Chance of showers, possible thunderstorms for start of Masters Week

An approaching front and cut-off low pressure system will increase the chance for showers and possible thunderstorms in the Augusta area as Masters Week begins.

While Monday's high temperature for the tournament's first practice round will be in the low 80s, Rachel Cobb, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Columbia, said there is a chance of severe storms later in the day, with gusty winds and hail possible.

"It looks like it won't come in until the afternoon, and the activity will last until the evening hours maybe even overnight," Cobb said. "I think the worst of it will be between 4 p.m. and midnight."

The rain chance in the early afternoon is "about 50 percent and then it goes up from there" to "80 percent by mid to late evening," she said.

There is a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms for the second practice round on Tuesday and "that may go up," Cobb said. The high will be in the upper 70s to near 80.

Wednesday and Thursday look to be the best days weather-wise.

Both days are expected to be dry with highs around 80. Skies will be sunny on Wednesday for the Par-3 Contest and on Thursday for the first round of the tournament.

Cobb said another weather system is expected to move into the area late Thursday into Friday, with a chance of rain returning. There is a 35 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms for the second round on Friday. The high will be near 80.

The forecast for Saturday's third round calls for a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high near 80.

Cobb said there is a "much better chance of showers and thunderstorms" for the final round on Sunday, with the chance of rain increasing to 40 percent. The high will be near 80.