1/30 – The Chief’s “DENSE FOG” Monday Morning Forecast

Currently there is an area of high pressure over western Cuba, and a trough extending from the Great Lakes to the central California coast are combining to produce southwesterly mid level flow across the area. As disturbances ride along this flow, they trigger periods of showers and isolated thunderstorms. One such area is departing our region at this time and areal coverage of precipitation has decreased considerably since midnight. A cold front was still well to the north of the area, north of the Arkansas-Louisiana border region. A warm/stationary front is probably close to Interstate 10 early this morning. Some observation site are reporting visibility below 1/2 mile this morning, and we’ll leave our Dense Fog Advisories (land based and marine) in place this morning.

Our frontal boundary isn’t going much of anywhere over the next 24-36 hours. Not expecting much in the way of sunshine today or Tuesday, but still could get some isolated to scattered showers or storms. Tuesday night through Wednesday night is pretty much a repeat of the next 36 hours, with any frontal boundary remaining north of Interstate 10. Precipitation for that time period should be very limited in areal extent. A larger disturbance will move across the area on Thursday and Thursday night. Showers and thunderstorms will accompany this front. Potential exists for heavy rain and strong to severe storms, so stay tuned.

Once the front passes to the east Thursday night, somewhat cooler and drier weather returns for at least Friday and Saturday, before rebounding to above normal levels again. A light freeze would be possible Saturday morning, mainly in those areas that tend to get cooler than their surrounding neighbors.