09/18 Ryan’s “Last Week of Summer” Monday Forecast

So begins the last week of Summer! South Mississippi enjoyed some unseasonable weather over the last few weeks, but the heat, humidity, and afternoon showers of Summer have returned. Today’s high climbed into the lower 90s, and the heat index rose into the triple digits, but we had enough cloud cover and showers providing enough shade to make it manageable. The temperature and humidity change very little over the next week, but we will see some slight cooling and drying by Monday. Short-term rain chances are highest on Friday, but only at around 40%.

Hurricane Jose appears as if it will stay off of the East Coast, but is moving close enough to warrant some Tropical Storm Watch/Warnings for the coastline from Connecticut to Massachusetts. This storm will remain over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream for a few more days, so shouldn’t weaken until then but will be highly sheared. Residents from Delaware to Maine should expect some higher tide swells and strong rip currents as it passes.

Hurricane Maria became a Category 4 storm this afternoon, and seem to be following a path similar to Irma’s, but will turn North before entering the Bahamas. The eye of this rapidly strengthening storm should pass directly over Puerto Rico by Wednesday afternoon, and it may even intensify into a Category 5 storm before then. Hurricane warnings have already been issued for Puerto Rico, and residents are encouraged to evacuate.