LOTS OF RAIN AHEAD: A very stormy beginning to the week across the state with a disturbance moving in from the west combining with a cold front that will be coming in from the north. The two will bring plenty of showers and thunderstorms across the state and behind it will come a batch of cold air that we haven’t seen in several months. First off today, skies should be partly to mostly sunny for the eastern half of the state while the western half should see an increase in cloudiness with an isolated shower or storm possible there by the afternoon hours. Highs today will range from the 70s to the lower 80s. Shower and thunderstorm chances will overspread the state tonight through Tuesday into Wednesday. Some of the rain could be quite heavy, especially Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. The Storm Prediction Center had the entire state under a slight risk of severe weather for Tuesday and Tuesday night when they issued the outlook yesterday morning. All modes of severe weather could be possible with biggest threats likely coming from large hail and damaging straight line winds. Tuesday’s highs should be similar to Monday with 70s and lower 80s across the state. The heaviest rain will move out of the state Wednesday morning with only a few spotty showers remaining for the rest of the day. Readings will likely be steady or falling during the afternoon hours as the winds turn to the north. Thursday and Friday look to be mainly dry, although the GFS wants to bring in some precipitation on Friday to the far southern counties, skies should be partly to mostly sunny for most. Highs will be in the 60s across the state (some upper 50s can’t be ruled out) Lows will easily drop into the 40s and possibly some 30s in some areas. We may see a light frost especially in the colder locations such as river valleys if the winds can become light and the skies is mostly clear.
WEEKEND AND BEYOND: The weekend looks good with sunshine and a few clouds from time to time. The GFS looks to be a bit overzealous on possible precipitation which may be some light fog during the morning hours, otherwise the rest of the weekend should be ok with highs in the 60s to lower and middle 70s across the area. Some precipitation may begin to sneak into the southern and southwestern counties late Sunday night into next Monday but we have plenty of time to watch that in the coming days. Looking farther out into the extended period, the cooler temperatures may continue for a few days more before we see some modifying in readings. There are a few systems that may move through the state but with plenty of activity going on this week, we’ll wait possible trends in the coming days.
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