If you choose to go with the warming meal for Saturday’s sunrise, as long as there’s nothing leafy and green in it, we won’t have to send you to Disney and Florida where it’s still humid. With sunshine, low humidity and slightly cooler than average temperatures, the Baton Rouge area can expect the most pleasant outdoor weekend since Early May.

THE FORECAST:

Today and Tonight: This afternoon will be very pleasant. After a cool start, sunshine will help guide thermometers into the low 80s this afternoon. Some traditional cool spots north of Baton Rouge could even find temperatures struggling to leave the 70s. High School football players and fans alike will enjoy the comfortable conditions. Overnight will be clear and cool once again with lows in the upper 50s.  

Up Next: Grab a jacket if you’re an early-to-rise tailgater. Layers will be the key though as morning temperatures in the 50s will quickly climb into the low 80s. Skies are expected to be mostly sunny in the afternoon but a few clouds are possible later and into the evening. Through the LSU game, temperatures will fall from the upper 70s to upper 60s. Sunday will repeat, putting the cap on a brilliant weekend of outdoor weather. Monday and Tuesday will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the mid 60s.  

The Tropics: Hurricane Matthew has strenghtened into a category two storm moving west at 15mph. With maximum sustained winds of 100mph and a minimum central pressure of 979mb, Matthew is expected to continue west through today, possibly becoming a major category three storm. Track uncertainty remains high beyond Saturday, when a hard north turn is expected. Should this be the case, the Gulf Coast would likely be spared while significant impacts would occur in Jamaica and Cuba. Use this as a reminder to review your plans and check the kit as preparedness never hurts! For an even more detailed video analysis, CLICK HERE. 

THE SCIENCE:

Forecast Discussion: Parked over the Ohio Valley and bringing heavy rain to the Mid-Atlantic Region, and upper level trough is having quite the opposite effect locally. Cooler and drier air moving down the backside of this trough will keep the Gulf Coast tranquil. The most pronounced effects of the trough will be felt through Saturday Morning with Friday Afternoon highs and Saturday Morning lows running about 5 degrees below average. One nuance that forecast models are detecting is a weak shortwave trough rolling across the Gulf Coast over the Saturday/Sunday time period. While there simply isn’t enough moisture to generate any precipitation, some passing clouds aren’t out of the question. As both troughs pull away into next week, a slow moderation in temperatures will begin and low level humidity will increase very slowly into the middle of next week. As it seems we’re in a fairly amplified pattern right now, the next trough is pegged for Thursday or Friday and could send another cold front through by next weekend. While timing and details are coarse right now, if this scenario plays out, it could do the area some favors in keeping Matthew away. With regard to that storm, the latest National Hurricane Center forecast continues to keep the system in the Western Atlantic and no local impact is expected at this time.    

You can stay in touch with Meteorologist Josh Eachus on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.