All eyes are on the tropics….We’ve enjoyed some great weather this week, full of sunshine and warm temperatures. However, all good things must come to an end, and we can blame the tropics for that.
First, as we move through this Thursday evening, expect another warm night across Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina. Low temperatures will be in the mid 60s under mostly clear skies.
On Friday, the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend, we’ll see more sunshine with a few patchy clouds. A stray pop-up shower or storm is possible, but it will be the exception and not the rule. High temperatures will be in the mid 80s.
We’ll see decent weather for most of Saturday as well, under a mix of sun and clouds. High temperatures will warm into the lower 80s. However, things will begin to change late in the day for our southern communities in North Carolina, all ahead of what is brewing in the tropics.
We are keeping a close eye on an area of low pressure that is churning between the Bahamas and Bermuda. This low will move northwest toward the southeast coast. Right now, environmental conditions are looking favorable for the low to develop into a tropical system. Regardless, whether or not this low is named, as it approaches the southeast coast (near the Carolinas) and moves inland over the weekend, we will see some effects from it. What effects? Scattered showers and storms are in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. No day looks like a washout for now. And with some lingering moisture around, we will likely see some storms on Tuesday as well. Also, keep in mind that our threat for rip currents at the beach will likely go up through the holiday weekend. High temperatures will be in the upper 70s and lower 80s from Sunday into early next week.
Tonight: Mostly Clear and Mild. Low temperatures in the mid 60s. Winds: S 5-10 mph.
Friday: Sun and Clouds. Warm and Breezy. High temperatures in the mid 80s. Winds: S/SW 10-15 mph.
Saturday: Sun and Clouds. Warm and Humid. High temperatures in the lower 80s. Winds: E 5-10 mph.
Weather & Health for Friday
Pollen: Moderate (Grasses, Oak, Birch)
UV Index: 9 (Very High)
Air Quality: Moderate (Code Yellow)
Mosquitoes: High to Very High
Tropical Update
We are tracking an area of low pressure centered between Bermuda and the Bahamas. Shower activity associated with the low has become somewhat better organized since Wednesday, and the circulation of the low has become a little better defined. Environmental conditions are expected to be generally conducive for a tropical or subtropical cyclone to form on Friday or Saturday while this system moves west-northwestward or northwestward toward the southeastern United States coast. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the low on Friday afternoon.
Formation chance through 48 hours: Medium (80%)
Formation chance through 5 days: High (80%)
Today in Weather History (NWS Wakefield)
2004 F1 Tornado: Lancaster Co
Dominic Brown
First Warning Meteorologist
WTKR-TV News 3
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