Our thunderstorms did indeed "go isolated" Wed. afternoon & such will be the pattern through the weekend. In fact, the east onshore wind will increase some so most sea breeze storms -- still isolated -- will shift well inland. So we're in for a dry period that'll last a good 5 days if not longer. A tropical wave/upper low will move across South Florida this weekend/early next week, but it's looking like tropical moisture will remain mostly south of the First Coast (more on this below).
Check out the photo below from Ryan Stilwell -- a roll cloud as it approaches Jax Beach. Roll clouds are driven by cooler air being pushed downward & forward from an approaching thunderstorm & are often accompanied by a wind shift & gusty winds (sometime very strong winds depending on the situation) followed by heavy rain. By the way...3.69" of rain on my yard Sun.-Tue.!
The 500mb weather map below is classic for a little textbook weather discussion:
-- first of all.....this pattern is leading to a "training" of storms from the Midwest through the Ohio Valley to the Mid Atlantic producing severe weather & flooding rains.
-- secondly....the trough of low pressure (a dip) moving out of the Rockies will trigger a widespread, potentially significant severe weather outbreak Wed.-Thu. possibly into Fri. for parts of the Plains, Midwest & Great Lakes.
-- thirdly...this is a pattern that has become firmly established this past spring -- that being a trough in the Rockies/Plains & a strong ridge of high pressure over or near the Southeast U.S. (partially responsible for our dry spring on the First Coast). When this ridge is parked right over the area -- like it is now & will be through the weekend -- upper level temps. become quite warm & the air naturally sinks -- not conducive for thunderstorm development.
-- fourth...a possible indication of where tropical systems might track this summer/fall (I was discussing this with Jamie Warriner, our morning meteorologist). While the upper level high will not likely go away, it will oscillate -- or shift -- from time to time. Where exactly it is when a tropical system develops will dictate the movement of the system. For example -- in its current orientation -- the upper low that evolving southeast of the Bahamas will move just about due west across South Fl. then westward across the Gulf next week. A shif of the ridge south would mean any tropical systems would move across the Caribbean & eventually into Central America or Mexico (much like the '07 season)....a shift north & systems will be aimed at the east coast or Fl. Systems that develop & evolve in the Gulf or Western Caribbean would potentially have a tendency to get pulled north through a possible "alley" ahead of what should be the semi-permanent trough over the middle of the U.S. Something interesting to consider for the upcoming tropical season &, of course, speculative.
Starting today at the main libray, downtown Jax:
WHAT: “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World” traveling exhibition
WHEN: June 4 to July 24, 2008
WHERE: Main Library
The Main Library welcomes “Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World,” beginning June 4 and continuing for six weeks. This nationally traveled exhibition celebrates this revered diplomat, scientist, philosopher, philanthropist, humorist, entrepreneur and statesman along with his many contributions to our nation.
The exhibit will be presented in themed sections, allowing the public to explore the various areas of Franklin’s life. On display will be objects owned by Franklin, photographs of handwritten documents, paintings, drawings and maps.
Activities that will be free for the public to enjoy in conjunction with the exhibit between June 4 and July 24, include a Flag Day concert by the Navy Band Southeast Brass Quintet and a patriotic musical extravaganza performed by the River City Band.
A dramatic portrayal by the highly acclaimed Ben Franklin impersonator, Dean Bennett, will be featured in June and July. Cecilia Brauer will play the rare and unusual glass armonica, an instrument invented by Franklin, himself, in 1761 in July.
This exhibition is organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, Philadelphia, in cooperation with the American Library Association Public Programs Office and made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life.
Benjamin Franklin liked his weather & coined the phrase "some are weatherwise but most are otherwise".
