Tropical Storm Hone, honing in on Hawaii, Severe weather risks rise Ohio to Virginia to Maine

The weekend which is the last weekend before the Labor Day holiday weekend (which is next weekend) is a reminder that summer is winding down so we should take advantage of the nice weather while we have it. This past week has been one of low humidity and cool temperatures. We will be slowly losing both of those this weekend but it will still be rather nice. Today is a day of lots of sunshine and high temperatures will reach into the lower 80s in most locations. Humidity levels are reasonable and should remain so today with dew points in the mid to upper 50s. No rain is forecast anywhere and radars are in silent mode.

Photo byNational Weather Service

We will continue with nice weather conditions overnight though some patchy fog could develop which is typical of the lengthening August nights. Lows will be in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Sunday we should see sunny skies for most of the day as high pressure is offshore and a weak upper trough approaches from the northwest. Highs Sunday will be in the low to mid 80s. Humidity levels will inch higher but still not unreasonable.

Photo byNational Weather Service

Sunday night into Monday a weak upper trough could set off an isolated shower or thunderstorm as we transition to a more humid air mass Monday. Then we have an approaching strong trough later Monday afternoon and this opens the door for thunderstorms and the risk for severe weather. The Storm Prediction Center indicates the risk for isolated severe thunderstorms over a large area extending from the Ohio Valley to the Mid Atlantic and Northeast.

Photo bystorm prediction center

Ahead of any thunderstorms it will be a very warm and humid day with cloudy to partly sunny skies. High temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80s and it will be uncomfortable with dew points rising to near 70. Late in the day showers and thunderstorms will be moving in and moving out. This is not the kind of set up that can result in serious widespread flash flooding like we saw at this time last weekend. Much of next week will be very warm and humid with highs in the 80s. There will be some thunderstorm risk along the way. After Monday the next chance for showers and thunderstorms will be later Wednesday and Wednesday night and this could be another situation where we will be dealing with severe weather risk.

THE TROPICS ARE ACTIVE IN THE EASTERN & CENTRAL PACIFIC

Photo byNational Hurricane Center

The tropics in the Atlantic are very quiet but this is not the case in the Eastern and Central Pacfic. On the far right we have a system that will likely develop into a tropical storm early next week. To the left of that we have Hurricane Gilma which is moving slowly along to the west northwest. On the left we have Tropical Storm Hone and it is getting close to the Hawaiian islands.

Photo byNational Hurricane Center

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii where the risk will be gusty winds and heavy rains. The track of Hone will be to the south of Hawaii by less than 100 miles. It is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane tonight or Sunday as it continues westward. The islands to the west of the big island will see less in the way of any impact. Rough surf and gale force winds along and off the coast will likely be the biggest risks for the remaining islands.