MSU Storm Chase Class

Saturday, July 11, 2009

HEAT & PERIODS OF SHOWERS AND STORMS


The northwest flow aloft has been a blessing in ways because it has allowed disturbances to move in which has kept temperatures down. The unsettled pattern is expected to continue through Monday. Where the sun shines the most, temperatures will easily soar into the middle and upper 90s. That kind of heat combined with the humidity in place will make it feel like it's in the lower 100's. We'll remain on the periphery of the heat wave the rest of this weekend! The hottest air is set to move in early in the week before a front moves through on Wednesday and cools us down. Storms that pop up have the potential to become severe, especially tomorrow afternoon across the northeastern half of the Ozarks. Wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter size hail are the main threats. It appears that the Ozarks will stand a better chance of nocturnal rather than diurnal convection both tonight and tomorrow night due to the low level jet kicking in. The low level jet helps to transport warm and moist air northward and creates an unstable atmosphere at night.