Friday evening update:
It was the third day this week with a high of 82 in Augusta. We had upper 70s through low 80s across the CSRA with overcast skies, and only a few sprinkles. The first week of August came in 2nd place for the coolest first week of August on record. Our average temp (including highs and lows was 75.4 degrees). The year 1912 is in first place as 75.3 degrees. We could potentially end up having one of the coolest months on record!
Tonight, expect the clouds to stick around, keeping things mild in the upper 60s. The wedge will start to weaken Saturday as winds shift and a low offshore moves north. This change will pull in warmer, more humid air, but we’ll still be cooler than normal for August. Most spots will stay in the 80s with mostly cloudy skies. The extra moisture could help trigger a few showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, especially south of I-20.
By Sunday, that offshore low moves away, opening the door for deep moisture to surge into the Southeast. That means rain chances ramp up – especially Sunday afternoon and into Monday. Rain totals this weekend will vary from a quarter of an inch to around two inches…with the highest amounts in our southern counties.
By mid to late week, high pressure builds overhead, and we settle into a more “August-like” pattern with warmer, muggy afternoons with the usual scattered pop-up showers and storms. It still won’t be too hot though, as highs are expected to stay in the upper 80s to low 90s…still slightly below average! I am not seeing any signs of a heat wave over the extended period.
We have a new area to watch in the tropics… A wave off the coast of Africa currently has a 20% chance of tropical development over the next week as it slowly moves northwest across the Atlantic. Models are indicating that this will likely become our next named storm, Erin. There is still a lot of uncertainty on exactly where it will turn, but as of now, there is a good chance that it will stay offshore in the Atlantic. We will be watching this closely late next week.
WEATHER KID OF THE WEEK:
Meet 6-year-old Lily from Evans! Not only does Lily love the weather, but she also loves fashion! She would love to be a broadcast meteorologist one day so she can dress up for work and take advantage of her outgoing personality!
