Drought shows no sign of improvements as sunshine filled weekend gets underway

Friday we bring in winds from the west-southwest as our high pressure dome pushes east. This helps push out the cooler air for something closer to seasonal averages. For our western counties the low 80s by the afternoon while our eastern mountains make a run for the mid to upper 70s. A nice improvement from the 60s we started the week with. As for the rain, Friday delivers none as drought conditions continue to get worse.

Friday night is looking comfortable no matter what you have planned. We’ll keep the 60s just past midnight before dropping back into the upper 50s. Southwest winds and a touch of humidity will keep us from falling back too far with the exception of the high terrain in the low 50s.

Saturday we bring the humidity and thermometers up as a nice warm up unfolds across the two-Virginia’s. Highs in the low to mid 80s under mostly sunny skies really give us that summer feel we’ve missed out on so often this year. A few extra clouds in the afternoon as an upper level system pushes across the northern Great Lakes. Too far away to see rain from, but a few puffy white clouds to dot the otherwise blue skies.

Saturday evening with the few wispy clouds we’ll have left, a beautiful sunset for us to watch. Temps remain in the 60s well past midnight with many only just flirting with the upper 50s by the predawn hours. Overall, a cool and comfortable overnight.

Sunday a few more clouds in the mix but nothing that will hurt temps or bring any relief to the drought as rain is not expected. Highs push into the mid 80s with a few spots west of Beckley making a solid run at the upper 80s. What a change from the beginning of the week! The touch more humidity with dew points rising into the 50s and low 60s will certainly give us that summer feel. Into the night temps drop back into the low 60s.

Monday the warm up continues with many reaching the 70s by mid-morning. With mostly sunny skies, we’ll reach for the mid and upper 80s with our mountains trying for the low 80s. Still no rain to speak off but a few extra clouds heading into the afternoon than previous days. Our next system tries to get its act together for a Tuesday arrival.

Tuesday starts with sun & clouds with temps warming up steadily into the mid and upper 80s by the afternoon. An upper level system is expected to cross the region so expect clouds to thicken as the afternoon marches on into our evening hours. Highly scattered showers with imbedded thunderstorms will bring much needed rain but not in an amount that will help. With our compacted dry grounds, heavy downpours will need to be monitored for runoff issues leading to flash flooding. Of course, it’ll be a day most stay dry so don’t expect much out of this system. A better chance unfolds for Wednesday.

Wednesday a cold front is expected to bring a few scattered showers from time to time. Not enough rain to help ease the last weeks dry spell but something to add to the rain gauge. A rumble of thunder in the afternoon is possible with isolated heavy downpours. Highs push the 90 degree mark for many west of the turnpike (I-77). With our ground compact and dry, rushing runoff leading to pooling on roads can happen quickly which will be something to watch while traveling for the evening commute.

Thursday partly sunny skies gives us a few hours of sunshine helping temps warm up into the mid and upper 80s. A few afternoon pop-up showers likely, but again, several counties remain dry most of the day.

In your extended forecast, despite the rain chances climbing, rivers, water tables, and ground surfaces are still going to be dry. The impacts of the drought will certainly begin to be felt by a wider audience until beneficial rain totals start moving through. With September, October, and November typically our driest months of the year by average, it’ll be a rough fall season ahead.

FRIDAY
Sunshine & warmer! Highs in the low 80s.
SATURDAY
Feeling like August, Sun & Clouds. Highs in the low to mid 80s.
SUNDAY
Mild & humid. Sun & clouds. Highs in the mid 80s.
MONDAY
Dry start, increasing clouds. Iso. shower PM. Highs in the mid to upper 80s.
TUESDAY
Sct. showers PM, mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid to upper 80s.
WEDNESDAY
AM Showers, sun & clouds PM. Highs in the upper 80s / near 90 west.
THURSDAY
Mostly sunny, Iso. PM Shower. Highs in the upper 80s.
FRIDAY
AM sprinkles fade, sunshine returns slowly. Highs in the 80s.
SATURDAY
Sct. Showers, some dry time. Highs in the mid 80s
SUNDAY
Sct. Showers, PM rumbles. Highs in the 80s.

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