We have a new storm on our hands about to form into Tropical Depression 4. This storm is the first tropical cyclone in a few years that worries me. Many of the computer models show this storm cut off Florida and head up the Atlantic coastline.

Here is a good picture of the computer model’s predictions:

Here is a satellite image of the storm:

Philaburbia will keep track of the storm as it develops and gradually crosses the Atlantic. Updates will be provided each day regarding the new tracks of the storm.

The drought of 2010 continues as temperatures sour into the 100s. Today (7/7) temps will be in the upper 90s and lower 100s. Yesterday, Trenton recorded a high temperature of 104 degrees! 5 people have died from the heat in Philadelphia and thousands of people have lost power. Over the past 30 days, the area has gotten less than 50% of their normal rainfall illustrated by the following map:

The heat has also been extremely above normal the past 15 days, as shown in the map below:

This heat and dryness has also taken a toll on plants and wildlife as trees and grass start to dry up. The area is also under a code red air advisory and an Excessive Heat Warning for today. Do not spend more than an hour outside without a drink or rest!

We will finally have a chance of rain on Friday and Saturday as a frontal boundary passes through the area.

The last large severe weather outbreak for a while will plague the area today as a strong cold front plows east. Following this cold front temperatures will plummet into the 70s (can you believe it!). But today, highs will reach the mid to upper 90s with an Exessive Heat Warning issued for the entire coverage area. Because the temperatures are so high, this front will spark thunderstorms with many, many lightning strikes. With these storms the main threat will be the lightning and wind, unlike some of the previous storms which hail and tornadoes associated with them.

The storms will move through later this afternoon and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch will probably be issued.

Here are two images of the simulated radar for later today. Note that most people will get some much needed rain, but only the “lucky” areas will get thunderstorms:

Well everyone, we have our first tropical storm of the 2010 season. This storm has been trudging through the Caribbean for a little over a week now, finally gaining steam and becoming Tropical Storm Alex. Because the storm formed so late and so close to land (Yucatan Penninsula), its strength isn’t expected to exceed a Tropical Storm. As of right now, Alex has no intentions of affecting the Philaburbia Coverage area anytime soon. I will keep you posted on the development of Alex as the week progresses and how (if at all) it affects our area!

Radar image and projected path of Alex:

Coming up later today or tomorrow morning: MORE SEVER WEATHER COMING!

Update 12:30 PM: Okay, right after I published the last post, the NWS posted a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the entire area until 8:00 PM. Expect the worst of the storms to pass through the area around 3-5 PM.

Here is the WRF simulated radar this afternoon; the storms will be scattered, but when they hit they will be severe:

As highs today reach the mid 90s, strong storms are forming in Central Pennsylvania right now. There is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for that area right now, which will most likely be issued for our area by the mid-afternoon. The SPC placed the coverage area in a slight risk for severe weather and we are still under an excessive heat watch. The main threat for the thunderstorms today will be high, destructive winds. I wouldn’t rule out a few tornadoes popping up in places later today either. I will keep you updated throughout the day as these storms progress eastward.

Current position of storms as of 12:15:

REMEMBER TO CHECK THE RADARS PAGE FOR CONTINUOUS RADAR COVERAGE!

The beginning of summer enters with a bang as we face our second heat wave of the year. Temperatures have reached the 90s the past three days and will continue to rise as the weak progresses. The NWS issued a Excessive Heat Warning earlier for Wednesday as heat indices will reach 100 degrees. There is also a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the entire area until 9:00. Right now the worst of the thunderstorms are hitting Chester County and Northern Delaware.

Worst Storms Hitting Chester as of 6:00 PM:

The chance of strong storms will continue as this line moves through the area. Remember, if you hear thunder go inside immediately!

Check the Radars Page for updating radars throughout the night

Update: 8:00 Wednesday Night

Some average thunderstorms are moving through Central Pennsylvania right now as the frontal boundary moves west. Right now, I doubt that the storms will endure the night. The weather will become sunny and hot as the week progresses with the next chance of storms coming Sunday or Monday.

In hurricane news… Invest 92L has dissipated after a brief period of panic from some meteorologic experts. The NHC placed this tropical system as “very favorable” for development earlier this week. Right now, the system is hitting shear and will eventually break up in the eastern Caribbean. The link for the NHC is here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hello everyone! Haven’t posted anything in a while…. Had to let school wind down and rest my brain. \

My main topic for today is the severe weather ready to attack our western coverage area today. A weak cold front (called a frontal boundery) is right now brewing in western Pennsylvania. The Storm Prediction Center originally had the severe weather area to the south of us, but suddenly moved it north late last night.

Here are some maps to help understand:

This map below is the WRF-NMM simulated radar that the computers thought up earlier this morning. As you can see, there will most likely be a line ranging from Chester county up to Bucks county wit another line following to the west. My concern is that the western line will turn severe as an effect of the sunlight and evaporation after the first line moves through.

The next map is just the SPC’s severe thunderstorm probablility for later today. I will update any changes that ensue as the day progresses, so keep watch!

Remember to keep an eye on the skies later this morning and afternoon. If a thunderstorm comes through, go inside!

It has been sunny and warm (and a little humid) throughout the day today. As I said yesterday, the more sun, the worse and more widespread the storms today. There are a few cells forming in Central Pennsylvania right now, but the real brunt of the storms will come later this afternoon and evening. The storms will most likely have high winds and hail. I wouldn’t be surprised if a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued once the storms start heading toward the area.

Here is the radar for the severe weather coming up:

I will update the condition of these storms later this afternoon…

Hello everyone, I am placing the Philaburbia Weather Area under a moderate alert for the upcoming severe weather on Friday May 14th. A strong warm front will pass through tomorrow morning making temperatures climp into the mid 80s by the afternoon. A cold front will approach from the west and arriving in the area by late afternoon or evening.

The SPC (Storm Prediction Center), one of the many sources I get my forecasts from made this map in reference to the severe weather tomorrow:

This map will update throughout the day tomorrow and I will TRY to update when I can about the situation of the storms and where they’re progressing. The key to seeing severe weather tomorrow will be the sunshine: if you see sunlight, then you will most likely see a strong thunderstorm later in the day.

Have a good night!

The wind and cold will end by Friday! A “Bermuda High” (High Pressure over Bermuda) will bring in tropical air over the weekend and really warm the area. Temperatures on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be in middle 80s. By next week, the cooler air will return as the Bermuda High is pushed out by a cold front Sunday Night.

Here is a map to explain::

Note: Allergies will be bad this weekend, so make sure to take benadryl or claritin.

Tonight: Windy and clear. Getting near freezing, watch for frost. Low 38

Tomorrow: A little warmer with partly cloudy skies Hi 68

Tomorrow Night: Cool and clear. Bermuda High moves in Low 50

Friday: Warm and sunny Hi 81 Low 60

Saturday: Even warmer and sunny Hi 84 Low 63