August 18, 2010: Chance of rain today - heat returning soon

August 18, 2010

Noon update - the flood event we talked about last week is underway - large portion of Tennessee and Kentucky is currently under flash flood warnings.  Mostly east/southeast of our region.

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Scattered showers around today...
Heat index values creep back up towards end of week...
Long range still looks warm...

Our disturbance from the west and our tropical depression to the south (remnants of) continue to push moisture and lift into our region.  However, it appears that the dividing line between some decent rainfall and nothing at all will be quite sharp.

As expected the heaviest rains are falling to our south and southeast.  The remnants of tropical depression number 5 are influencing moisture as far north as Kentucky.  During the heat of the day this will flare up even more.

The system to our north and west is not overly impression in the rainfall department.  So, this leaves many of us with just a chance for a few scattered showers and thunderstorms today.  The best coverage will be over Kentucky and Tennessee.  Heavy rainfall will likely occur east and southeast of our immediate local counties.  Unfortunately, this is bad news for most of us.  We still need rain.  Flash flooding is likely over areas of heavy rain - again - to our east and southeast.

Our next chance of rain will occur on Friday into Sunday when another system approaches our region.  Again, not a sure bet that everyone will receive rainfall.

Humidity levels are starting to rise and will continue to rise into this coming weekend.  This combined with hotter temperatures will once again provide a risk for high heat index values.  Long range data indicates normal to above normal temperatures for the rest of August.  We are not finished with the hot weather.  I don't believe we will return to the extreme day in and day out heat - however, additional heat advisories and excessive heat warnings will be possible before all is said and done.

Fall can't arrive soon enough.

Your seven day forecast can be viewed here.

Your interactive radar can be viewed here.

The tropical Atlantic is starting to heat up.  Several disturbances coming off of Africa have a chance for development.  We may see additionalt tropical storms and hurricanes over the next 7-14 day period.  Models are hinting at an east coast system.  Still plenty of time to keep an eye on that subject. 

- Beau Dodson

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