The Storm Prediction Center Has Issued A Marginal Risk Of Severe Thunderstorm Development Saturday
Friday Morning Through Friday Afternoon
Predawn rain showers and rain developing ( especially along and southeast of the High Knob Massif & Tennessee Valley Divide. Dense fog at highest elevations. Then partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Local downpours. SSW-SW winds 5 to 15 mph, with higher gusts. Temperatures varying from 60s to low 70s in upper elevations to the upper 70s to lower 80s.
Friday Night Into Saturday Morning
Chance of hit-miss showers or thunderstorms. Partly to mostly cloudy. Areas of fog. SSW-WSW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, on mid-upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus. Mild with temperature widespread in the 60s ( upper 50s to lower 60s in cooler locations ).
Saturday Afternoon
A chance of showers & downpours in thunderstorms. Some storms could be locally strong-severe. SW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts. Temperatures varying from upper 60s to lower 70s at highest elevations to the upper 70s to low 80s. Areas of dense fog ( orographic clouds ) at upper elevations.
Saturday Night Into Sunday Morning
A chance of showers & thunderstorms. Winds shifting to WNW-NW at 5-10 mph, with higher gusts. Areas of fog, especially at high elevations. Temperatures dropping into the upper 50s to middle 60s ( coolest highest elevations ).
Intervals of showers & downpours in thunderstorms are expected through most of next week in advance of a stronger cold front that could again introduce much cooler air by the second week of July. Many dry hours are expected between active weather. Stay tuned for later updates on this future weather pattern.
Weather Discussion ( Back To Summer )
A return of humid air means that a return of more typical summer conditions, with intervals of showers & thunder-storms, will be a common feature of the forecast through the Independence Holiday period and next week.
Big Cherry Wetland Valley of High Knob Massif – June 28, 2017
Coldest mountain valleys along the Appalachians fell into the 30s, prior to this return of summer, with widespread 40s in other valleys across the Mountain Empire.
Coldest Mountain Valley Reports ( Morning Of June 28, 2017 )
Canaan Valley West Virginia 37 degrees
Burkes Garden Virginia 37 degrees
*Big Cherry Wetland Valley 38 degrees
A June 1-29 mean low temperature of 47.6 degrees was recorded in colder portions of the Big Cherry Wetland Valley ( 49.9 degrees in Burkes Garden during this same period ).
Following a very WET April-May, the month of June will end with near to below average rainfall. Many local locations are currently in the 3.00″ to 5.00″ rainfall bracket ( as of AM on June 30 ).
June featured a host of nice, chilly nights amid high valleys with 16 out of the 29 days of June featuring a 24-hour MIN which dropped below 50 degrees in the Big Cherry Lake Wetland Valley of the High Knob Massif.
Storm Prediction Center Risk Regions From 8 AM Saturday To 8 AM Sunday
Strong to possibly severe thunderstorm development will be possible Saturday, with formation west of the mountains tending to move eastward. Be sure to stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio and your favorite media sources for any possible watches or warnings that may be issued.
