Rains Have Arrived, Waves Not Bands, Dry, Less Humid Weekend

Yesterday, I mentioned a frontal boundary would sag over us and stall, resulting in the potential for heavy rainfall as storms aligned themselves with the upper (west to east) flow.  The front has pushed south of NOLA, decreasing our temps into the 70s with some 60s on the North Shore at 1 PM.  The 80s have been pushed down to the coast.

That frontal boundary should stall along our coast as several upper-level disturbances trigger WAVES of heavy rainfall.  I still think banding is possible and that could lead to some amounts greater than 5" as Zack showed us this morning.

Unlike yesterday, today's models have the heaviest band south of the city.  Not sure I believe that as satellite and radar look to paint BOTH sides of the Lake with heavy amounts.

I see one small wave already east of us with two more back over Texas.

I've tried to show that with the lime green dashed lines.  Until that main upper trough over the Rockies gets to our east, we'll stay in the high rain chances.  Models today sweep that trough east of us by early on Saturday.  Here's the current surface map/temps/Dew points.

WPC's forecast maps finally get the frontal boundary away from us by Saturday. Today is on top.

The middle map is for Friday morning, indicating a broad brush band of rain over south Louisiana.  IF the current setup (Waves) continues, we'll see many dry hours between the showers.  The bottom is for early Saturday AM with low pressure to our east taking the rains away from us.  I like that solution.

I know the FOX 8 graphic has Friday at 69.  IF the front were to jump back north of us, we could easily rebound back to 80-85.   What is fairly certain is that more rounds/waves of heavy rains are coming before Saturday daybreak.

Keep the rain gear handy, and let's hope the big outdoor events (Zoo-To-Do, JazzFest) get lucky.  I'm hoping this rain will wash some of the "Pollen Swarm" from the air, as Valerie & I have been dealing with watery eyes, running & congested noses for days.  This "seasonal allergy season" seems to go on forever ?!!!  Any personal remedies(Hot teas/soups, drugs!) are accepted.  Stay tuned!