Clouds!

We saw a little bit more clouds yesterday and expect a bit more blockage of that fireball in the sky today. More clouds will certainly help with those ridiculously hot afternoon temperatures as high pressure to the north continues to press down on southeast Texas and Acadiana.

The increased clouds are due to a disturbance tracking across the Gulf. The strong ridge will keep the disturbance tracking westward and right into South Texas in a little over 24 hours. It'll likely become a tropical storm before moving inland. Unfortunately, most of the moisture associated with this system will stay in South Texas. Outer bands of its moisture will lead to a 30% chance of a few showers over Acadiana this afternoon and tonight. It'll be a bit higher for Houston... 40% this afternoon and 50% tomorrow. Showers will generally be quick and won't put much of a dent in the drought.

Good news...bad news... Good news first...The strong ridge of high pressure will weaken late this week and through the weekend. Bad news...the ridge, now centered over over the middle of the country will sink southward towards the region. While the weakening ridge will eventually lead to a more normal temperature forecast in the extended, that won't be before very hot weather will settle in Thursday through the weekend. Thursday could be really hot depending on clouds and the orientation of the ridge. It could be the hottest day of the summer, which is really saying something this summer. Rain chances won't be 0, but you'll be lucky to get anything.

Elsewhere in the tropics...no concerns for our area yet.