Weather Conditions Monday Will Be Influenced By A Solar Eclipse Between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM, With A Temperature Drop Of 5 to 15 Degrees ( F ) Expected.
The Storm Prediction Center Has Issued A Marginal To Slight Risk Of Severe Thunderstorm Development For Tuesday Into Wednesday For Locations Along And West Of The Cumberland Mountains.
A Heavy Rainfall Potential Will Also Exist From Late Tuesday Into Wednesday Along And In Advance Of A Strong Cold Front.
Overnight Into Monday Morning
Partly cloudy. Areas of dense valley fog. Light SSE-SSW winds 5-10 mph, with higher gusts on mid-upper elevation mountain ridges. Calm valley winds. Temps varying from upper 50s to lower 60s in cooler valleys to the upper 60s to lower 70s on exposed mountain ridges.
Monday Afternoon & Solar Eclipse
Partly to mostly cloudy. Increasing darkness from 1:00 PM to 2:35 PM, then increasing daylight to 4:00 PM. Chance of a localized hit-miss shower or thunderstorm. Light SSE-SSW winds. Temps varying from the lower 70s to the lower 80s into early afternoon, then dropping 5-15 degrees depending upon the location and elevation before late afternoon rises occur prior to sunset.
Monday Night Into Tuesday Morning
Partly to mostly clear. Areas of valley fog. SSW-SW winds 5 to 15 mph, with higher gusts, along middle-upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus. Temperatures mostly in the 60s, with some 50s possible in coolest mountain valleys.
Tuesday Afternoon
Partly-mostly cloudy. Chance of showers & thunderstorms. Downpours possible. SSW-SW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts. Temperatures varying from the low-mid 70s to the lower-middle 80s ( coolest in upper elevations ).
Tuesday Night Into Wednesday Morning
Showers & downpours in thunderstorms becoming likely. Heavy rainfall totals possible. SW-WSW winds 5-15 mph with higher gusts. Areas of fog, especially at the highest elevations. Temperatures widespread in the 60s.
Weather Discussion ( Solar Eclipse )
*Reference this section for a recap of the Eclipse:
Weather conditions at the beginning of this forecast period will be influenced by a rare solar eclipse, reaching around 96% totality in Norton-Wise ( 95% in Clintwood ) by 2:35 PM on Monday ( August 21, 2017 ).
Solar Eclipse Timing City of Norton-Wise
Begins: 1:07 PM
Peak: 2.35 PM ( 96% Totality )
Ends: 3:58 PM
*Since the sun will never be completely blocked by the moon at this latitude, DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT PROTECTIVE, OFFICIAL ISO-RATED GLASSES.
A significant amount of cloud development will be possible by early afternoon over the Cumberland Mountains, such that some locations will likely have viewing problems. A small chance for local hit-miss showers-thunderstorms is also in my forecast.
Expect temperatures to drop 5 to 15 degrees between 1:00 PM and 2:45 PM, with precise drops dependent upon cloud coverage and elevation. Any places with thick clouds and showers could experience max drops, with high valleys and upper elevations within the High Knob Massif being favored for some of the largest temperature drops.
Storm Prediction Center Severe Thunderstorm Potential To 8:00 AM Wednesday
The focus turns toward another heavy rainfall potential setting by later Tuesday into Wednesday along and ahead of a strong cold front. The Storm Prediction Center has also issued a marginal-slight risk for severe thunderstorms for a large region along and west of the Appalachians.
Rainfall Totals ( August 1-18 )
City of Norton: 7.39″
Big Cherry Lake Dam: 7.62″
Eagle Knob of High Knob Massif: 8.67″
Due to wet antecedent conditions, strong rises on streams and other high water problems will be possible if heavy rainfall develops late Tuesday into Wednesday.
