Summer Has Returned

Sunday, August 3rd 2014, 7:25 pm

By: News On 6

After another hiatus from the heat, the temperatures are climbing yet again. It’s not exactly another heat wave, but those readings are finally near seasonal norms and will remain at that level for much of the week to come.

                The troughing in the jet stream to our east is finally relaxing as the jet stream retreats further north. This allows high pressure and heat to slowly expand into our region in the coming days. By early August standards, this is nothing serious. The even better news is that our dewpoints should hang just below 70°. While it may be feeling a bit muggy, there isn’t going to be enough moisture in the air for widespread triple-digit heat index values.

                Our high temperatures will plateau midweek as a few ripples in the jet stream (still well to our north) send a weak cold front closer to our region. It will be close enough to spark a few showers and storms as early as Thursday. The computer models are delaying the actual passage of that front until the weekend when a stronger piece of energy riding through the jet stream gives it a bigger push.

                That brings us to a new weather pattern at the end of our forecast period into next week. It’s hard to get much of a cold front into Oklahoma this time of year so there are no guarantees this pattern will hold. However, the way our summer has gone, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the energized jet stream will take that familiar dip into the Great Lakes area, allowing the nudge of cooler air to settle in yet again. The first map shows the first waves that may affect our area.

                With the cooler air potential by next weekend comes the chance of wetter-than-normal conditions. Rain is fleeting this time of year, but if a frontal boundary can stall out in our area (much like last week), we could end up with another few days of wet weather. Anything to hold back the drought is good news to me! Speaking of the drought, we’ll be able to see the full effect of last week’s rainfall in this Thursday’s new Drought Monitor. Hopefully the improvements will continue!

                We’re also heading into the heart of the Tropical Season. We have a Tropical Storm moving through the Bahamas, but the steering winds will send it well off the eastern seaboard. Therefore, Bertha, will not grace her presence in the U.S. this time around. There are no other Tropical Waves in a position to develop into anything anytime soon.

                So, enjoy a rare normal week in our summer and we’ll keep you apprised to our next bout of cooler, wetter weather as it approaches! Be sure to follow me on Twitter: @GroganontheGO and like my Facebook page!