Dave Nussbaum
dnussbaum@wbrz.com
Short Term: It is a mostly clear and comfortable morning across the Capital City. Actually, it feels a little "cool!" Temperatures have
fallen to the upper 60s across the viewing area. How nice is that for mid-July?!? However, don't get used to it because it will not last long.
Mostly sunny and very hot conditions can be expected again this afternoon. The large area of high pressure will remain over the Eastern U.S., and will provide us with the pleasant weather. High temperatures will be in the mid 90s.
Tonight will be another very nice night across town. We will have mostly clear skies, and pleasant temperatures falling to near 70.
Rest of the Week: That area of high pressure will still sit over the Southeast U.S. on Thursday, and we will continue to have the hot weather. However, there will be a little moisture making its way toward Baton Rouge. That means we will have partly cloudy skies,
and there will also be a slight chance for an afternoon thunderstorm. The chance for rain will only be at 20%, so most of you will be dry.
On Friday, that area of high pressure will be moving away, and southerly winds will return. This will bring back some moisture to the area, and a shower will be possible. The heat will stick around with highs still in the mid90s.
Over the weekend, a tropical wave will be across the Gulf of Mexico. This wave will give us scattered showers and thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will be in the lower 90s for highs, and lows in the lower to mid 70s.
Tropical Update: Tropical Storm Bertha remains over the open Atlantic Ocean, and will stay out at sea. Bertha is located about 355 miles NE of Bermuda. Winds are at 65 mph, and could get a little higher later today. The system is moving to the E at 6 mph, and the pressure is 996 mb.
There area still some disorganized thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located about 600 miles east of the Windward Islands. There still remains a chance for this system to get better organized, and develop into a tropical depression today as is moves to the west.
I am also watching a disorganized area of thunderstorms located off the SW Florida coast which is associated with a trough of low pressure. However, significant development with this system is not expected.
Elsewhere. . .everything is quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected through Thursday.
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