Clear Skies and Cooler Conditions - KALB-TV News Channel 5 & CBS 2

October 18

12:00pm

Overview
There is a Low Pressure System over the Great Lakes Region that is moving toward the East Coast. There is a cold front associated with it. Along this front, expect a likely chance for rain, coupled with a slight risk for severe weather. In the wake of this front, a ridge of high pressure is digging in and bringing Sunny skies, cooler temperatures and a dry weather pattern to the eastern half of the nation.

Discussion
Overnight, a cold front moved through the area and prompted several warnings across central Louisiana. There have been very few damage reports from this system (however, there were reports of high wind gusts and some hail). In the wake of this front, a ridge of High Pressure is building in
This ridge of High Pressure will remain anchored over our viewing area through the weekend. This will bring with it; clear skies, chilly starts, pleasant conditions and low rain chances. This pattern will continue for several days with a gradual warming trend expected.
  
For the rest of the day
Expect abundant sunshine in the wake of last night's front. A more cool and dryer air-mass will move over the area and cause humidity values to drop for the next couple of days. We will see chilly nights with winds becoming calm.
When there is very little cloud cover and a light wind, the environment will experience a condition referred to as "Radiational Cooling".
The combination of cloudless skies (At night, when the surface is not being warmed by the sun, clouds act like a blanket and trap heat from escaping the atmosphere and keeping it close to the surface.) and little to no wind (When wind moves across the surface, it caused friction. Friction causes some heat as particles and molecules in the air collide. The lack of wind takes one more heat source out of the equation.) temperatures can get even cooler and bottom out. In cases such as these, keep an eye on the dew point. The air temperature cannot drop below that value. The dew point will vary a little bit but will not move very fast unless a front is passing over an area At That Time.

For the rest of the 7day planner
Today, expect to see increasing clouds and rising rain chances. The front will pass through the area overnight. Thursday, we will see a continued chance for early morning rain, followed by clearing skies and falling rain chances. In the wake of this cold front a ridge of high pressure will settle in and remain anchored over the viewing area through the weekend. The rest of the planner will bring with it, low rain chances, cool AM temps and pleasant conditions. Some overnight lows will dip into the upper 40's.

TODAY...A few lingering showers are possible in the early morning hours. After that, expect clearing skies, becoming Sunny and Pleasant. Highs 76-82.  North winds 5-15mph.

THURSDAY NIGHT... Clear skies and chilly. Lows 46-52 Winds will be light and variable.

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~DEW