A Warm Weekend Preview

Good Friday morning, folks!  We had another cool start to the day, with some areas dipping into the 40s, and the rest of us starting in the lower 50s.  Although that’s unseasonably cool for June, abundant sunshine combined with dry ground is quickly boosting temperatures into the middle 80s today.

There is no shortage of sunshine, and afternoon clouds will be sparse.  Here’s a look at the satellite picture at mid-morning.

Courtesy: Penn State Univ. Dept. of Meteorology

A large ridge of high pressure is still overhead, and will SLOWLY depart to the east over the next two days.  This process will be slow enough to keep us dry through Saturday night.

Courtesy: Penn State Univ. Dept. of Meteorology

Saturday will likely be the warmest day in this stretch.  Highs will soar to near 86° in Lexington.  Here is this Friday morning’s forecast for Saturday’s temperatures.  This model forecast is probably a little too conservative with the heat, considering how dry we have been.  (Drier ground allows the sun’s rays to heat the air faster, as less energy is lost to evaporative processes.)

Sunday will be a day of transition, with the ridge exiting to the east, and a disturbance arriving from the southwest.  Humidity levels will rise, and scattered, late-day thunderstorms will occur in some areas on Sunday.  This next map shows the GFS forecast for precipitation between now and Sunday night.  Locally, the hit-or-miss thunderstorms will occur on Sunday PM.

Courtesy: Penn State Univ. Dept. of Meteorology

As the new workweek begins, a more organized storm system will produce numerous, slow-moving showers and thunderstorms.  The Monday – Wednesday time frame could easily bring 1" to 2" of rain to many areas.

Until then, enjoy the bright, warm and dry weather!

Have a great weekend, and be safe.

Geoff