First hurricane of 2008 Atlantic season

Big Bertha! The first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic season has formed and is crossing the Atlantic - a rarity for this early in the season. Most tropical systems this time of year form in the warm waters of the Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico, with Atlantic-crossers not starting until the middle of the season.

As of this 11am EDT, maximum wind is 90 mph (80 kts) in this storm with a forecast for some additional strengthening to Cat 2 status. In the next 48 hours, Bertha will encounter a trough over the western Atlantic which will serve to turn it more towards the north and also likely cause it to start a slow weakening trend as it encounters more atmospheric shear compliments of the trough. Right now, it is too early to tell whether it will have any impact on land, though Bermuda would seem to be the mostly likely possible victim should it maintain it's forecast track into the latter stages of the week. A forecast track map is below.



On another note, the scattered storms over the weekend missed my rain gauge! WXLIVE! recorded only 0.01" of rain over the weekend. Some areas particularly in eastern AR, northern MS, and south of I-40 in west TN (including parts of Memphis) got healthy and much-needed downpours. In the meantime, the grass wilts at my house and more heat this week will not help. Highs all week and next weekend will be in the mid 90s except possibly Thursday and Friday when daytime scattered t'storms could help to hold the temps down in the 90-93 range. Heat indices will be from 99-103 on days without rain as well.

Thunderstorms will mix with fireworks for the 4th

After several cooler-than-normal days, low humidity, and beautiful evenings and early mornings, the atmosphere is getting primed to provide some of Mother Nature's fireworks for the holiday weekend. A slow-moving, weak cold front will drop into the area from the north late tonight and hang around through Saturday. In the meantime, high pressure has shifted east and the clockwise flow of air around the high is bringing humidity back to the Mid-South on southerly wind. By tonight, as the front makes it's approach and humidity continues to increase, a slight chance of showers or t'storms will crop up, particularly after midnight. Any fireworks displays this evening will be man-made and should remain dry!

By tomorrow, look for storms to become more widespread, with a 50/50 chance of rain for the entire area. Scattered thunderstorms will continue into the evening so bring an umbrella for any July 4th events you plan to attend. Scattered storms will continue Saturday as the front hangs around before lifting out Sunday with rain chances decreasing by the end of the weekend. A return to hot and humid weather is on tap for the beginning of next week.