You can thank a series of fronts over the past couple of weeks that have moved over and through the metro for the additional cloud cover, periods of acceptable humidity levels, and scattered rainfall. That trend will continue as we head into the work and school week. The closest front is to our south but it is very weak, so wind direction is variable to southeasterly. As your Sunday progresses, a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV), or remnant weak low pressure left behind by a previous thunderstorm complex, will move across the Mid-South from the west as upper level flow pushes it east-northeast. This will bring a good chance of rain to the area later this afternoon and into the nighttime hours.
 |
| Simulated radar from the HRRR model through the early morning hours on Monday shows a large slug of moisture moving across the metro later this afternoon and into the early nighttime hours. You'll notice the distinct "spin" in the area of potential thunderstorms on the back side of the rain area. That is the low pressure system driving the precip, what we call a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV). (WxBell) |
A few thunderstorms are possible, mainly south of the city where a Marginal Risk (level 1/5) of severe weather exists. I do not expect to see any strong storms in the metro. Rainfall totals could rise to a half-inch to inch in some spots by Monday morning.
 |
| A low-end severe weather risk exists for the far southern portions of the metro today. I expect no severe weather for most of the metro and only a low chance of thunder north of the MS/TN state line. |
The week ahead
In the wake of the rain today and tonight, Monday looks to be drier though a chance of storms is in the offing, mainly south of the city. Though humidity will be back in the "muggy" category, temperatures remain mild with highs in the mid 80s due to only partly sunny skies.Additional scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible nearly each day throughout the week and into next weekend, although not everyone will see rain every day. In fact, rain chances diminish some mid-week as upper level high pressure begins to build to our south and push north a bit. That will squash rain chances a bit, leaving a few possible in the heat of the day.
Speaking of heat, it's making a comeback under this high as well. We'll be back above 90° by Wednesday with dewpoints getting closer to the "miserable" range as they near 75°. That'll mean heat indices back above 100° and overnight lows that get no lower than the mid 70s. The mugginess could subside a bit by next weekend as the pattern shifts just a bit, but typical summer weather will continue right into the weekend.
 |
| Forecast temperatures for the next 10 days from the National Weather Service "National Blend of Models" (NBM), which averages today multiple models to depict the best possible forecast using them all. (WxBell) |
Eclipse Forecast
I know everyone's keen interest is on the eclipse forecast a week from tomorrow, August 21. Eight days out can still be a crap shoot as far as cloud forecasts, but the overall pattern doesn't necessarily bode well. Of course, a couple hours of partly cloudy skies is all we need, but it doesn't appear Eclipse Day will be a bright sunny day dominated by high pressure at all levels. Stay tuned and cross those fingers!! Starting tomorrow, eclipse day will be in the extended range forecast on your MWN app!For more on viewing the eclipse in the Memphis area, see our Viewing Guide if you haven't already!
Erik Proseus
MWN Meteorologist
----
Follow MWN on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
Visit MemphisWeather.net on the web or m.memphisweather.net on your mobile phone.
Download our iPhone or Android apps, featuring StormWatch+ severe weather alerts!
 |  |
| MWN is a NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador | Meteorologist Erik Proseus is an NWA Digital Seal Holder |
No comments:
Post a Comment