Tuesday forecast for October 26, 2010

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Today: High of 86 with thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Some storms could be severe. Winds earlier on today from the southwest at 15 to 20mph. Gusting to 40mph at times.

Tonight: Thunderstorms and showers through the afternoon with a low of 64. Winds southwest at 5mph.

~Starkville, MS

Currently

A good Tuesday afternoon to you all. A lovely day thus far as temperatures are in the mid 80's with cloudy conditions outside. With lots of clouds in the sky along with windy conditions, it makes for a rather pleasant but breezy day. However, this breezy condition is only a signifer of weather conditions ahead.

What's Happening Atmospherically

Currently, we have a tornado watch and a wind advisory out for a central region. If you have been outside at any moment, you know that it is very windy. Southwest winds will be between 15 to 20mph and even gusting at times to 30 or 40mph. This is due to an approaching cold front but as it begans to move farther east, we will see winds decrease and get lighter. The advisory will be in effect until 4pm. Usually wind advisories are issued when winds are greater than 35mph. A tornado watch has also been issued by the Storm Prediction Center and is in effect until 7pm. This watch includes most of the northern and central counties. We have a squall line which is going to drag through into the Southern region bringing excess rain, strong winds, and a possible tornado. I expect the severe weather to begin in the mid to later afternoon hours. With moist and unstable conditions developing ahead of this cold front, it really sets us up for a stormy afternoon. At 300mb, a strong jet stream is pushing through and so we will have strong upper level winds with a combination of WAA(warm air advection) at the 850mb level. All of these elements will combine for a strong to pass by. Your heavier rainfall will stay to the north of us with some seeing rainfall total between a quarter and even three quarters of an inch. This is much needed rain especially with this dry spell that has incurred over the fall season.

Today

A windy and breezy setup for the first part of the day. Thunderstorms should start to break out in the mid to late afternoon hours. If you traveling from work or school, be safe as conditions will be filled with heavy rain and strong winds. Also, be sure to stay updated with your local weather station for any severe breakout. Temperatures will soon start to drop very fast as the rain approaches. Expecting highs to stay only in the mid 80s with winds from the southwest at 15 to 20mph.

Tonight

Rain will continue throughout the night and into Wednesday morning. Temperatures hovering around mid 60s with overcast conditions. Winds will be lighter decreasing to about 5mph from the southwest.

Wednesday outlook

Look for rain to still be in our forecast in the early mornings of Wednesday. It might be a good idea to have the umbrella in hand as you head off for work or school. Weather conditions will begin to clear by Wednesday afternoon. By Thursday, our temperatures should be back to around normal for this time of month. This is it for your Face of the Sky forecast and God bless!