Main threats
TONIGHT: Heavy rainfall and isolated strong/severe storms, mainly after midnight. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are the main threats. The plateau is in the marginal risk for severe storms.
Southerly winds tonight may gust to 30 mph, regardless of storms.
Summary
Today will be mostly cloudy, with clouds increasing throughout the day. Southerly winds will be on the increase, as well, and could become quite gusty overnight. Winds could gust to 30 mph at times. At this time, the plateau is in the marginal risk for severe storms for tonight. The heaviest rain and storms should come between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Up to two inches of rain could fall, with isolated higher amounts possible in stronger storms.
Notice that the marginal risk is the lowest of the severe wx risk categories. The risk for tornadoes tonight is extremely low.
Friday and Saturday are looking very cool, with scattered showers. With so much cold air aloft on Friday, we could see some isolated storms with small hail. Just be aware of that. I think the storm chance will be gone for Saturday, with just showers. Those should taper off by evening.
Easter Sunday looks fantastic. Easter sunrise services (5:58 a.m.) is looking chilly but sunny.
Monday and Tuesday are looking good at this point, with a warming trend underway. Our next storm system may move in by Wednesday.
WeatherTAP WeatherFACT
One inch of rain falling over one acre of land is over 27,000 gallons of water. That water weighs 226,000 pounds.
Records
A very late-season winter storm struck East TN on this day in 1983. The Tri-Cities picked up 5.6″ of snow.
Two back-to-back hailstorms struck the Sacramento Valley of California on this day in 1944. The hailstorms completely destroyed the fruit crops in the valley.
In 1957, a dust devil near Dracut, Massachusetts was heard making a loud whistling sound as it moved eastward. The powerful dust devil threw a small child three feet into the air and rolled two other children along the ground. Thankfully, no one was hurt. That dust devil had some spunk to it!
Almanac
Today’s low was 61.2 at 5:49 a.m.
Yesterday’s record high: 85 (1955)
Yesterday’s record low: 27 (2018)
Today’s record high: 87 (1955) (It was a hot week in 1955! Yesterday’s record high is from that year, as well.)
Today’s record low: 28 (1983)
Today’s sunset: 7:16
Tomorrow sunrise: 6:00
Today’s day length: 13 hrs 14 mins 25 secs
Tomorrow’s day length: 13 hrs 16 mins 32 secs
One year ago today
After breaking a record low the day before (27 deg), we were back into spring by today! The high reached 74 degrees, after a warm morning low of 52. Things can change fast this time of year!
Astronomy
Sky viewing conditions tonight: POOR
Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous, 99% illumination (almost a Full Moon!)
What to look for in the night sky tonight
Clouds will obscure the view.
News
Today is the anniversary of the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Fires set off by the quake were fueled by strong easterly winds that day. Most of the city went up in flames. The earthquake was a whopping 7.9 on the Richter scale and killed 3,.000 people.
I’ll keep an eye on tonight’s gusty winds and strong storm potential and let you know as any new info comes along. This will not be a big severe wx outbreak.
You all have a great day!
