Main threats
No significant threats in sight.
Summary
We’ll see a chance for a shower or storm today, before skies finally clear up for Wednesday. We’ll see some sun from time to time today, but there will be the risk of a shower or storm until the front clears through. Tonight will be cool,with lows in the mid 40s.
Our next system moves in later Thursday. Winds will be quite breezy on Thursday ahead of that system. Showers will overspread the area Thursday night and be with us through the morning hours of Friday. Right now, Friday evening is looking pretty good, though it could be a very breezy day.
Saturday is also looking pretty good, with sunny skies and warm temperatures. Then, our next storm system will move in for Sunday, bringing more showers and t-storms. At this time, it looks like the severe threat will stay mainly south of TN. I’ll keep an eye on that.
Monday is looking sunny but much cooler. We may not get out of the 50s for highs, with frost conditions by Tuesday morning.
WeatherTAP WeatherFACT
It has actually rained frogs. It’s true! A waterspout (tornado over water) moved through a marshy area in England in 1844, sucking up frogs. The waterspout dissipated as it moved more inland and dropped frogs from the sky. People were able to hold out their hats and catch the frogs as they fell!
Talk about a bad day to have a frog phobia! (ha)
There is documentation of small animals being carried for over an hour in a t-storms updrafts and then dropped from the sky.
Records
The first radar signature of a tornado was identified 65 years ago today near Willard Airport near Champaign, Illinois. That was in 1953. The radar image was captured with a 35 mm camera by Don Staggs, after he noticed the unusual hook shape showing up. It was noted that this finding could lead to the possible use of radar to identify tornadoes. We’ve certainly come a long way with that!
Luckily, a picture was taken of the tornado by a farmer.
We’ve come a long way!
Almanac
*The rainfall amount yesterday of 2.39″ was a record for that day.
Yesterday’s record high: 81 (1959)
Yesterday’s record low: 20 (2007)
Today’s record high: 84 (1978)
Today’s record low: 25 (1972)
Today’s sunset: 7:09
Tomorrow sunrise: 6:12
Today’s day length: 12 hrs 54 mins 54 secs
Tomorrow’s day length: 12 hrs 57 mins 06 secs
One year ago today
The high was 57, after a morning low of 37. Only a trace of precip fell.
Astronomy
Sky viewing conditions tonight: GOOD
Moon phase: Waxing Crescent, 17% illumination
What to look for in the night sky tonight
Asteroid 2 Pallas will reach peak visibility tonight. It’s easy to spot with binoculars. You can find it by finding Bootes, which shines high in the east during the late evening. You can notice the asteroid’s motion in as little as 30 minutes.
Here’s a night sky chart to help you find it better. I have Pallas circled on the far right of the sky map, Bootes is just below it.
News
The most powerful rocket fired from Kennedy Space Center was scheduled to fire this evening but it has been delayed until tomorrow because of weather. The rocket will carry Arabsat up into orbit. That satellite will provide much better communications to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. This is only the second time the Falcon Heavy rocket has been used and it’s the first time it’s being used for commercial cargo.
So, the great many of us sit and twiddle our thumbs today, contemplating how cool it would be to drive down there and see that darn thing. This is the ground-shaking, feel-the-heat rockets that you hear so much about.
Hopefully, weather will be better tomorrow and the satellite will be off.
You all hav
e a great day!