Humidity drops and fire risk elevates An upper low over western Quebec pinwheels through the province and drives a trough into the region, bringing the breeze up and dropping the dew points. Wildfire concerns are there for areas that received little to no rainfall from Monday's showers. Wind gusts in the 20-30 mph range and relative humidity levels dropping into the 30-40% range in the afternoon elevate the danger. With cold air advecting into the region, it mutes the sea breeze and cools the higher elevations. The forecasters on top of Mount Washington are thinking the daily high on the summit tops out in the upper 30s, with wind chill values in the teens/20s overnight into Wednesday. A light shower/sprinkle is possible over the western mountains and north in the afternoon. Rip currents are on the moderate level west of Penobscot Bay thanks to swell from the storm that formed offshore on Monday. Sadly, a teenager was lost due to the high rip currents and surf at Hampton Beach on Sunday. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for the chop until Tuesday evening. Surface high pressure moves into the region overnight, allowing the breeze to diminish with temperatures falling back into the 40s and 50s. A chance for rain Friday into Saturday Wednesday 8 AM (12z) through Monday 8 AM (12z) - A weak clipper brings the risk of a light shower/sprinkle on Wednesday. An upper low is expected to form and dip into the region on Friday and slowly spin through the region on Saturday. Guidance is having fun trying to figure out the timing, strength, and intensity of an offshore low that is expected to form, which will dictate how and when the upper low passes through on Sunday.  While confidence in rainfall amounts is low, there is a fair chance northern areas could pick up ¼-½" from this vantage point, with lesser amounts to the southwest. The bottom line here the progress of the upper low. The slower it passes through, the better chance for more rain, the faster, less rain. Stay tuned.  Temperature outlook through Monday The PTW Weather Wall updates 24/7 Your financial support keeps the lighthouse lit |
Mike Haggett
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