Hot once again today, fire danger high, dry thunderstorms to the east
The threat for dry lightning is now being discussed by the meteorological community as moisture is moving around the periphery of the large dome of high pressure that brought us the heat. There will be some clouds and moisture added to the region over the next 24 to 36 hours. This moisture in the upper levels of the atmosphere will do little to relieve the heat, but we may see some isolated showers or storms develop.
The air at the surface is very dry so any rain that falls will evaporate well before reaching the surface. If there is enough movement of the molecules to generate static electricity, or lightning, it will be “dry” lightning. In other words, lightning with no rain. Very bad for our region at this time, due to the dry fuel on the ground. If a lightning strike starts a fire this weekend it will spread rapidly.
Highs today will be around 100° and the middle to upper 90s on Sunday. The wind will be light, but gusty at times for the next few days. It will not be too robust, but enough for us to be concerned about smoke transportation and wildfire growth.
Little change in the overall pattern is expected as we head into next week. The chance for showers ends on Sunday evening. Our run of above normal temperatures continues for at least one more week, probably longer.
The long stretch of high heat has taken a tool on the vegetation and has started to deplete the water resources in the area. The melting snow is now evaporating rather than soaking into the soil, and the moisture in the soil from earlier snow melt is evaporating quickly as well. Currently in the Moderate Drought category east of 97, and it doesn’t look to improve anytime soon.
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