Scattered showers and storms this afternoon and evening

Current Surface Map
Warm and humid air continues to build into the region, setting the stage and allowing for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop this afternoon. Skies are expected to clear this afternoon, allowing temperatures to warm to near 80 and enhancing the instability in the atmosphere.

It appears that there will be enough instability for some of these storms to become severe, with damaging winds and hail.

SPC Day 1 Outlook
Here is an excerpt from the Storm Prediction Center:

Wednesday, May 2, 2012Posted inForecast

Warming up

Current Surface Map
An area of low pressure is moving by to the north, dragging a warm front through the state today, followed by a weak cold frontal passage later this afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible with these two features. Highs today will push into the upper 70s to near 80.

High pressure off the coast will pump warm and humid air into the region tomorrow, setting the stage for more scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs will be in the mid 70s.

A backdoor cold front will approach Wednesday night and Thursday. This will enhance an easterly flow and cause areas along the Bay to cool. Highs Thursday will be near 70 along and east of the Bay and will rise into the 80s west of I-95. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible again Thursday afternoon.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012Posted inForecast