07/31/12 7:48 AM
A coastal low pressure system along the Virginia coast will transport a marine air mass from the Atlantic Ocean today. With winds from the east at 5 to 10 mph, variable cloud cover can be expected with clearing skies further over the interior. Isolated to widely scattered showers can be expected, especially along the coast. These showers will be capable of very heavy downpours. Temperatures will rise into the upper 70′s to mid 80′s for highs.
A cold front will approach from the Great Lakes with scattered showers and strong to isolated severe thunderstorms tonight on through tomorrow. The thunderstorms will be capable of very heavy downpours, occasional to frequent lightning, and wind gusts over 40 mph. Winds will back from the east to the southwest at 5 to 15 mph. Temperatures will range from the mid 60′s to lower 70′s for lows and mid to upper 80′s for highs.
A more tropical air mass will take hold by Wednesday night and remain in place through early next week. A series of disturbances will move through the region with scattered showers and strong to severe thunderstorms. The thunderstorms will be capable of very heavy downpours, wind gusts over 50 mph, frequent lightning, and large hail. The thunderstorms will also be capable of localized flash flooding. I don’t expect a wash out through this weekend, just a constant threat for thunderstorms anywhere at anytime. Very humid conditions will return as well with fog potentially developing in the morning. Temperatures will range from the upper 60′s to mid 70′s for lows and mid 80′s to lower 90′s for highs.
