Another springlike day across the area, rain chances increase by Tuesday evening....

What a gorgeous start to the week as conditions across the area have warmed up nicely giving a nice spring feel across the region with highs in the low-mid 70's.  Mostly sunny skies have dominated the area as some fair weather cumulus clouds have developed.  Skies should remain mostly clear through the evening hours as those cumulus clouds should eventually dissipate leaving clear skies for tonight.  Lows tonight will be rather mild compared to what we experienced over the weekend, with generally mid and upper 40's expected.

Surface high pressure has dominated much of the region since the weekend and is currently positioned just to our east.  Eventually the high pressure will work towards the east as another cold front will begin to approach our area from the northwest.  By Tuesday afternoon, the cold front will be stretched from the Great Lakes region southwestward, towards parts of northeast Texas, and approaching the lower Ohio Valley.  Conditions across the area will be relatively warm with strong southerly winds from the southwest as breezy/warm conditions will prevail for your Tuesday.  The cold front will continue to track towards the east and will cross the area Tuesday night bringing a chance for rain and scattered thunderstorms.  Most convection should remain post frontal, so the likelihood of severe weather looks grim.  Main threats continue to be gusty winds with a moderate rainfall event with amounts of 0.5-1.0 inch area wide Tuesday night/Wednesday.

NOAA/WPC QPF (Valid 00z Wednesday - 00z Thursday). Expected precipitation amounts.

This cold front will push through late Wednesday morning which could dampen your morning class/work commute.  Be sure to keep the umbrella handy as you head out the door Wednesday morning as the chance for rain showers will be possible.  As the cold front works through the region, temperatures are expected to temporarily cool off with chilly highs struggling to reach the 60 degree mark on Wednesday.

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Forecast Outlook:

Tuesday night:  Cloudy, Low 51º. South winds expected around 10-15 mph, becoming west after midnight with a 90% chance for precipitation. Rainfall amounts expected between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. 

Wednesday: Cloudy, High near 60º.  Northwest winds expected around 5-10 mph.  80% chance for precipitation   Rainfall amounts expected between a quarter and half of an inch.  

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, Low 51º.  Northwest winds expected around 5-7 mph becoming calm after midnight.


Forecaster: Chris Johnson