Main threats
No widespread hazardous wx is expected.
Summary
The spring-like days that we’ve been experiencing are about to feel more like summer. Clouds and the threat for showers this afternoon/evening will keep temps down today. We’ll warm up a bit tomorrow but clouds may be slow to move out, holding down our temps once again. By Friday, the clouds become more broken and that mid-May sun will really help to warm us up, along with southerly winds.
What will really make it feel more summer-like is the increase in humidity that is coming. The Gulf is already warming up nicely and we will have southerly winds coming straight from it. That will mean warm and humid afternoons and warm and humid nights. With that heat and humidity comes the threat for an isolated shower or storm, mainly in the afternoon or evening, through Sunday. This is a very typical summer-like pattern here on the plateau.
By Sunday night, another system approaches that should bring us better rain and storm chances. I may have to introduce a chance for a strong storm or two, but for now I’ll hold off and just monitor that.
Those rain chances should linger with us through Monday, possibly even into Tuesday.
WeatherTAP WeatherFACT
You are nine times more likely to die from a lightning strike than by a venomous snake bite. Watch out for that lightning!
Records
On this day in 1901 the city of Clarksville recorded their latest freeze on record, with a morning low of 31 degrees. This is the coldest temperature ever recorded for them in the month of May. Clarksville is located about 50 miles northwest of Nashville.
On this day in 1994 a man was trying to park his tractor-trailer truck near his home in Pleasant View, TN when lightning struck and killed him. Pleasant View is located about halfway between Nashville and Clarksville.
On this day in 1968 a tornado touched down just southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. It was the second tornado recorded in all of Alaska since those records were started in 1950. As of May 14, 2019 there have only been four recorded tornadoes in the whole state of Alaska since 1950. So, if you don’t like tornadoes you should move to Alaska, but prepare to freeze your tail off (haha).
Almanac
Yesterday’s record high: 87 (2018)
Yesterday’s record low: 35 (1996)
Today’s record high: 88 (1962)
Today’s record low: 33 (1959)
Today’s sunset: 7:39
Tomorrow sunrise: 5:33
Today’s day length: 14 hrs 05 mins 26 secs
Tomorrow’s day length: 14 hrs 06 mins 59 secs
One year ago today
The high reached 83 degrees, after a mild morning low of 62. It must have come an afternoon storm at the Crossville Airport, because 1.39 inches of rain was recorded.
Astronomy
Sky viewing conditions tonight: POOR
Moon rise: 4:17 p.m.
Moon set: 3:51 a.m.
Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous, 86% illumination
What to look for in the night sky tonight
Clouds should put a damper on stargazing.
News
The NWS Nashville put out this graphic yesterday. With the heat that is coming this weekend to Middle TN, Nashville is expecting to hit 90 degrees for the first time this year. We won’t get that warm here in Crossville, of course.
This is an interesting graphic showing just how variable the weather is across Middle TN in the summer. For example, notice how many more times Nashville and Clarksville hit 90 degrees than we do here on the plateau. Thank goodness for this mountain, right?
You all have a great day!