As Advertised...Your Forecast Discussion

Good Afternoon!

Sunshine with some clouds around the area right now, and that trend will change over the next several hours, with showers and storms moving into the area and much cooler temperatures as an upper-level trough allows cool air from north of the border to filter in.  Let's pop the hood...

TEMPERATURES:  We'll see temperatures start to cool in the next day or so, and once we get into the rain, we'll see temperatures that won't make it out of the 70's for a couple of days.  Northerly breezes and variably cloudy skies will be on tap for us to start the weekend.  Those sub 80 readings should persist into next week as well.

RAIN:  The National Weather Service is expecting us to pick up well over an inch of rain the next five days, and based on what's coming down the pike, that doesn't look as far-fetched as I figured it would be early in the week.  That being said, summertime rain is always a hit or miss proposition, with some areas picking up barely anything, and other areas getting a good soaking or more.  Here's a look at the map...

5 Day Precipitation Forecast

There you see most of lower Michigan picking up at least an inch according to the forecast.  The bulk of this rain should come in the next two days, as all indications are that we'll see rain for the better part of Thursday into Friday.

SPC Day 2 Forecast

SEVERE WEATHER:  The Storm Prediction Center has us just under the general risk for plain vanilla thunderstorms today, but then for tomorrow, a "slight" risk has been tossed into the mix.  If you look at how the risk area is drawn, anything that does go severe at this point will be primarily a south zone issue according to the forecast maps.  Here's a look at the graphic with SPC's Day 2 forecast:

We'll have to keep an eye on this one, as there's a 30% risk area within that larger "slight" bubble, and that stops just south of the Michigan/Indiana border.  As it stands now, SPC thinks that the best threat is from damaging gusty winds.

Visible Satellite Image

In the satellite image on the right, you can see the storm system spinning off to the west southwest, slowly bringing clouds into the area as the afternoon and evening progresses.

We should start seeing some showers and storms after 11PM tonight, there is already rain in those clouds over Illinois and Wisconsin.

There's your forecast discussion for the day!  I should have an update for your later this evening!  Blessings.