... but we needed rain.

As it turns out, we got nothing. I know I've already mentioned that, but I am truly bothered by it. It takes things to that next level of dryness... and raises the fire danger drastically. We are currently under a red flag warning, the (according to the guys) "proverbial slam dunk for red flag conditions". The smoke is expected to creep its way back into this area today, as conditions between the surface low and the ridge have generated strong, gusty winds... Should've expected that... my hair actually turned out nice today (except for the purple, which at this point has dimmed enough to just look like some plum color on the tips. Generally, it looks like a bad dye job, which technically, it was.) As Jeff mentions in the local AFD:

THIS WILL BE A RATHER STAGNANT WEATHER PATTERN FOR THE SOUTHEAST U.S. THIS WEEK. MUCH DRIER AIR SEEN ON WATER VAPOR IMAGERY AND LOCAL SOUNDING (PWAT 0.45") COMBINED WITH THE GUSTY WINDS WILL EXACERBATE THE ALREADY VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION.

For the long term, there is a large and interesting low off the coast of the Carolinas developing right now... as it fills and the low over the plains weakens (weakens a lot) and migrates our way, this cool air from the back door front (you know, the one that didn't even have the decency to drop any rain on us)should combine with it to generate some instability during our afternoons, allowing mesocale boundaries, which in turn will create the typical afternoon showers and thunderstorms that we are accustomed to in this region. Of course, it's not forceast to generate drought busters, but at least it will offer some relief from the dry pattern we've been experiencing, and with those doggone fires still burning, hopefully, the rain will help with those, and the lightning will not trigger any additional fires like it did yesterday.

There is still a slight risk area outlined in the plains for the next three days, but things appear to be settling down some. I would imagine that chasers are just plain exhausted from all the action they have seen over the past few days. It has been an impressively strong start to the plains chase season. Everyone out there has caught a nice sampling. I hope they save some for me. I would be completely bummed if I made it out there for my chance of a lifetime and there was nothing. I realize the possibilty of that. I am realistic about the possibility, but how sad that would be...

I'd better run.

Have a great day!!
~Dewdrop