The following may be of interest to some of us. For those who find weather to be interesting, please read on...

I'm not a weather guy and sometimes the weather information sent to me from the NWS goes right over my head!

Case in point: The Pittsburgh NWS has been saying this morning that we have a potential for severe weather this afternoon (Sunday, 5 May 2024.) In an update earlier this morning they said:

"We may see strong storms pop up this afternoon. The Marginal Threat Level remains over the area. Stay tuned for updates on storms that may begin popping this afternoon"

There are no warnings or watches, so I just noted this. However, a few moments ago, the NWS said:

"Dry air is racing through western Ohio. Drier air and decrease in clouds will build into our region over the next few hours."

It seemed to me that the NWS was contradicting itself with a report of a severe storm potential on one hand, and dry air and a decrease in clouds on the other. After all, doesn't the atmosphere need moisture and clouds to create storms?

I was taught a long time ago that if I don't understand something, I should ask. So I sent the following question to the meteorologists at the NWS:

"Does the mention of dry air moving into our area decrease or remove the potential for severe storms developing this afternoon?"

They responded back:

"It increases the potential...dry air cools the atmosphere aloft and helps promote instability. That instability, under the right conditions, can be a contributor to creating severe storms. So that is what we are watching for this afternoon, Jeff."

It sounds contradictory, but dry air actually increases the storm potential. Well, live and learn!

Jeff, WB1AAL