Bob Peters Forecast

A few isolated thunderstorms developed over the area Friday afternoon, with conditions otherwise partly cloudy and hot.

The thunderstorms, with less than 10 percent areal coverage, extended from a Paris- Quitman line eastward to the Louisiana border.

They developed as a result of daytime heating, and along a weak surface trough which extended from Mount Pleasant southeastward to Natchitoches, La.

Heat index values were slightly higher because of increased humidity. A heat advisory was displayed for the entire area, and continues through 9 p.m. today.

The highest heat index Friday afternoon was 109 at Paris, with Tyler's topping out at 103.

Friday's temperatures averaged a degree or so above Thursday's, and were about 6 degrees above normal.

Above normal readings are forecast for today, before readings drop below normal Sunday and shower chances increase.

The upper air high will begin a southward shift today, permitting a cold front and its associated upper air disturbances into the region.

The result will be a chance for showers and thunderstorms, which are most likely from Sunday mid-day into Monday evening.

Slight shower chances will continue beginning Tuesday through the remainder of next week as the front's remnant low pressure trough remains in the area.

Areal coverage Sunday and Monday should run near 75 percent, with amounts averaging between one-fourth and one-half inch. One of the models is creating much heavier amounts, but that one has been discounted in the official forecast.

By late next week, the upper air high pressure ridge will return, and temperatures will go back above normal. If significant rains occur, then they should not be as hot as has been the case the past couple of weeks.

Friday marked the 22nd consecutive day in Tyler with the temperature above 90 degrees.

Winds on Friday were southerly at 5-10 mph, with light southwest winds today and Sunday, becoming northwesterly Sunday night and Monday behind the cold front.