Beau Dodson's WeatherTalk Blog

August 15, 2015: Warmer days ahead of us.

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This forecast update covers far southern Illinois, far southeast Missouri, and far western Kentucky. See the coverage map on the right side of the blog.

Remember that weather evolves.  Check back frequently for updates, especially during active weather.

The forecast numbers below may vary a bit across the region.  These are the averages.

 

Friday night –  Mostly clear.  Nice weather for August, once again.
Temperatures:  Lows in the lower to middle 60’s .
Winds:  
East and northeast winds at 5 mph.
My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Should I cancel my outdoor plans?  
 No
Is severe weather expected?  No

What is the chance for precipitation?   0%

What impact is expected?  None

 

Saturday – Partly to mostly sunny.  Again, nice weather for August.  A few scattered storms possible over western Kentucky and western Tennessee.  A bit warmer and a little more humid as winds turn around to the south.
Temperatures:  Highs in the middle to upper 80’s.
Winds:
East/southeast winds at 5-10 mph.
My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Should I cancel my outdoor plans?  
 No, but check radars
Is severe weather expected?  No

What is the chance for precipitation?  A 10%-20% chance for a storm

What impact is expected?  None

 

Saturday night –  Partly cloudy.  Mild.
Temperatures:  Lows in the middle to upper 60’s .
Winds: 
East/southeast winds at 5 mph.
My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Should I cancel my outdoor plans?  
 No
Is severe weather expected?  No

What is the chance for precipitation?   10%

What impact is expected?  No widespread impacts anticipated

 

Sunday – Partly sunny.  A little warmer.  A little more humid.  Small chance for a thunderstorm.
Temperatures:  Highs in the upper 80’s.
Winds:
South winds at 5-10 mph.
My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Should I cancel my outdoor plans?  
 No
Is severe weather expected?  No

What is the chance for precipitation?  10%
-20%
What impact is expected?  If storms form then a brief downpour.  Gusty winds.  Lightning.

 

Sunday night –  Just a few clouds.  Mild.
Temperatures:  Lows in the middle to upper 60’s .
Winds: 
Southeast winds at 5 mph.
My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is high
Should I cancel my outdoor plans?  
 No
Is severe weather expected?  No

What is the chance for precipitation?   10%

What impact is expected?  No widespread impacts anticipated

 

Monday – Partly sunny.  A thunderstorm possible.
Temperatures:  Highs in the upper 80’s to around 90 degrees.
Winds:
South winds at 5-10 mph.
My confidence in this part of the forecast verifying is medium
Should I cancel my outdoor plans?  
 No
Is severe weather expected?  No

What is the chance for precipitation? 
20%-30%
What impact is expected?  If storms form then a brief downpour.  Gusty winds.  Lightning.

 

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Sunrise and Sunset Times – Click Here

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Don’t forget to check out the Southern Illinois Weather Observatory web-site for weather maps, tower cams, scanner feeds, radars, and much more!  Click here

beausanalysis

An explanation of what is happening in the atmosphere over the coming days…

Highlights

1.  Saturday and Sunday will bring warmer temperatures
2.  Small storm chances on Sunday and Monday
3.  Better chances for precipitation as we push into the middle of the week

I am forecasting decent weather for the weekend.   Temperatures will be a little bit warmer with highs in the upper 80’s.  It will also be a bit more humid as we push into the weekend.  It will feel more like August (I know we were becoming a bit spoiled with the recent below normal temperature days).

A few storms will be possible on Saturday afternoon and evening over western Kentucky and Tennessee.

We could have a few scattered showers and thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and evening.  Same for Monday.  Right now it does not appear to be a widespread rain event.  Scattered.

A cold front is forecast to move into the region around Wednesday/Thursday.  Same front we have been watching for a week.  Some uncertainty as to whether this front will sweep through the region or if it will stall out.  Too soon to make a call.  I will watch the trends.

Expect an uptick in shower and thunderstorm chances by Wednesday and Thursday.  Not sure, yet on Friday.

Temperatures next week will be warm.  High temperatures in the upper 80’s to lower 90’s.  If we end up with more clouds on one or two days then that will knock a few degrees off of highs.  Expect humidity levels to be higher next week, as well.  Dew points will range from the upper 60’s to lower 70’s.

I have been happy about the nice weather this past week.  It has been my vacation time.  I know we will have active weather in the fall and winter.  So, it has been a nice little break.

I will have a lot more to say about El Nino over the coming months.  I already see the media hyping this event.  I suspect anything and everything will be blamed on El Nino before the winter is over.  You will be sick of hearing about it.  As will I.  El Nino is only one part of the winter forecast.  It is not the whole.  There are many many other factors that come into play when we start thinking about a winter forecast.  PDO and NAO.  The waters immediately off the West Coast are of more interest to me.

 

Radars

WEATHER RADAR PAGEClick here

 

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I also set up a storm tracking page with additional links (use during active weather for quick reference)
Storm Tracking Tool Page

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rainfallforecast

How much precipitation should we expect over the next few days?

Not expecting precipitation on Saturday for most of us.  I can’t rule out a couple of storms over western Kentucky and Tennessee.  But, most areas should remain dry.

Scattered storms on Sunday could produce 0.25″-0.50″.  Isolated spots.  Same for Monday.

 

 

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Can we expect severe thunderstorms over the next 24 to 48 hours?  Remember that a severe thunderstorm is defined as a thunderstorm that produces 58 mph winds or higher, quarter size hail or larger, and/or a tornado.

Thunderstorm threat level is ZERO for Saturday.  One for Sunday.

Saturday:  Not expecting storms
Sunday:     A few storms possible
Monday:   A few storms possible
Tuesday:   A few storms possible
Wednesday:  An increase in storm coverage possible.

Right now, I am not expecting severe weather this week.  But, as always I will be monitoring.

 

whatamiconcered

Not concerned about any extreme weather.  An uptick in heat index values over the weekend.

 

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Here are the current river stage forecasts.   You can click your state and then the dot for your location.  It will bring up the full forecast and hydrograph.

Click Here For River Stage Forecasts…

Here are some current forecast hydrographs.  These will be updated each day with new information.

Smithland Lock and Dam

Paducah, Kentucky Forecast Stage

Cairo, Illinois

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Current Temperatures Around The Local Area

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We have regional radars and local city radars – if a radar does not seem to be updating then try another one. Occasional browsers need their cache cleared. You may also try restarting your browser. That usually fixes the problem. Occasionally we do have a radar go down. That is why I have duplicates. Thus, if one fails then try another one.

If you have any problems then please send me an email beaudodson@usawx.com

WEATHER RADAR PAGEClick here

We also have a new national interactive radar – you can view that radar by clicking here.

Local interactive city radars include St Louis, Mt Vernon, Evansville, Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau, Marion, Paducah, Hopkinsville, Memphis, Nashville, Dyersburg, and all of eastern Kentucky – these are interactive radars. Local city radars – click here

NOTE:  Occasionally you will see ground clutter on the radar (these are false echoes).  Normally they show up close to the radar sites – including Paducah.

http://www.weatherobservatory.com/weather-radar.htm

Regional Radar – Click on radar to take you our full radar page.

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Regional Radar

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Live Lightning Data – zoom and pan:  Click here
Live Lightning Data with sound (click the sound button on the left side of the page): Click here

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I also set up a storm tracking page with additional links (use during active weather for quick reference)
Storm Tracking Tool Page

clickherewatches

Current WARNINGS (a warning means take action now). Click on your county to drill down to the latest warning information. Keep in mind that there can be a 2-3 minute delay in the updated warning information.

I strongly encourage you to use a NOAA Weather Radio or warning cell phone app for the most up to date warning information. Nothing is faster than a NOAA weather radio.

Color shaded counties are under some type of watch, warning, advisory, or special weather statement.  Click your county to view the latest information.

Missouri Warnings

Illinois Warnings

Kentucky Warnings

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Here is the official 6-10 day and 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlook.  Check the date stamp at the top of each image (so you understand the time frame).

The forecast maps below are issued by the Weather Prediction Center (NOAA).

The latest 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlook.  Note the dates are at the top of the image.  These maps DO NOT tell you how high or low temperatures or precipitation will be.  They simply give you the probability as to whether temperatures or precipitation will be above or below normal.

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Who do you trust for your weather information and who holds them accountable?

I have studied weather in our region since the late 1970’s.  I have 37 years of experience in observing our regions weather patterns.  My degree is in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University and an Associate of Science (AS).  I am currently working on my Bachelor’s Degree in Geoscience.  Just need to finish two Spanish classes!

I am a member of the American Meteorological Society.  I am a NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador.  And, I am the Meteorologist for McCracken County Emergency Management.

I own and operate the Southern Illinois Weather Observatory.

There is a lot of noise on the internet.  A lot of weather maps are posted without explanation.  Over time you should learn who to trust for your weather information.

My forecast philosophy is simple and straight forward.

  • Communicate in simple terms
  • To be as accurate as possible within a reasonable time frame before an event
  • Interact with you on Twitter, Facebook, and the blog
  • Minimize the “hype” that you might see on television or through other weather sources
  • Push you towards utilizing wall-to-wall LOCAL TV coverage during severe weather events

I am a recipient of the Mark Trail Award, WPSD Six Who Make A Difference Award, Kentucky Colonel, and the Caesar J. Fiamma” Award from the American Red Cross.  In 2009 I was presented with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Award.  I was recognized by the Kentucky House of Representatives for my service to the State of Kentucky leading up to several winter storms and severe weather outbreaks.

If you click on the image below you can read the Kentucky House of Representatives Resolution.

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I am also President of the Shadow Angel Foundation which serves portions of western Kentucky and southern Illinois.

Many of my graphics are from www.weatherbell.com – a great resource for weather data, model data, and more

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awaremail

You can sign up for my AWARE email by clicking here I typically send out AWARE emails before severe weather, winter storms, or other active weather situations. I do not email watches or warnings. The emails are a basic “heads up” concerning incoming weather conditions.

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