[su_note note_color=”#d9f2da”]No showers developed Philadelphia and west, as expected. There were some thundershowers in south Jersey, not as much areal coverage as predicted by the models last night. Dew points were delightfully lower than had been predicted.  [/su_note]

Pop-up, widely scattered thundershowers did develop today (Saturday), but the areal coverage was hardly close to the model precipitation forecast graphics that I posted yesterday. (This morning’s models which came out after 10:45 am had actually cut back on the showers for today.)

Tonight’s model forecast just becoming available shows even fewer showers for the immediate Philadelphia area westward, but a weak frontal boundary passing through sparks some thundershowers, mostly from the city eastward into N.J. mid to late afternoon.

As we’ve seen today, prediction of specific areal location of thundershowers is something models attempt to do with limited and inconsistent success.

Except for these showers, Sunday will be mostly sunny, very warm and somewhat humid— typical August weather. High 87-89.

There are interesting differences in last night’s models regarding the chance of showers/thundershowers this evening. (Sunday evening)

An upper air disturbance drops down into our area this evening, between 7PM and 1 AM.  The NAM has been consistent in keeping any showers far to our north.  One version of the WRF with NAM physics (WRF-NMMB) also does the same.

The GFS  (and its similar physics version, the WRF-ARW) has showers and thundershowers making it in to the Philadelphia area towards midnight, then dissipating.   It will be interesting to see which model does the best here.

Either way, today will be hot and slightly more humid. Highs 91-93 with dew points near 60.