Monday, May 16, 2011

peaking... (pm.16.may.11)>

today has probably been the haziest day of the season, and also the warmest.  about an hour before sunset, we have hazy sunshine, a few clouds over the mountains, and the temp slowly dropping from an afternoon high of 86.5F (30.3C).  according to my records, this is the first 30C+ temp of the year.

the clouds tried hard to build over the mountains this afternoon, but it is now so warm in the upper atmosphere, that there just isn't enough instability to fire up much thundershower activity.  still... the satellite view this evening shows evidence of some isolated convection over the higher peaks from kashmir and himachal into uttar anchal.  today the haze really thickened up... it was really bad for most of the afternoon, restricting the visibility in all directions.  this is typical during this kind of weather pattern, as dust, smoke and other pollutants are virtually trapped.  at this point, the only solution to the problem is rain.

...and speaking of rain... the chances will remain slim for another day or two.  however, by the latter part of the week, our giant dome of high pressure is going to collapse, thanks to much colder air filtering in aloft.  this scenario will increase our shower and thunderstorm potential day by day.  in fact, by late friday and saturday, we stand a good chance to get some significant rainfall, and perhaps a  period of rowdy thunderstorms.  in the meantime, the heat is on...

MONDAY NIGHT: fair to partly cloudy and warm.
low: 23C (73F)

TUESDAY: very warm again... with hazy sunshine and a few clouds.
high: 31C (88F)

WEDNESDAY: partly sunny and hazy, with a shower or thundershower possible.
high: 31C (87F)

THURSDAY: a mix of hazy sunshine and clouds, with a risk of a thundershower.
high: 29C (85F)

FRIDAY: haze, sun and clouds.  chance of a shower or thunderstorm.  not as warm.
high: 28C (82F)

SATURDAY: partly to mostly cloudy, with a good chance of some showers and thunderstorms in the area.
high: 27C (80F)