Tag Archives: extended forecast

Is the Reprieve Here to Stay?

August 6, 2012

Expected Pattern 8-5

While rejoicing about this morning (lows 56 to 68), many are asking, will the persistent heat return? Thankfully, the answer is not yet. Earlier indications were that the scorching heat would return for the 10th through the 15th, but some welcome changes have occurred. Models now agree that the hot dome of high pressure stays west of the area, at least through the middle of next week. This means multiple cold fronts for the Missouri River Valley. Highs will climb above 90 ahead of the fronts, and drop below 90 behind the fronts, with no persistent 100+ stretches in sight. We look forward to occasional rain chances; not drought busting rains, but certainly welcome nonetheless. The jury is still out on the second half of the month. With the drought continuing, another heat wave could certainly be in store, but for now, watch for more pleasant days ahead!

 

8-5

No Real Break in Sight

July 31, 2012

 

Occasional showers bring cloudy relief to a lucky few this week, but where the sun’s shining, temperatures continue climbing. This pattern is slightly nicer than the pattern we’ve seen so far this summer, with the ridge displaced slightly west. This keeps the hottest and driest weather just west of the Missouri River Valley.  As disturbances form over the Desert Southwest, they can climb up and over the ridge, spilling occasional rain chances into our area (ISO 1-1.5).  Unfortunately the lack of coverage and intensity of any rainfall continues to disappoint most thirsty lawns.

More widespread heat relief and rain chances arrive this weekend as another weak cold front moves through the region. The best potential to be closer to 90 than 100 should be the first day or two after the front passes. Then as the front retreats between the 6th-8th of August, there will likely be a gradual warm-up from west to east, with isolated rain chances continuing. After the 8th, the dome centers over us again causing the rain chances to decrease and heat to increase, with the next potential heat wave looming on the horizon sometime around the 10th-15th of August.  So, other than a few lucky locations, there are no signs of significant relief to the ongoing drought or sweltering summer heat.