Weather warning: Strong storms are developing this afternoon and evening

QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: PM storms, high strength 78
• Tonight: Thunderstorms, low 63
• Wednesday: Increasing clouds, late thunderstorms, high 82
• Thursday: Heavy showers, windy, high 76
• Friday: Scattered showers, high temperature 63
• Saturday: Patchy showers, high 67

FORECAST discussion:

Happy Tuesday!

We’re starting the day dry, with temperatures rising to over 70 degrees this afternoon. We will then see isolated showers and thunderstorms from about the afternoon into the evening. The main period during which we will monitor for strong to severe storms will be between approximately 3:00 p.m. and midnight, with the threat expected to be greatest between approximately 6:00 p.m. and midnight.

The Storm Prediction Center puts the risk of severe storms at 3 out of 5 across much of our area, with damaging winds and large hail posing the greatest threat, but some tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Storm activity will taper off overnight, then Wednesday will be dry for most of the day, with highs in the low 80s. Further storms will then arrive on Wednesday evening and overnight into Thursday morning, when there is a renewed threat of severe weather. However, this time the threat is slightly lower, largely due to the timing of the system’s arrival.

This time, the southern portions of our area have a 2 out of 5 risk of severe storms, according to the SPC.

Showers will continue into Thursday morning before becoming lighter and a bit more patchy in the afternoon. Highs will fall back into the mid 70s with a strong breeze.

We’ll only see scattered shower activity through Friday, with highs falling back into the lower 60s.

We’ll expect some spotty showers to start the weekend, but it doesn’t look like it will be a washout. Highs will be in the upper 60s both weekend days.

-McKenna