Forgettable Friday, Sunny & Drier Weekend

Today has been one of those stay-in-bed days where we see no sunshine, periods of rain, and super muggy air that is causing all kinds of allergy problems.  Since I moved into Copeland Tower back last December, I have marveled at my views from 14 stories up.  Not today, as a low cloud deck has made for a dreary day. It's not a pretty day at JazzFest.

And as ugly as it is at 3 PM, Friday afternoon and evening will only get worse as the upper disturbance coming across Texas will trigger widespread moderate to heavy rainfall across south LA/MS.  Our local NWS office is indicating the potential for another 4-6" of rainfall overnight, so we can expect some local street flooding.

You can see there is lots of lightning back to our west, so expect a noisy evening & overnight. The surface front has pushed down to the coast, making it feel cool & damp outside.

Gone are the 80s replaced by 50s & 60s.  Note the much lower dew points (drier air) behind the front.  Tomorrow & Sunday will feel much better once the sun returns.  But we have to get through another 12-18 hours of nasty weather.

Look for many hours of moderate to heavy rainfall through at least midnight.  The real storms with lightning & strong winds are back towards Houston.  If we're lucky, most of that will stay offshore to our south.  If not, it will get really ugly here in the 10 PM-3 AM time frame.  There is a 20-degree difference between Venice & McComb!

Once the upper low gets to our east, all the clouds and showers will pull away, making for a great feel weekend.  Thursday's drought monitor did not include yesterday's rainfall.  With a lot more to come tonight, it should really improve when it comes out next Thursday.  Let's pay attention this evening as we're in for a rainy night.   FYI, I haven't done a podcast for a while as there has been little weather to talk about.  I will do one next week, dealing with the upcoming Hurricane Season, which begins one month from today.  Go to bobbreck.com to sign up.  Enjoy the current coolness as you know what's coming.  Stay tuned!

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!