Tropical pattern rolls on relentlessly

You might have noticed humidity levels increased yesterday as a flow of moist air moved up the coastline and brought even higher levels of moisture to the region. This train of rain will create numerous showers and thunderstorms through New England Today and Tuesday.

For the start of the work week the axis of the moisture appears to be poised to set up over western New England and then run northeast through the lakes region of Maine. This area runs the greatest risk for heavy rain the next two days, but even there it won’t rain the entire time.

Humidity levels are going to run above New England averages through the upcoming weekend. What I mean by this is our nights will be muggy and warm and our days will be warm to hot and humid. Dew points, a measure of the moisture in the air, will stay in the tropical range so air conditioning will be needed.

I don’t see any break in the humidity for 10 days. The break will happen; I just can’t with any level of confidence tell you when it will arrive. I haven’t seen this long of a stretch of humidity so early in the summer in many years. It’s not good for plants and certainly not the kind of weather I personally like.

As that river of moisture continues to move westward after Tuesday we will begin to drop the chance of rain from the forecast. What will happen is that high pressure in the Atlantic will push the unsettled weather west of New England at the same time the area begins to fall apart. This means that by the 4th, we should be able to completely remove thunderstorms from the forecast. While you might still see “chance of an isolated storm” from media outlets, that chance will be remote.

As the atmosphere becomes more stable, it will not cool off. Temperatures are going to be in the 80s and lower 90s heading into the weekend. We may have another heat wave on our hands if the high temperatures reach and exceed 90F for three or more days in a row.

Cape Cod and the coast of Maine will be the coolest places to be the next week as local sea breezes keeps temperatures in the 70s and lower 80s especially at those beaches where a south southwesterly breeze pulls cooler ocean air slightly inland.

Sunshine will be limited the next two days, but increase thereafter. This morning and Tuesday will have some sunshine mixed through the clouds. It may rain very hard for a few minutes only to feel like a steam bath a few minutes later.

Gardening this week
How are the plantings looking that you have against the foundation of your dwelling? Are they overgrown, too small or crowded? Check out this video in which I show you one foundation planting from start to finish. I added several important tips throughout the video.

I'll be updating the details of the July 4th forecast on Twitter at @growingwisdom Please follow me there. Feel free to comment or ask questions too.