While showers and thunderstorms remain in the forecast, the risk for severe weather is much lower today, with action much more scattered in nature.

THE FORECAST:

Today and Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms will again be scattered on Thursday—especially during the first half of the day. No washout is in the cards and a few breaks of sun are possible in between showers. While the threat for severe weather is low, downpours, gusty wind and small hail are possible. High temperatures will climb into the mid 80s. Overnight, lows will remain well above average for Late April, in the low 70s.

Up Next: A warm and humid feel will continue into Friday with high temperatures taking aim at 90 degrees. Most locations will likely fall just short of that plateau but it will feel much more like June than April. Saturday will be warm, but it is starting to look as though showers will need to be mentioned in the afternoon and evening ‘casts. By Sunday, a storm system is expected to bring more widespread rain and thunderstorms.  

THE SCIENCE:

Forecast Discussion:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms will hang on Thursday in the presence of a weak leftover boundary. Forcing will be much weaker as the upper trough axis won’t offer as much support. Coverage and intensity of storms will be much lower than Wednesday and the showers will be most likely during the middle of the day with peak heating available. By Friday, a weak mid-level ridge will bring more of a lid over the region capping off much, if not all, of the convection. Another shortwave, positioned farther south will work into the region by Sunday. An accompanying surface low and front are expected to help develop more widespread showers and thunderstorms for the second half of the weekend. Slow-moving, this trough could send waves of rain toward the local area with a few inches accumulating between Sunday and Tuesday.     

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