Monday, July 22: Summer heat creeps back in

Good Monday evening! What a nice summer pattern we’ve been in. Yes, we’ve seen more clouds and even some showers recently, but temperatures continue to run well below normal. At this stage, temperatures are running about 2° below normal for the month. If we keep that up, this will be the coolest July since 2014. The pattern certainly supports that likelihood, but temperatures will be developing a more summerlike feel.

A persistent trough in the middle of the country is the key to our mild pattern. It’s also generating some spotty shower and thunderstorm chances.

For tonight, we’ll find spotty showers to the south and dry conditions to the north. This will hold into Tuesday as well with temperatures getting a little warmer than in recent days.

The warming trend will continue into Wednesday with most areas remaining dry.

Rain chances will perk up again Thursday as a weak front dips into the area. Look for warm and steamy conditions with widely scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms.

The Ozarks Empire Fair kicks off Thursday, and we may have to dodge some rain late in the afternoon. This shouldn’t rain out the first evening though.

This is a pattern we’ll find more of over the weekend. The middle of the country will be sandwiched between summer ridges. This weak spot in the pattern will make for a corridor of unsettled weather in the region. This won’t make for a washout any day, but it will help generate some cloud cover along with widely scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Friday and Saturday looks a bit cloudier and a little more mild before hotter temperatures build in Sunday and Monday. Monday may be the first day since July 16th with most areas hitting 90°. The pattern that follows looks to support more opportunities for hotter temperatures as we end July and head into August.

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