Rain coverage to back off after today

Another afternoon of at least scattered showers and thunderstorms is expected before drier, hotter weather returns. Don't expect as much coverage as what we saw yesterday.

THE FORECAST:

Today and Tonight: More scattered showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday, although forecast area coverage may be a tick lower with more action found along and south of the interstates. Highs will still make it into the low 90s but humidity will begin to scale back a bit. Overnight will be quieter with lows in the mid 70s.

Up Next: If drier air will indeed be noticed, heighten your senses on Thursday and Friday. High temperatures will still be warm though—making it into the low 90s. No more than a stray shower will be found on the slightly less humid northern side of a weak front. The extended Independence Day Weekend will be warm and a bit humid, though not quite as oppressive as the previous weekend. Under mostly sunny skies, afternoon highs will head for the mid 90s.

THE SCIENCE:

Forecast Discussion:  An upper trough and weak cold front have been focal points for shower and thunderstorm develop over the last two days, and that will continue through Wednesday. Development has been, and will continue to be, maximized when daytime highs are reached around midday. But due to the added action, afternoon feels-like temperatures will be fairly limited compared to where they had been. Highs will generally be around 90 degrees on account of earlier clouds and showers. By Thursday, the weak upper level trough and surface front will lose their influence on the region as the ridge builds back overhead. Fortunately, the front will leave behind a brief time of northerly surface winds which will keep dew points, or humidity down compared to the last several days. Therefore, even though the ridge will “cap” the atmosphere, leading to mostly sunny skies and hot temperatures, the comparatively lower humidity will lead to feels-like temperatures no worse than the last few days. Expect those conditions to persist through Fourth of July.  

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~RGIII