SWEET, SWEET RELIEF...

Some much needed rain has fallen around the Upper Midwest over the last week. To get rain, you need moisture.. and we've had plenty of it. Temperatures have been well above normal and the humidity has been high for over a week. Here's the temperature departure over the last seven days -

The entire Midwest has been above normal! That pink area in northeastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois is 9-10 degrees above normal! Phew... now couple the 80s and 90s with dew points in the upper 60s and low 70s... it's been mighty steamy around here.

There has been plenty of moisture and also plenty of instability that has lead to showers and storms (and strong storms, like the ones ongoing Saturday night). Here's the rainfall that we've gotten over the last seven days -

This map doesn't include what's fallen on Saturday, and it isn't a lot of rain. However, it's allowed many of us to slowly crawl out of the deficit due to a very dry start to June. Now after this front moves through the Upper Midwest late Saturday/early Sunday... drier air is going to filter in. This is going to bring some nice relief from the humidity and the hot temperatures. Check out the highs expected Sunday -

Temperatures will be below normal for the first time in about 9 days! Dew points will be in the 50s and 60s in the wake of this front as well. Not totally dry air, but it's going to feel a whole lot more comfortable than the last week and a half!

Below normal temperatures and lower dew points will continue through the middle of the week. Then warmer temperatures and moisture mosey back in.

For now, enjoy the less humid conditions. And Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there, including my dad, step dad and Mr. Terry Swails!

RK