Brief Cool Down Now, Heat Returns Late Week

Good Morning! Really don't know where to begin. Its been a hot weekend. Two of our hottest days since mid September. We hit 86° and 88° for Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Go back to September on the 12th & 13th and you'll find we recorded 88° and 92°, respectively.
Here's a short list of other highs around the state this weekend:
1. Terre Haute-90° Saturday & 92° Sunday
2. Valparaiso-90° Saturday & 92° Sunday
3. Evansville-92° for both Saturday & Sunday
4. South Bend-89° Saturday & 91° Sunday
5. Bloomington-87° Saturday & 88° Sunday
6. Eagle Creek Airport-87° for both Saturday and Sunday

Last night, some clouds blocked Indys view but others got a good look at the Solar Eclipse. Here's a time lapse photo from a view seen in Tokyo, Japan.

A Total Solar Eclipse will occur on November 13. This will be viewable by Northern Australia and South Pacific Ocean. Norfolk Island, North New Zealand, including Auckland, and parts of Central Chile will all view partial eclipses weather permitting happening around daybreak, sunrise. Same locations will probably view next years annular solar eclipse on May 10, 2013. The Hybrid Eclipse on November 3, 2013 might be viewable from Eastern U.S. but best viewable in the Atlantic Ocean and Africa. The next best shot to see an eclipse for much of North America will be October 23, 2014. Got awhile, sorry if you missed it last night!

We finally saw some raindrops last night as some weak t'storms moved through the state. Indianapolis and Bloomington only picked up 0.10" while up North, Lafeyette picked up 0.14" and Kokomo recorded 0.24".
A cold front moving through the state this morning will prevent the thermometer to reach 80s this afternoon and keep the threat for more showers/t'storms especially for the Eastern half of the state. For Indianapolis, really just looking at hit and miss chances nothing promissing. In fact we'll squeeze out some sunshine here today with temps to reach the low to mid 70s for many. Southern Counties may reach upper 70s to low 80s along the IN/KY state line.
The cooler temps should stick around for tomorrow as well but high pressure will build this will make for a sunny, pleasant Tuesday with mostly a repeat in temperatures if not warmer by a degree or two. Going with 74° today but 75° tomorrow.
The temperatures will continue to trend higher again and a resurge of summer heat will makes its way into the Ohio Valley. This will be our most warmest, humid, uncomfortable air for the year and month so far where temperatures looks to tie or surpass the 90° mark for Race Day Weekend. Its going to be very important to dress appropriately and hydrate in order to keep cool and prevent heat related injuries, some of which could be FATAL!
Weather Conditions look to be dry and sunny starting Tomorrow lasting until Sunday next week. It will be Monday Afternoon til Wednesday where our next rain chances will arrive with probably the best chance of the 3 days to fall on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Next Thursday and weekend of May 31-June 3 looks to be dry. 2 week precipitation totals ending June 6 should amount to maybe 2" or less for Indiana. So we are not looking at any heavy washouts more like isolated storms or light rain.

To start June, temperatures might pull back a little ranging from mid-upper 70s to low 80s lasting for the first 2 weeks which will be near normal or slightly above average. The average high is 78° on the 1st and by the 14th the average high is 82°. Ensemble forecasts predicts about a 70% chance of above normal temps for Central Indiana.

Special Notes/Tips
As we approach warmer temperatures and higher humidity this adds to the dangers for hazardous health conditions that can damage your body or lead to fatalities without taking extra precautions of safe, proper care/treatments. Make sure you are hydrating by drinking plenty of water or some sport drinks. Avoid drinking carbonated beverages that could lead to heat cramps. As sun does contain some Vitamin D for your for body, avoid prolonged exposure as this could damage your skin. If engaged in outdoor activities leaving you with prolonged exposure to the sun, wear sunglasses and suncreen.
Vitamin D maintains normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus in the human body and can possibly help prevent osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and even depression. The recommended exposure time to sunlight without sunscreen is only 10-15 mins per day, 2-3 times per week between 8AM-4PM. Longer unprotected exposure can lead to skin cancer. Currently, FDA has mandated new labels for sunscreen and manufacturers have until early fall to comply with the new label requirements. The main thing you need to know is Sunscreen is good for atleast 2 hrs and then you must reapply. If your in and out of water it may be good for 40-80 mins. SPF 30 is recommended but 45 is highly recommended especially if your outside for a longer period of time.
Also, keep in mind, childrens and pets should not be left in the vehicle in the heat. This is dangerous and could lead to death as well especially during long periods of time and inadequate cool ventillation. About 400 people are killed and 6200 people hospitalized every year in the U.S. due to excessive heat. Please follow safe precautions this summer. Don't become a part of this statistic. For more information on Heat Safety click HERE.

10 Day Detailed Forecast>
Today-Parly Cloudy, some sun. Chance of Pop Up Showers/T'Storms. Cooler. High 74.
Tonight-Partly Cloudy. Low 52.

Tuesday-Partly Sunny & Pleasant. High 75.
Tuesday PM-Mostly Clear Low 56.

Wednesday-Sunny & Warmer. High 80.
Wednesday PM-Clear. Low 62.

Thursday-Sunny & Warmer. High 86.
Thursday PM-Clear. Low 67.

Friday-Sunny. Humid. High 89.
Friday PM-Clear. Low 70.

Saturday-Sunny. Humid. High 92.
Saturday PM-Mostly Clear. Low 71.

Sunday-Sunny. Humid. High 90.
Sunday PM-Clear. Low 68.

Monday-AM Sun. PM Increasing Cloudiness. High 85.
Monday PM-Partly to Mostly Cloudy. Chance of Showers/T'Storms. Low 66.

Tuesday-Cloudy. Showers/T'Storms. Cooler but still warm. High 82.
Tuesday PM-Cloudy. Showers/T'Storms. Low 64.

Wednesday-Cloudy. Showers/T'Storms. High 79.
Wednesday PM-Cloudy. Showers/T'Storms. Low 63.

Temperature Data for May 1st-20th
MAY 2012 AVG HIGH---78.1°. This temperature is 5° above the normal avg high of 73° for May.
MAY 2012 AVG LOW----56°. This temperature is 3° above the normal avg low of 53° for May.
MAY 2012 AVG TEMP--67.05°. This temperature is is 4° above the normal avg temp of 63° for May/

(As of 05/21/12 @9AM)
Precipitation Data
Precip for TODAY------0.10".
Precip since MAY 1----2.20". This is 2.85" below normal for month.
Precip since MAR 1----9.70". This is 2.72" below normal for season.
Precip since JAN 1-----14.56". This is 2.93" below normal for year.

Snowfall Data
Snowfall Since MAY 1----NONE
Snowfall Since MAR 1----0.70"
Snowfall Since JAN 1------7.50"
Snowfall Since NOV 1-----9.80"