Summer Won't Leave, Above Average Temps Return

Synopsis

A weak frontal boundary stalled over the Mid-South has kept some clouds over us this morning with bearable temperatures and relatively low humidity. That looks to change as a ridge of high pressure dominates with above average temperatures returning over the weekend. 

Analysis

Visible satellite imagery at 9:15am CDT showing a band of clouds across the Mid-South along a weak front.

Visible satellite imagery shows a band of clouds across the region associated with a weak frontal boundary. These clouds won't linger too much longer today as the sun works to break them up. This boundary will dissipate and not have much of an effect on our weather. The story for this weekend is above average temperatures, despite the fact that meteorological fall has just begun. [EP: Meteorological fall, unlike "real fall" begins Sep 1 and lasts through Nov. It's mainly designed this way for simplicity of climatological record-keeping.] Along with hotter temperatures, expect humidity to also slowly be on the rise becoming uncomfortable by the start of the work week.

A large ridge of high pressure at 500mb (18,000') covers much of the "flyover" portion of the country. This will keep temps above normal as long as it sticks around.

This is all due to a strong ridge of high pressure to our west which will slowly shift closer to us towards the beginning of next week. Expect partly cloudy skies Sunday and Monday with MOS guidance a little too high on temperatures. [EP: MOS is numerical data we weather geeks look at in making our forecast. Definitely a nerd-apalooza for those who had to bear calculus and physics in college. The reference here indicates that the data appears to show temperatures warmer than William thinks they will actually be. He's probably right.]

William's Memphis Forecast: 

Saturday: A few clouds with a high of 95, low of 72.

Sunday: Partly cloudy with a high of 95, low of 73.

Monday: Partly cloudy with a high of 94, low of 75.

[EP: If you're headed to the Delta Fair, Germantown Festival, or Memphis Tigers football season and home opener this weekend, plan to sweat during the afternoon, but the humidity will be just below summer norms. Early mornings and evenings should be fairly comfortable. Heat indices could approach 100 on Sunday afternoon.]

--William Churchill, MWN Social Media Intern
[Comments by MWN Meteorologist Erik Proseus noted and italicized]

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