Where Have All the Showers Gone?

Yeah we all know when it rains it's not as hot.  Well, this summer it has not rained very much, consequently we've been very hot, hotter than average/normal.  In fact, we are on pace to be one of the driest years ever since records began in 1946 at MSY.  But why?  What's different this year?

I've drawn the axis of the Atlantic Ridge/Bermuda High that has been suppressed to our south by a persistent upper East Coast tough.  The 'wet side" of the Bermuda High has stayed well to our south with zero tropical waves making their way from the SE to the NW across the Gulf.  What has happened is an upper heat dome sits to our west with an occasional disturbance rotating around it (ring of fire).  Until this pattern changes, we'll keep baking.  Zack Fradella showed us some hope for this weekend on his morning programs.

So for Thursday & Friday, you'll have to water your potted plants & gardens as highs flirt with 100 degrees.

Despite what the nightly network news programs proclaim, the nation is not on fire.  Look at how the heat is confined to the SW and Texas.  Sure, we'll be too hot for the next couple of days, but that has happened before.

Since i find talking about the daily heat boring, let's focus on the Tropics, where NHC says there might be some action during the next 5 days.

Mean while, Tropical Storm Don is making a loop out in the Atlantic.

Hey, we could have 20 named storms this season.  IF they all stay out over the Atlantic, we don't care.  So far so good for us, but the heart of the season is still 4 weeks away.  Stay tuned!