Tonight's Hourly Weather Forecast

Looking for an hourly weather forecast for tonight? Understanding the detailed hourly predictions for your local area is crucial for planning your evening activities, commute, or even just deciding what to wear. Unlike a general daily forecast, an hourly breakdown provides granular insights into temperature fluctuations, precipitation timing, wind shifts, and more, allowing for precise decision-making. In our analysis, harnessing these real-time updates can significantly enhance your comfort and safety, making your evening much smoother.

Understanding Your Local Hourly Forecast: What Data Points Matter?

Navigating tonight's hourly weather forecast requires more than just glancing at the temperature. A truly useful forecast provides a rich tapestry of meteorological data. From our practical experience, understanding each component allows you to interpret predictions with greater accuracy and prepare effectively for any changes. — Ryder Cup Standings: Latest Updates And How It Works

Key Meteorological Indicators Explained

When you check your local hourly forecast, you'll encounter several important indicators beyond just temperature and precipitation. These include:

• Temperature (and "Feels Like" Temperature): The actual air temperature, often accompanied by a "feels like" value which accounts for wind chill (in colder conditions) or heat index (in warmer, humid conditions). A rapid temperature drop tonight could indicate a passing cold front.
• Humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air. High humidity can make the air feel stickier and contribute to fog or dew formation.
• Dew Point: The temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture, leading to condensation (fog, dew, or even cloud formation). If the dew point is close to the air temperature, expect increased humidity and potentially fog.
• Atmospheric Pressure: Often expressed in millibars (mb) or inches of mercury (inHg). Falling pressure often signals approaching unsettled weather, while rising pressure typically indicates improving conditions. Monitoring pressure trends throughout the evening can offer clues about upcoming weather shifts.
• Wind Speed and Direction: Critical for understanding how comfortable it will feel outside and for potential impacts on outdoor items. Gusts can be significantly higher than the sustained wind speed.
• Cloud Cover: Describes the amount of sky covered by clouds. Cloud cover tonight can significantly affect temperatures, trapping heat on cloudy nights or allowing it to escape on clear nights.
• UV Index: While less critical for tonight's forecast, it indicates the strength of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is still relevant if planning early morning outdoor activities.

Microclimates and Their Impact on Local Predictions

One of the biggest challenges in accurate forecasting, particularly for an hourly weather forecast, is the influence of microclimates. These are localized atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas. Urban heat islands, proximity to large bodies of water, variations in elevation, and even extensive tree cover can create distinct microclimates. For example, a valley location might experience colder temperatures and more prevalent fog tonight than a nearby hilltop. In our testing, relying solely on regional forecasts can sometimes be misleading; looking for forecasts specifically tailored to your immediate neighborhood or even using personal weather stations can provide more precise data. It's why local hourly weather forecasts are so valuable. — Keokuk IA 52632 Weather Forecast & Conditions

Decoding Temperature and Wind Trends Throughout the Night

Understanding how temperature and wind will behave throughout tonight's hours is fundamental for practical planning. These two elements significantly influence comfort, safety, and the development of other weather phenomena.

Anticipating Temperature Fluctuations: Radiative Cooling and Frontal Passages

Temperature changes tonight aren't always linear. Several factors contribute to hourly fluctuations:

• Radiative Cooling: On clear nights with light winds, the ground radiates heat into space, causing surface temperatures to drop significantly. This is why a clear evening often leads to a much colder morning. Our observations show that a lack of cloud cover can lead to a temperature drop tonight of 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few hours post-sunset.
• Frontal Systems: The passage of a cold front can cause a rapid and noticeable temperature drop, often accompanied by a shift in wind direction and potential precipitation. Conversely, a warm front might bring rising temperatures. Pay close attention to frontal boundaries indicated on weather maps.
• Advection: The horizontal movement of air masses can bring warmer or colder air into your region. Even without a frontal passage, if a large body of cold air moves over your area, temperatures will fall.

Understanding Wind Speed, Direction, and Wind Chill

Wind is a dynamic element of any hourly weather forecast. Its speed and direction can vary significantly through the night, impacting how the ambient temperature feels.

• Wind Speed: Measured in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h). Higher wind speeds can increase the rate of heat loss from exposed skin, leading to the wind chill effect.
• Wind Direction: Crucial for understanding where the air mass is originating from. Westerly winds typically bring drier air, while southerly winds often bring warmer, more humid air. A shift in wind direction tonight can signal a change in air mass.
• Wind Chill: This is the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air. The National Weather Service (NWS) provides specific charts for calculating wind chill, emphasizing that a strong breeze on a moderately cold night can feel much colder than the actual air temperature. For instance, a 20°F air temperature with a 15 mph wind can feel like 4°F (Source: NWS Wind Chill Chart). This is vital information for anyone planning to be outdoors for an extended period.

Precipitation Tonight: Chances, Types, and Timing

One of the most impactful elements of any hourly weather forecast is the prediction of precipitation. Knowing if and when rain, snow, or other forms of moisture will arrive, and in what quantity, is essential for planning.

Interpreting Probability of Precipitation

Forecasts often include a "probability of precipitation" (PoP), usually expressed as a percentage. This percentage represents the likelihood of measurable precipitation (0.01 inches or more) occurring at any given point in the forecast area during the specified time period.

• PoP < 30%: Generally means isolated or scattered showers, with a lower chance of directly impacting your location.
• PoP 30-50%: Suggests scattered precipitation, with a moderate chance of showers or storms affecting parts of the area.
• PoP > 50%: Indicates a good chance of widespread precipitation. A 70% chance of rain tonight means it's quite likely you'll see rain.

It's important to remember that PoP doesn't tell you how much rain will fall or for how long, only the likelihood of it occurring. For that, you need to look at specific precipitation type and intensity predictions. — Spencerport Homes For Sale: Find Your Dream House

Types of Precipitation and Their Hourly Manifestations

Precipitation isn't just rain; it can take various forms, each with distinct implications for your evening.

• Rain: The most common form. Hourly forecasts will often specify light, moderate, or heavy rain, and provide approximate start and end times. Thunderstorms might also be indicated, suggesting heavier downpours and lightning.
• Snow/Sleet/Freezing Rain: In colder temperatures, liquid precipitation can turn to snow, sleet (ice pellets), or freezing rain (rain that freezes upon impact with surfaces). Freezing rain is particularly hazardous as it creates black ice, making roads and walkways extremely slippery. Our observations highlight that even a small amount of freezing rain can cause widespread disruption.
• Drizzle/Mist: Very light precipitation, often associated with fog or low clouds, and typically has minimal impact but can reduce visibility.

For any type of precipitation tonight, cross-referencing with weather radar is invaluable for tracking its exact movement and intensity.

Leveraging Weather Radar and Severe Weather Alerts

While an hourly weather forecast provides excellent predictive data, real-time tools like weather radar and official severe weather alerts offer critical, immediate information. These resources are indispensable for staying safe and informed, especially when dynamic weather patterns are at play.

Tracking Real-Time Weather with Radar

Weather radar is a powerful tool for visualizing precipitation in real-time. It sends out radio waves that bounce off rain, snow, or hail, and then interprets the reflected signals to show their location, intensity, and movement.

• How it works: Green on a radar typically indicates light rain, yellow/orange moderate, and red/purple heavy rain or thunderstorms. Blue might indicate snow or ice. Tracking tonight's weather radar can show you exactly when a rain band is expected to reach your location or how long a storm might linger. Many apps now integrate high-resolution radar, allowing for minute-by-minute updates.
• Limitations: Radar can sometimes show