Much Needed Rain On The Way

After the areas of morning fog finish lifting out today we will be left with a mostly cloudy sky, though you may see a few breaks. Highs will be 70-75. A few showers and scattered areas of rain, out ahead of the main band of rain from the next system will affect the area tonight, along with breezy conditions. The frontal system that will bring the much needed rain to the area (BDL is almost 4.00" below average for rainfall since Sept.1), stretches from Lower Michigan to Indiana & Kentucky,, then down into the Florida Panhandle and Gulf of Mexico this morning. Because there is a meridional steering flow aloft (south to north), this frontal system will move very slowly east. There will be showers around at times Tuesday, and maybe some heavier rain into western areas by later in the day. Southeast to south wind will increase to 15-25 mph, with gusts to 35+ mph Tuesday into Tuesday night. We will have to be on guard for the potential for damaging wind gusts of 50+ mph, should any downpours or t-storms drag down some wind from the low level jet stream, which will bringing wind speeds of 60+ mph in just 2500-3000 feet above the ground (see image above).

Tuesday night will be rainy & windy with the chance for a t-storm. The rain & wind will slowly end from west to east during the day Wednesday. Total rainfall of 1"-3", with the potential for locally higher amounts is expected. The high temperature early Wednesday will be near 70, however the temperature will drop into the 50's during the day, after the front passes. Thursday, Friday & Saturday look dry with highs in the low-mid 60's.