HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – After a mild Tuesday afternoon under cloudy and hazy skies, temperatures peaked in the mid-60s across the region. Given how dry the air was (29% humidity), it’s no wonder these clouds couldn’t gather any rain. But the wheels are in motion for a mouthful of moisture from the south to arrive and with that comes the best rain since Helen passed through in late September. Therefore, a first alert day was deemed appropriate for healthy rainfall of one to one and a half inches.

Although rain will create the usual problems when traveling (wet leaves, hydroplaning on roads, large puddles around storm drains clogged with leaves), the benefits of rain must also be championed. The extinguishing of the brush fires (remember over 15,000 acres in southern West Virginia alone) and the first break in the now 5 month drought since late September.

So a rainy day on Thursday will start with a soaking. Then a mid-day lull will be followed by shorter bursts of rain and wind late in the day. Winds are not expected to get out of control (maybe 30 mph to knock down a few leaves), but perhaps a squall with thunder and even a little crushed ice (small hail) can occur.

On Friday the air will dry out under cloudy skies. This is good news for high school football playoff games in Ohio and Kentucky. Afternoon highs in the 50s will see temperatures drop into the 40s by the end of the games.

Saturday will stay dry with some sunshine for Game 75 at Joan as the Herd takes on Coastal. Figure tailgate temperatures in the 50s and highs of 60.

Sunday is the perfect day to put up Christmas lights with sunshine and highs in the 60s!

Weather geeks like me will be amazed at how a tropical storm from the Caribbean and a surge of cold air from Canada will interact next week. If all goes well, Tony shows how a hurricane hits Florida and our first snowflakes of the season may occur next week!

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