>As we see building high pressure over the heart of the United States, Hurricane Felicia revs to catagory 4 strength in the Pacific and eyeballs Hawaii, energy has accummulated throughout this summer and with nothing developing due to atmospheric hostility, as the atmosphere does lighten up, things spark fast and furious. With tropical activity getting tapped as Felicia becomes a powerful hurricane, this is the danger that I fear for the later of August in the Atlantic. Just like in 1992, Andrew seemingly popped out of nowhere but even though there has been no action so far doesn’t mean, the batteries haven’t been charging.
By lifting the trough away from the eastern seaboard, allows a loosening of the vigorous upper-level westerlies, as well as building high pressure further west from what has been stronger than normal across the eastern Atlantic more into the central Atlantic. That being said, this may close off chances of anything potentially forming to take aim at the lower 48 as a system that far far (10 north) would simply run into South America. It is north of thr ridge we need to watch for. Warmer SST’s over the western Atlantic and a more favorible environment is showing, as well as possible indication from Pacific activity that the Atlantic may be getting ready for it’s first named storm of the 2009 season. I still am not convinced we will see anything until at least the 15th onwards but certainly not outwith the realms of possibility we may get something to formbefore that.
Watch as June repeats itself these early days of August as Texas and Oklahoma see 100s return as the Western sees lower heights and a trough drop into the PNW. Las Vegas will get relief from it’s 100s but like I’ve stated, it’s nearly always tough this time of year to keep Phoenix below 100 simply because pressures are stronger and lack of the atmosphere’s ability to form clouds, makes it tough to stay below 100 there. Only time you can significantly drop their temps is when monsoonal storms blow up.

SIDE NOTE: 89 yesterday at NYC’s LaGuardia site was warmest since April! Also note the cool 67 at Seattle… Effects of the trough..

My sincere appologies for the brief and few and far between posting these days. Late finishes in work and personal commitements are keeping me off the computer more than what I would like.
Have a great evening.

Thanks for reading.

-Mark