A heat ridge is taking over the Central United States and will have an impact on Baton Rouge area weather this week.

Today and Tonight: Look for Isolated showers and thunderstorms today, however with not as much areal coverage as over the weekend. Highs will be in the mid 90s. Lows will be in the mid 70s overnight with mostly clear skies. 

Up Next:  Rain chances slowly taper into the start of the week, but not completely. Every day can expect at least a pop up shower or thunderstorm somewhere, but most locations will not receive rain each day. As the rain chances taper, temperatures respond a bit by climbing into the upper 90s in many spots. While a heat advisory may not be needed, some afternoons of at least 96 degrees are expected. A few places could reach higher. Feels like temperatures will no doubt be at least 100 degrees. 

The Tropics: The tropics remain inactive after an above average June. No development is expected into the next several days in the Gulf, Atlantic, or Caribbean.

THE SCIENCE:

Forecast Discussion:  As a weak trough loses influence, marine convection that develops early will blow inland and form new storms near outflow on Monday. This will likely be the final day of scattered coverage though because a broad ridge is building over the Central United States. This ridge will cap the atmosphere in the mid levels and make it a little more difficult for daily convection. Daily coverage Tuesday to Friday is likely to be in the 20 percent range with a focus closer to the cost and the sea breeze.

--Josh

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