Wednesday, May 18, 2011

summer volatility... (am.18.may.11)>

we have partly cloudy skies just before sunrise this morning, with a temp of 72.3F (22.4C).  despite the 8 hours of nearly continuous thunder, lightning and gusty winds yesterday afternoon and evening, we only managed 0.12" (3mm) of rain... most of that occurring between 4:30 and 5:00pm.  it really was a bizarre evening up here in mcleod... but just down the hill at the HPCA stadium in dharamsala, the IPL cricket match went on without interruption.

last evening's thunderstorms didn't do much to chase away the heat, judging by this morning's temperatures.  and it looks like it will remain very warm for another couple of days before a dramatic change in the overall weather pattern takes place.  there will still be a chance of an eruption of afternoon/evening thundershowers today and tomorrow... thanks to the growing instability and sheer thermodynamic energy in the atmosphere.  but, by friday, we'll add a rather vigorous upper-level disturbance to the mix, which will increase the probability of getting some substantial rainfall (instead of just thunder and wind).  still... we're lacking deep, rich moisture to work with, so we'll see what kind of rainfall amounts we can muster this weekend.

sunshine through haze/some clouds will still do the trick in boosting temps well into the 80sF (near 30C) today and tomorrow, but then we may actually dip below normal for this time of year... especially on saturday and sunday.

WEDNESDAY: a mix of haze, sun and clouds.  chance of a thundershower this afternoon.
high: 29C (85F)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: partly cloudy skies, with a risk of a thundershower.
low: 23C (73F)

THURSDAY: partly sunny, hazy and warm.  a period of thundershowers possible.
high: 29C (85F)

FRIDAY: partly cloudy with a chance of a few showers and thunderstorms around.
high: 28C (82F)

SATURDAY: partly to mostly cloudy skies, with a good chance of some showers and thunderstorms.  rather mild.
high: 26C (79F)

SUNDAY: still a chance of a thundershower or two... otherwise partly cloudy and pleasant.
high: 27C (80F)

MONDAY: sunny to partly cloudy and warming up again.
high: 28C (83F)