Monday, June 18, 2007

Is there rain in our future?

Yes and no. Yes there is a pretty good chance of rain tomorrow (Tuesday), but no, it will not be enough to put a dent in our drought conditions. Then we will return to hot and dry conditions for the rest of the week.

Drought status: North Alabama and parts of Southern Middle Tennessee continue in exceptional drought conditions. This is the worst category (D4) of drought conditions according to the US Drought Monitor. According to the NWS Huntsville, as of June 13, Huntsville has received only 10.91" of rain thus far in 2007, which is 17.91" below normal. So far in May and the first half of June, Huntsville has received only 1.17" of rain. This will be the driest May and June on record if we do not receive at least .83" by the end of this month.

Forecast: Tonight a short wave will approach Alabama with an associated front. This feature, combined with increasing low level moisture will give Alabama a very good chance for rain on Tuesday. Average rainfall amounts will be on the order of one-half of an inch. Some areas may receive more. While this will be a welcome sight to Alabamians, it will not be enough to make much difference in our drought. Conditions will become dry and hot again Wednesday through the end of the week.

Here comes the heat! Yesterday's highs included 98 at Muscle Shoals and 97 in Huntsville. According to the NWS Huntsville these were the warmest temperatures recorded so early in the year since 1985. With the dry regime we are under, I am expecting hotter than normal temperatures over the next month. I would not be surprised at all if we are consistently in the mid to upper 90's. 100 degree temperatures are not out of the question this summer.

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