The Muggies Make A Return As Humid Weather Pattern Setup Up Shop
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After a beautiful finish to Wednesday in parts of eastern Newfoundland, the weather is about to take another turn as a much more humid air mass moves into the province.
The temperature difference around the St. John’s metro area Wednesday afternoon was impressive. While temperatures were only around 13°C in the east end of the city, readings closer to 20°C were being observed farther west through Mount Pearl, Paradise and parts of Conception Bay South. Light winds and the proximity to the cold North Atlantic were largely responsible for that sharp difference.
That changes somewhat Thursday as warmer and increasingly humid air spreads across Newfoundland.
The muggies are coming back
The increase in humidity probably won’t be overly noticeable first thing Thursday morning, but it certainly will be by the afternoon.
Dew points are forecast to climb into the upper teens across much of the Island, with values approaching 20°C in some areas. Combine that with afternoon temperatures reaching the middle and even upper 20s, and humidex values could reach or exceed 30 in parts of Newfoundland.
Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor will be among the warmer locations Thursday, while St. John’s should reach around 21°C. Areas along the south coast will be cooler, and fog will remain an issue along some south-facing shorelines.
Thankfully, this isn't the beginning of a prolonged stretch of oppressive humidity. Drier air will begin moving into western Newfoundland Friday before spreading east. By Saturday, most areas should notice a significant improvement.
Showers and thunderstorms move through
The increasing moisture will also bring another round of unsettled weather.
Rain and showers will move northeast across southern Newfoundland overnight, while rain continues across parts of Labrador. Some thunderstorms are also possible.
By Thursday morning, showers and possibly thunderstorms will be moving through parts of central and northeastern Newfoundland. The Avalon Peninsula should begin the day mainly dry before showers and thunderstorms move across during the first half of Thursday. Conditions should improve later in the day, although it will remain warm and sticky.
The best chance of thunderstorms on the Island appears to be late Wednesday night through the first half of Thursday. That doesn't mean everyone will hear thunder, but the atmosphere will certainly be capable of producing a few storms where the ingredients line up.
Locally heavy rain possible
The highest rainfall totals through Friday morning are expected across southern Newfoundland, where some areas could receive 25 to 50 mm.
Southeastern Labrador will also see a widespread 20 to 25 mm, with localized totals potentially approaching 50 mm in some areas southwest of Cartwright.
As always with showers and thunderstorms, rainfall amounts can vary considerably over relatively short distances.
A refreshing weekend ahead
The good news is that this humid pattern won't last.
Humidity will begin dropping from west to east Friday, with much more comfortable air settling across the province by Saturday. Temperatures through the next week will generally remain in the upper teens and lower 20s across Newfoundland, with various chances for showers along the way.
Labrador also looks fairly typical for late August, although Happy Valley-Goose Bay could be one of the province's warmest spots this weekend with highs reaching the mid-20s under mostly sunny skies.
So, Thursday will be one of those days where you may wonder where the promised humidity is when you first step outside. Give it a few hours. By afternoon, the muggies will be back.
The next forecast update will be tomorrow morning! Check back for updates!
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