Scattered Thunderstorms Saturday

Good afternoon folks! We are wrapping up another warm afternoon across the region, with moisture continuing to build out of the south and east. A high pressure system off the coast is spinning excess moisture our way and the overall pattern across the region is keeping above average temps alive, setting up summer like conditions Friday through Sunday, with a minor cool down expected by early next week; still above normal levels. Pop up showers and thunderstorms make up the action Friday, while a mass of showers and thunderstorms propagate northeastward Saturday, crossing our region later in the day. Coverage should wind down early Sunday and once a weak front crosses the area, we expect dry and slightly cooler temps to move in for Monday and Tuesday.

Temps Friday and Saturday will continue to push into the upper 60's along the ridgelines to the low 80's in the valleys, but we'll also deal with more clouds than sun and this will at least reduce how warm it feels outside. Pop up showers steal the show on Friday, followed by scattered thunderstorms Saturday (nothing severe expected at this time) but this all sounds like a washout or a day were we all stay inside, when its more like a summer time setup where some folks remain dry, while others pick up a quarter inch of rain. The best chance for showers will be late Saturday afternoon into the overnight hours as the upper level system pushes northeast, with a front trailing in its wake, one that should sweep the region clear of rain by the mid morning hours on Sunday (if not sooner). Overnight lows will settle into the mid 50's - low 60's with fog likely Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Sunday offers up a gradual clearing out of rain and clouds, with high clouds likely to linger well into the mid afternoon and this should have an affect on temps, capping them to the low 60's - upper 70's depending upon elevation. Temps Sunday night cool down to the mid 40's along the ridgelines to the low 50's across the valleys, all under clear skies.

Monday and Tuesday offer up sunny skies and temps pushing to the mid 60's - upper 70's, possibly low 80's on Tuesday. Overnight lows return to the low - upper 50's each night. By the middle of next week we expect enough moisture to return to allow pop up showers Wednesday, but we'll wait till our next forecast discussion comes out on Saturday afternoon to dive into any more detail.