Tuesday could be race between heat, clouds

Posted Jun 22, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Jun 22, 2009 at 02:09 PM

Though forecasters expect some afternoon rains Tuesday could bring an end to the series of triple-digit heat index temperatures we’re seeing, there may be one more afternoon of silting in store. Part of the weather service outlook still holds potential for another afternoon that will feel like 105 degrees or so.

That’s because the forecast includes a chance for less cloud cover during the heat of the afternoon when temperatures are highest. If the clouds begin to vanish, then the heat index has a good chance of spiking beginning in the early afternoon and hitting a peak about 4 p.m. Clouds could start building back around dark, but by then things will be cooling and it won’t matter much.

A lot depends on whether the predicted 50 percent of rain comes through to drop temperatures and how long the clouds that begin building just after midnight last into the day.

At least Tuesday may start in the 70s instead of lows in the 80s that appeared the last few mornings.