· Expect a flare up of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon – one or two may attain strong intensity with gusty winds, small hail and briefly locally heavy rainfall.

· THUNDER-DOG Index around 5 to 6 today for pets sensitive to thunder.

· More storms fire across southern areas Friday, but…with nice weather moving in for Friday northern and central Vermont.

· Best weather day coming Saturday – gorgeous.

· Sunday, Monday looking wetter as a more organized storm system tracks into Vermont and lingers.

· A two-day stretch of nice weather Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday next week looks reasonably likely.

TODAY: Partial sunshine this morning. More clouds than sun this afternoon. Muggy with scattered showers and a few afternoon thunderstorms. One or two storms may be briefly strong. A high in the mid 80s. West breeze 10 mph.

TONIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. A few leftover showers diminishing through early evening. A low 60 to 65. Light north breeze.

FRIDAY: Periods of afternoon sunshine northern areas. More clouds with a chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms toward Rutland. A high in the low 80s. Light north breeze.

Looking further ahead…

FRIDAY NIGHT: Gradually clearing. Considerable valley fog. A low around 60.

SATURDAY: Partly to mostly sunny and gorgeous. A high upper 70s to near 80.

SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy. Numerous showers and a chance for thunderstorms. A low around 60. A high in the 70s.

MONDAY: Considerable clouds with a chance for lingering showers. A low around 60. A high in the 70s.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. A low around 60. A high around 80.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. A low in the 50s. A high around 80.

Average lows 55 to near 60. Normal high upper 70s to low 80s.

(Confidence factor: 5 = Good predictability 1 = shaky modeling lowered confidence)

RH/7-27[end]