Hot Weather Continues; Rain Chances Increase By Sunday

STILL HOT: We are forecasting highs in the mid 90s each afternoon through Friday as a strong upper ridge holds across the Southeast U.S. Partly to mostly days, fair nights, and just a few isolated thunderstorms during the peak of the daytime heating process. Chance of any one spot getting wet today is 20 percent, and only 10 percent tomorrow and Friday.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will feature a mix of sun and clouds, and a few scattered showers or storms are possible, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. But, on Sunday, rain chances will increase as a tropical feature moves northward out of the Gulf of Mexico. Highest coverage will most likely come over the southern two-thirds of the state where deep tropical moisture will be in place. The high Saturday will be close to 90, then falling into the low to mid 80s Sunday with the increase in clouds and rain.

NEXT WEEK: Beneficial rain is very possible for much of Alabama Monday through Wednesday as tropical moisture will cover the state, and the tropical system slowly works northward. But, with a tropical system confidence in specific weather details is low this far in advance. Too early to know the exact placement and timing of the heaviest rain across the Deep South, but the pattern certainly favors some needed rain for our state. The weather should trend drier late in the week… See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: The sky should be mostly clear for the high school games Friday night, with temperatures falling from the mid 80s at kickoff, to near 80 by the final whistle.

Saturday, Alabama travels to Columbia to take on South Carolina (2:30p CT kickoff)… the sky will be partly sunny with a kickoff temperature close to 90 degrees, then falling back slightly into the upper 80s by the fourth quarter.

Auburn hosts Kent State Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium (6:30p CT kickoff)… we can’t rule out the risk of a passing shower during the game, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling from around 88 at kickoff, into the low 80s by the game.

Jacksonville State has a home game Saturday against Eastern Washington (3:00p CT kickoff)… a few scattered showers are possible over East Alabama during the game, otherwise expect a mix of sun and clouds with 89 degrees at kickoff, falling into the mid 80s by the fourth quarter.

TROPICS: Two low latitude waves are in the Atlantic between the Lesser Antilles and the coast of Africa; for now NHC gives both of them just a low chance of development over the next five days.

Invest 95L, near the southeast Bahamas, is forecast to move into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, and NHC has upped the chance of development to 40 percent. There is a chance this becomes Tropical Storm Humberto before it moves into the central Gulf Coast late Sunday or Monday. One way or another, this feature will bring lots of rain to the Gulf Coast beginning Saturday, and then spending inland Sunday and into early next week. We will keep a close eye on it in coming days.

ON THIS DATE IN 1979: Frederic reached peak intensity in the Gulf of Mexico with a minimum barometric pressure of 943 mb and sustained winds of 130 mph, making the cyclone a Category 4 hurricane. It would make landfall on the Alabama coast the following night.

ON THIS DATE IN 1992: Hurricane Iniki struck the island of Kaua’i with winds of 145 mph and a central pressure of 27.91 inches of mercury, making it a Category 4 hurricane. Iniki is the strongest hurricane to strike the Hawaii Island in recent history.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute show anytime on your favorite podcast app. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Snapchat: spannwx

I have a weather program this morning at Maxwell Elementary in Tuscaloosa County… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, hot

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos