Heat, Cold, Storms...Active Weather Weekend.

Thank goodness the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo is not this weekend as intense heat coupled with brisk west winds would make fishing very difficult.  Hopefully we’ll not be as hot for next weekend and those dreaded west winds will be gone.   You can register for the Rodeo($25) and an opportunity to win a fully outfitted boat & trailer at www.tarponrodeo.org.   You don’t have to be present to win.

 

Locally the news is all about “extreme” heat with highs 95-98 & heat indices 110+.  This obviously is dangerous heat, but as David correctly mentioned, most of those living in the Deep South are accustomed to this type of heat, unlike those living over the Great Lakes to New England.   You need to use common sense working or playing outdoors, but that’s what we do every day during our brutal Summers.  There are several other weather stories that are/will cause headlines during the next 2-3 days.   An unusually deep upper low centered over southern Lake Michigan is dropping southward triggering severe storms over a large part of the nation.  In addition, a small low has formed just south of Wilmington, NC and models are suggesting it will move up the coast and bring heavy rains and gusty winds from Atlantic City to Cape Cod.  NHC still is not mentioning this feature and I’m not sure why since there is potential for development that would affect millions of people.   Perhaps they believe this low will stay over land and be more like a Winter-like system (cold core)?   Regardless, it’ll be stormy Saturday along the Outer Banks  spreading up the Coast to NYC & Long Island on Sunday.    As the upper low keeps diving to the south, models are predicting it will cut off/close off over the Florida Panhandle and drift westward towards us.  In response, the Upper High/Heat Wave currently over us will be forced back to the west resulting in less hot temperatures for next week.  IF the Upper Low keeps moving to the west, we could get on the “wet side” for Thursday & Friday.  Upper lows are cold air aloft (higher up) that result in a very unstable atmosphere where severe T-Storms can develop during daytime heating.  Next week could turn stormy, especially along the beaches to our east.  Stay tuned!