Today’s official high temperature was 97 and the high heat index was 106.
The global GFS overshot the temperature forecast. The mesoscale models (NAM, WRF, HIREF) did better with the temperatures but over-forecast the pop-up showers in a big way.
Tonight’s models, just becoming available, are predicting a hotter day on Sunday than Saturday. Highs are coming in at 98-100. Thunderstorms move in from the northwest after 8PM Sunday evening.
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from last night…
Most of my thoughts about this weekend’s weather can be found in my earlier post today.
Basically, an upper weak trough may cause some cloudiness Saturday afternoon possibly reducing the the achievable high temperature to the mid to upper 90s. It will still be very humid.
The most recent EKDMOS statistics (GFS model-based) still show a high of 100 for Philadelphia and the NAM and GFS MOS show a high of 98. Tonight’s WRF model versions show a range of 96-98.
A similar scenario is expected on Sunday with some afternoon clouds and some late thunderstorms more likely.
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The latest GFS model is back to showing high temps above 100 in some areas.
The heat wave for this weekend has been well-advertised with TV sensationalism approaching that of a major calamity.
That said, there likely won’t be record-breaking high temperatures and many (but not all) of the models have backed off slightly from their prediction of the high temperatures reaching 100 or more. Most of the recent models keep us in the 97-99 range.
Of course, with the TV outlets obfuscating the reporting of the expected heat index with expected temperature, it’s hard to know what to really expect. I heard on last’s night’s TV forecast that it will feel like “a rain forest” here due to high dew points. Keep in mind that the dew points in Miami are routinely 77-78 this time of year.
Ok, it will be very hot and very humid with hazy sunshine. High on Saturday 97-99. (I’m sure someone will find a thermometer where the temperature is 100 and above.)
For Philadelphia, the official temperature is measured at the PHL airport. Who lives at the airport?
Having the Delaware river nearby, jet engine exhaust, and, up until recently, refineries, doesn’t seem to bother anyone in the record keeping department.
For Sunday, hazy sunshine and similar temperatures and humidity is expected.
The models show parameters that may result in some occasional cloudiness and even some widely scattered pop-up thunderstorms in the afternoon Saturday and especially Saturday evening. This may occur to our far west, but some may pop up here. Similar uncertainties exist for Sunday. Any clouds and showers that develop may reduce the high temperatures reached.
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This afternoon’s models have backed off on the extreme weather just a bit. Most of the severe activity will move in between 8-12 midnight. Accumulated precipitation values have come down a bit to 1-2 inches of rain with additional rain on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Shear, Helicity and Vertical Velocity values have reduced a bit from yesterday’s posted graphics with the heaviest activity now predicted to occur in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, Berks, Lehigh and Bucks counties and into central/ northern NJ and New York City.
That said, these locations are hard [impossible] to pin down precisely in advance. There are differences in the models.
It’s a good thing I don’t usually “do thunderstorm forecasts”. This would have to become a full-time job!