Tropical Storm Blanca forms in Eastern Pacific

While the tropics have been quiet in the Atlantic basin, the Pacific has its second named tropical system of the year. Tropical Storm Blanca has now formed off the west coast of Mexico and will track into the Pacific over the next few days.

As of 10 AM CDT, Monday, the center of Tropical Storm Blanca was located about 410 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of BAJA California. Blanca is moving towards the west-northwest around 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds are 45 mph with higher gusts and some intensification is expected over the next 24- hours.

Back here in the U.S. there will be two main weather features for this week. First, a stationary frontal boundary in the Southeast will bring waves of rain and t-storms. This will be a good thing for some like New Orleans who is currently more than a foot below normal for the year. Some areas along the Gulf Coast could see as much as 6" or so of rainfall this week.

Secondly, a big "Heat Ridge" will be building over the Plains and it will shift eastward through the week. Widespread 90s and 100s will be the result. The heat will make its way to the Mississippi River and into the Southeast by Wednesday and linger right through next weekend. In addition to the heat, humidity will also be on the rise providing for heat index values in excess of 100 degrees for many and for some in excess of 110 degrees.

That is it for today. Make sure to check back tomorrow for the first weather briefing of the week where we will take a closer look at the upcoming heat wave and also a look into the tropics and the latest on Blanca.