ICAP Weather Commentary
Tuesday July 8, 2008
Prepared by: Andy Weingarten, Meteorologist ICAP Energy
***Western heat to ease later in the week. Ridge to resettle more over the central and eastern states.***
Bertha has exploded now to a Category 3 storm making her one of the strongest July hurricanes in record. This is a function of the warm waters in the Atlantic north of the main tropical development region and not necessarily a predictor of what is to come. The stronger storm has grown vertically to the point where it is now heading NW as I expected since inception it would do. The result is a storm for the fish and fun to look at.
Very hot and smoky air resides over Northern California where the interior could see a few records through tomorrow around 110 degrees. The heat ridge is of rather small scale though. While much of the northern US is above normal, it is only by a few degrees and by mid summer standards no big issue. Farther south, it is just a normal mid summer pattern and in the SW where some moisture has pooled one could argue it is a little cool. Showers and storms are scattered along a front from Michigan to New Mexico this morning . By Friday this front will run from the NE back into the Central Plains with another one on its heels for the weekend. They are weak, but keeping the wet season going and temperatures from getting too warm.
Day 6-10 discussion:
There are signs of a ridge redeveloping more over the central and eastern states. But, it does not appear to be anything too strong. The GFS certainly does not think so with a number of below normal days on its panels. I don't agree it gets that cool, but near or a little above Mid July normal seems reasonable meaning a lot of 80s and 90s for highs 60's and 70s for lows. Rain may abate a little, but it still does not go bone dry. The summer rainy season appears to be in phase now over the SW and may slowly spread westward. It is not showing much of a push north though and the NW remains dry.
Andy Weingarten, Meteorologist
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