I wanted to get a quick update online this morning before I get bogged down in rain/storm coverage. Everything is pretty much on track with what we talked about yesterday in the blog. A line of showers and storms is racing toward the SWFL coast this morning.. arrival of the heaviest rain in Charlotte slated for near 7 AM, closer to 8 AM in Lee, and 9 or so in Collier County. Accompanying the rain will be some very strong, gusty wind (40-50 mph+ gusts possible because of a strong low level jet stream at about 5000 feet). Widespread severe weather is unlikely with this line. The lower atmosphere is just too stable right now... and, while you can have severe weather originating from upper level instability (which we do have this morning), the upper level low appears to be tracking too far to the north to give us widepsread strong to severe storms. In a nutshell, the upper levels are primed for severe weather, but the low levels are not even close. But there is strong wind aloft, and that should allow for some strong wind gusts as the line comes through.
So much more on WINK-TV and 6TV at 7 AM... hope you join us!
Brian
