Big Changes Headed This Way

The coolest air mass we have seen since Summer began will be moving into the Mid-Atlantic on Monday. The high temperature map from today is posted above, and gives a glimpse of what is to come. Highs across the Great Lakes were in the 50s and 60s today, while the desert southwest had temperatures nearing 120 degrees. This large spread in temperatures is due to a meridional (north-south) upper-level flow, indicated by the top graphic (forecast for Sunday night). Hot tempertures are found under the ridge (SW US) and cool temperatures are found under the trough (Great Lakes). The strong trough will dig into the eastern US, bringing highs in the upper 60s and low to mid 70s to central Virginia on Monday and Tuesday.

Danny Update

The latest update on tropical storm Danny reveals no change in intensity, but more of a northeastward movement and an increase in forward speed. With most of the rain and wind displaced to the east and southeast of the system, the affects on the Outer Banks are expected to be minor and short lived. The weather in central Virginia will be unaffected by Danny, but a few storms will be possible Saturday associated with an upper-level low over the Southeast U.S.

Disorganized Danny

Tropical Storm Danny remains weak Friday morning, barely at tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds up to 40mph northeast of the center of low pressure. Danny is also still just as disorganized as it has remained all week during its life. (Watch a NASA GOES loop of Danny from Tuesday through Thursday here.) Poor Danny just hasn't been able to overcome some of the interfering upper-level factors preventing a typical cyclone structure from developing. Here's what Danny looks like this morning:

As Zach talked about last night, the center of Danny will pass offshore of the OBX Saturday, bringing high waves and riptides to the coast, with winds up to 30-45 mph for a few hours.