2/9 – The Chief’s “Wet Start” Friday-Eve Morning Forecast

The upper system is quickly lifting northeastward through Missouri toward the Great Lakes, with the next disturbance quickly on its heels moving through the northern Rockies. Line of prefrontal convection has moved eastward into Alabama and our eastern coastal waters. Spotty rain will continue through mid/late morning under cloudy skies.

With the upper trough and surface low moving north-northeast, the front won’t make a lot more progress eastward today. Drier air will move into western portions of the area, but some question as to how much eastward progress it makes. Forecast moisture flow values will show quite a range across the area, with far east and southeast areas with the greatest values. The system over the Rockies is going to take its good old time getting here, extending from Missouri into Texas late Friday. Some possibility that the stationary front even gets pulled back to the west a bit as the trough digs. West of the front, areas should remain dry, but showers will be possible near and to the east of the front through Friday. Rain amounts should be fairly light, less than 0.25 inch for any 12 hour period.

Models are in pretty good agreement closing off an upper low over Louisiana Saturday, moving it to Georgia on Sunday and off the East Coast Monday. That will make for a cold and cloudy day Saturday with patchy light rain or drizzle. Expect drier air on Sunday, but not much warmer.