Ice Sales Up Here...Tums Sales Up In Florida

I took this picture in the sculpture garden between the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hunter Museum. This work of art is topped by a weather vane which was waving back and forth as nearby storms were temporarily cooling the area. I tried to frame the sculpture over the main updraft of this storm, and I like the overlay effect that was captured.
Yesterday we broke the record high of 98 (which was set in 1999) at 4:04pm when the mercury hit 99. That's also the first time since August 17th, 2000 that we have been that hot. Again, that's a real testament to how dry the ground is around here. The last time we hit 100 was during that blistering hot, dry summer of 1999. That year we saw 100 six times. The last time was September 6th, 1999.
Today's record is 99 set in 1987. Tomorrow's record is 100 set in 1957. And we should challenge the record this afternoon, and end up within a few degrees of tying tomorrow's record. Whew! Where's the ice?
A few showers are already popping up this morning across the area. We'll see a few more this afternoon. Where they are occurring this morning, there are some nice downpours.
While they will be few and far between the next couple of days, look for more numerous showers and storms this weekend.
The other big story is Tropical Storm "Chris". And this could become the first hurricane of this season by tomorrow. Right now it's a compact storm with sustained winds of 60 mph. But this storm has been increasing quicker than forecast since it formed. And the center of the official path would take "Chris" between Cuba and the Florida Keys by Sunday. (See link below.)
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/084607.shtml?5day?large
"Chris" will be the next major weather headline. If this storm ends up in the center of the NHC's cone between Cuba and the Florida Keys, this will be ugly. A long track compact storm could deepen rapidly over the loop current and once in the Gulf it has to hit somewhere. Far enough west or northwest in the Gulf and hang onto your wallets. Even without damage to oil rigs, the possibility will push speculators to drive prices higher. Best case scenario is a Cuban landfall to take some of the wind out of "Chris".
You have to really feel for Floridians who have to be anxious over this storm already. Check out NBC and Channel 3's WeatherPlus for the latest on "Chris" at this link: http://wrcbtv.com/news/weather/index.cfm
Click on the WeatherPlus icon and you are all set.

Today: Near record highs this afternoon with isolated showers and storms. Highs near 97.
Tonight: Storms fade, partly cloudy overnight. Low: 75
Thursday: Steamy with isolated showers and storms. Highs near 96.
Friday: Partly cloudy with 30% chance for scattered storms. High: 95.
Saturday and Sunday: Partly cloudy with a 40% chance for scattered storms. Highs both days in the low to mid 90s.