. 

There is also a tropical wave moving across the Caribbean.  This wave is encountering some wind shear, and that will prevent it from developing further as it moves to the west. 

Elsewhere. . .the tropics are calm, and tropical storm formation is not expected through Friday.

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