THE LOOK OF SUMMER...

A sprawling Canadian high pressure planted over the Great Lakes brought easterly winds and an exceptional brand of weather to the Midwest Thursday.

Temperature were a few degrees below normal with the 4:00pm observations locally generally in the range of 70-75.

Even more exceptional were the dew points which were in the mid 20s reflecting the dryness of the air mass.

PWAT's which indicate available water vapor were under a 1/4 inch.

In the red shaded areas water vapor was just 20-25% of normal. Very dry air.

As you would expect, sunshine was plentiful where high pressure and dry air was exerted its influence. It also kept much of the smoke from the Canadian wild fires to the west as well.

For the most part this blocky pattern will move very little the next 48 hours meaning persistence in the forecast. If anything, high pressure strengthens a bit Friday and the air grows even drier. The EURO at 4:00 in the afternoon shows a humidity level of 10 percent in Ft Madison. That puts Phoenix, Arizona to shame!

And, just like in the deserts, the dry air cools nicely at night and warms significantly during the day. We start Friday with temperatures deep in the 40s.

By late afternoon readings have warmed more than 30 degrees into the mid to upper 70s. A beautiful start to the holiday weekend ahead.

CATCH A HOT SUMMER DEAL AT ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE MIDWEST

TURNING UP THE HEAT MEMORIAL DAY

Between Friday and Memorial Day 850 temperatures increase by about 10 degrees. That allows a warming trend to gain traction with readings steadily increasing from highs from north to south of 78-83 Saturday. to 81-86 Sunday, and finally 85-90 Memorial Day. While it will be sunny and very warm, humidity remains extremely low and will not add to the heat. Rain chances are essentially zero.

Next week the EURO is going all in on summery temperatures. Here's what the meteogram for Davenport, Iowa looks like. The hottest temperatures of the year by far.

If the EURO has the right idea, and I suspect its in the ballpark (maybe a couple degrees too warm), those 90s Wednesday would be about 20 degrees above normal.

The Climate Prediction Center has even put the area in a slight risk of experiencing excessive heat ( 20% odds). Humidity will not be much of a factor until Thursday and Friday of next week.

CPC shows the well above normal temperatures and just as important, below normal precipitation continuing in its 6-10 day outlook.

At least through next Friday, rain chances look minimal. Over the next 2 weeks the EURO shows rainfall departures of more than 2 inches in most areas.

They say Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer and there's no doubt that this year will have that look and feel. Bring it on. By the way, in the Quad Cites rainfall the past 18 days has amounted to just .15 inches. A good rain would be welcome in just about any part of the Midwest. I'm working hard to find an opportunity but the search so far is not yielding much. Try, try again. Happy Friday everyone and roll weather...TS