Aurora visibility opportunities in WV? And a big summer-like pattern change ahead!

Yahoo

2 days ago

Tonight features mostly clear skies, which will look a bit hazy with smoke visible in the sky from Canadian wildfires. That should create a really nice sunset tonight! With a northwest breeze that will wane in intensity as the night progresses and clouds continuing to thin out, temperatures will plummet, as we fall back to around 40 degrees. A Frost Advisory is in effect for Nicholas and Pocahontas counties tonight where temperatures in the sheltered valley spots could dip close to freezing.
A geomagnetic storm is expected to transpire beginning tonight, which could allow for faint aurora viewing after dark. Your best bet to see the aurora is with your phone after dark, since their lenses are more sensitive to light than our eyes. It's always hard to tell exactly how good of a shot at viewing there will be until the event is right before us, but it's a close enough call to where I'd at least go out and check if you're interested. The University of Alaska-Fairbanks is not forecasting the best scenario for our region, but other groups have forecasted better conditions. Good luck!
Sunday provides plenty of sunshine as high pressure eases toward the region from Canada. It'll reach the Great Lakes by Sunday and keep that light northerly breeze around, which will keep temperatures below normal for this time of year in the upper 60s. It will be a stunning wrap to the weekend – don't forget about the sunscreen with the UV Index running high – and remaining high in the days to come as we enter a dry period for the region that will last several days. We will have yet another chilly night overnight, as mostly clear skies and a light breeze drops us down into the low to mid 40s.
Monday continues the sunny pattern. By the afternoon, high pressure will be just to our west toward Cincinnati – so we will have a westerly flow, which is still a wind flow that will keep temperatures from jumping up much from Sunday as highs reach the low 70s.
Tuesday sees temperatures jump about ten degrees for highs as high pressure shifts to our east. That will enable a southeasterly breeze to kick in, which is a warm and dry air flow. As a result, we will see high temperatures jump all the way up into the low 80s. These 80s are here to stay for a bit!
Wednesday has a shot at becoming the hottest day of the year so far – Beckley's warmest temperature so far is 84 degrees, and we will make a run into the mid 80s with partly sunny skies and southeasterly wind dragging warmer and dry air into the region once again.
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Thursday sees a bit of humidity return to the region along with the aforementioned heat, as we see our wind direction begin to change and arrive from the southwest, dragging moist air from the Gulf out ahead of our next system. Once again, high temperatures should have no problem reaching the mid 80s, with a few towns in our western counties likely flirting with 90 degrees on the bank thermometers.
Friday sees a slow-moving cold front approach the region by the afternoon, which will provide the risk for a few scattered showers and storms. There should still be plenty of dry time during the day, but our weather will become more unsettled the later the day goes. A combination of heat, humidity and marginally unstable air will allow for a few thunderstorms to pop up. Though the severe weather risk overall is low – a strong wind gust or two can't be ruled out, with highs in the low 80s.
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Saturday will be an unsettled day with scattered showers and storms likely as an area of low pressure moves along the aforementioned front that will still be near the region. As a result, the day looks to provide a few chances for storms with highs dipping back into the mid 70s with the abundant clouds and showers that will be expected.
Looking ahead in your extended forecast, there is no real sign of any big cooldown. Scattered showers will be possible still on Sunday as Saturday's system remains close by to our south. We should dry out on Monday and Tuesday before the risk for rain looks to return by Wednesday. High temperatures will remain in the 70s and low 80s.
TONIGHTMostly clear and cold! Lows around 40.SUNDAYMostly sunny. Nice day! Highs in the upper 60s.MONDAYMostly sunny. Highs in the low 70s.TUESDAYMostly sunny. Warm! Highs in the low 80s.WEDNESDAYMostly sunny. Summer-like! Highs in the mid 80s.THURSDAYPartly sunny. Hot and becoming humid. Highs in the mid 80s.FRIDAYScattered afternoon storms. Highs in the low 80s.SATURDAYShowers and storms likely. Highs in the mid 70s.SUNDAYShowers and storms mainly south. Highs in the mid 70s.MONDAYPartly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.TUESDAYPartly sunny. Highs near 80.
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