5/18 – Rob’s Friday Afternoon/Weekend Forecast

A mid/upper level trough positioned across the lower/mid-Mississippi Valley region and the central Gulf Coast will pull off to the northeast and weaken through Saturday as weak high-pressure aloft builds into the region during the course of the weekend. Upper level northwest flow over the area today will become more westerly on Saturday and then west-southwest on Sunday.

Lower rain chances are expected over the weekend, especially Saturday, with stronger ridging aloft over the region. Temperatures will continue to run above normal, in the upper 80s to low 90s.

Weakening of the upper ridge across the Gulf Coast region next week along higher moisture content air will lead to an overall better chance for daily convection next work week and will be typical of a summertime weather pattern. High temperatures are expected to be a bit lower next week, but still above normal.