Dry for the Fourth

6-30-7 by Kesnerster on Flickr

There's one more day of rain to contend with before the dry weekend. Two upper level disturbances are going to pass overhead today. You know the drill, look out for scattered showers and thunderstorms from early this afternoon through the evening. These are expected to be slow-moving storms, so they may dump lots of rain where they strike. Also, small hail and gusty winds. We'll see highs from the mid 70s to near 80.

However! Humidity levels will begin to drop late tonight as a weak high pressure system moves into the region. There may be a few fair weather cumulus clouds tomorrow but our July 4th skies should be clear for the fireworks. Sunday is also looking sunny. Both days should see seasonable highs in the lower 80s. Look for more of the same on Monday.

The cool and rainy weather has been ideal for the spread of the disease and pestilence. Late blight, the fungus that caused the Irish Potato Famine, has been seen all over the northeast affects tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant. The fungus can spread rapidly when seedlings are packed close together such as at big-box store garden centers. If your plants are infected the Plant Disease Diagnostic Center at Cornell recommends bagging in plastic and tossing in the trash.