We have our first hurricane of the season, and it will indirectly impact part of the upcoming weekend around here.

A cold front continues to push offshore and high pressure builds in this evening, remaining in control into Saturday. With an upper-level low nearby, we’ll see some clouds and possibly a shower or two on Friday, but most of them should stay well to our north. As the high moves overhead Saturday night we’ll have clear skies and diminishing winds, setting up another radiational cooling night, though some high clouds may interrupt to keep things a bit milder. If we stay clear, many places could again dip into the 30s by Sunday morning, with frost possible once again. As the high slides eastward on Sunday, clouds will start to stream in from the south and west ahead of what’s left of Hurricane Isaias (more on that in a moment). What’s left of the system will pass south of the region Sunday night and early Monday, spreading rain in by late Sunday afternoon or evening. Some of the rain could be heavy near the South Coast, but for most of us just a steady light rain is expected. Everything winds down Monday morning as the system pulls away, with dry weather for the afternoon, possibly even a few sunny breaks.

Before this year, we’d never gone past September 11 without a hurricane during the satellite era (since 1960). This year, it took until October 7, but we finally have our first hurricane of the season – Isaias. As of 2pm Thursday, it was centered about 350 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving toward the east-northeast at 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 85 mph, and additional strengthening is expected. Tropical Storm, Hurricane, and Storm Surge Warnings are in effect for parts of the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Isaias is over some very warm water, but wind shear is starting to increase a little. It could continue to strengthen for the next 12-24 hours, possibly reaching category 3 strength, However, as it nears the coastline, wind shear will rapidly increase, with significant weakening likely before landfall. The storm may still be a hurricane at landfall, likely near Pensacola, Florida Friday night, but it should rapidly weaken once inland. The main threats will be flooding from heavy rain inland and storm surge along the coast, and some wind damage, likely confined to coastal areas.

Thursday night: Mostly clear. Low 45-52.
Friday: Sunshine and some afternoon clouds, very slight chance for a sprinkle, breezy. High 62-69.
Friday night: Clear skies. Low 39-46.
Saturday: Sunny through the morning, high clouds start to filter in during the afternoon. High 59-66.
Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Low 41-48, a little milder in urban areas and near the coast.
Sunday: Becoming mostly cloudy, showers possible by late in the day. High 62-69.
Sunday night: Showers likely, some periods of steadier rain, especially south of the Mass Pike. Low 50-57.
Monday: Showers ending by early afternoon, some late-day sunny breaks possible. High 62-69.




















