Weather Headlines
–Isolated storms today, with more widespread activity expected Sunday
–Unsettled weather continues through Tuesday
–End of the week looking less humid with dry conditions
–Tropics are getting active
Main threats
No widespread hazardous weather is in sight.
Summary
We’ll see mainly afternoon and evening isolated storms today, especially south of I-40. Be mindful of these storms if you have outdoor plans.
A better coverage of rain and storms is expected for our Sunday, as a disturbance swings through. Expect rain and storm chances to stay fairly high through Tuesday. At that point, we will see a cold front swing through that will bring an airmass change. Look for less humid conditions and more pleasant temperatures toward the end of the week.
Almanac
One year ago today
Wow! The morning low this time last year was only 55 degrees. Then, we only got to 75 degrees for a high. Talk about a nice August day!
7-Day forecast
Records
The town of Guinea, Virginia was deluged with nine inches of rain in only 45 minutes on this day in 1906! Can you imagine how bad that flash flood must have been? That’s what you call a cloudburst!
The fair was in town in Crawford County in Pennsylvania on this day in 1968. A storm blew in, sending a lightning strike into the fairgrounds. Two people were killed and 72 others suffered various injuries.
Tropics
The tropics continue to be active and we will more than likely see two new named storms before the weekend is over. I’ll let you all know as soon as they get named. We’ll be looking at Dorian and Erin.
Pictured below are the two threats and their expected paths outlined.
WeatherTAP WeatherFACT
Hail can fall in various sizes. Often times, folks will report that hail “the size of a hen egg fell” or hail the “size of a marble” fell. Well, hen eggs vary in size and marbles come in all shapes and sizes!
The best way to describe the size of hail, especially to the National Weather Service, is to compare it to money. Was the hail the size of pennies? Dimes? Quarters? Half dollars? Money stays a consistent size and gives much better info about size.
Of course, the very best way to describe is the get out a ruler and measure one!
Today’s WeatherTAP WeatherWORD
Cloudburst
Any sudden and heavy fall of rain. An unofficial criteria specifies a rate of rainfall equal to or greater than 100 mm (3.94 inches) of rain per hour.
NASA Knowledge
Russian cosmonauts were given “suicide pills” just in case something went wrong while they were performing any number of tasks in space. During the first space walk, one cosmonaut nearly took his when he realized his space suit had inflated while we was outside the capsule. He couldn’t get back in. Just before running our of oxygen and up to his knees in sweat, he figured how to let some of the pressure out (albeit it was very dangerous). He made it back inside.
The idea of suicide pills is probably one of the most common myths associated with NASA’s astronauts. No American astronaut has ever been given a suicide pill, nor will they ever be.
News
I’m not one to harp on extended outlooks but everyone else sure is (ha). Extended outlooks continue to indicate below normal temperatures for next weekend. I guess it is time for our first taste of fall, so it’s not a wild option the models are spewing out. For those of you who like fall, keep your fingers crossed!
You all have a great weekend!