Columbia’s first 90-degree day quickly approaching

Do you smell that? If you’ve stepped outside lately, you may have noticed that more and more blooming is taking place across Mid-Missouri. It’s that time of the year where we are closing in on the middle of spring, which means warmer weather will officially begin to take over a good portion of the country.

So far, that hasn’t been the case here in Mid-Missouri. We ended April on a very wet and cool note, and started off May on a cool note as well. Since the start of May, temperatures for the most part have been below average, but that’s quickly coming to an end. Outside of the cool yet seasonal weather we’ve experienced towards the end of this week, the warmth will quickly be returning.

This is good news for those holding graduation ceremonies beginning Friday and lasting into the weekend. Sunny skies and highs near 80 degrees will top the forecast, making for an excellent weekend. The big change comes as we head into the start of next week.

Historically speaking, Mid-Missouri doesn’t see it’s first 90-degree day until the last week of May. If the upcoming weather pattern remains the same, it will likely bring our first 90 degree earlier than normal, but only by about two weeks.

Thanks to an omega block, high pressure will remain practically stationary across the center of the country. This will open the door for southerly winds and warmer conditions, which will also likely lead to a quiet first half of May.

And summer is only a little more than a month away; — 40 days, to be exact.

Stay tuned to the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team as we continue to track changing conditions.