Rain Chances Rising; Heat Levels Dropping

UNSETTLED SUMMER WEATHER: Keep in mind despite the daily rounds of afternoon thunderstorms, a decent part of North and Central Alabama is in a drought condition…

So, news of higher rain coverage is not a bad thing for most.

A broad surface low is over the Gulf Coast region, and this, combined with colder air aloft and a more unstable atmosphere, will set up a forecast that involves scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms on a daily basis through Friday. While the highest coverage of rain will come during the afternoon and evening hours, we can’t rule out late night or morning showers in this pattern.

Please understand this is summer, and rain distribution will still be uneven due to the scattered nature of the showers and storms, but many communities will see some beneficial summer rain this week. Here is the seven day QPF (expected precipitation) from WPC…

NO EXCESSSIVE HEAT: Because of the clouds and showers, temperatures will trend downward. The high today will be at or just over 90, but we expect highs generally in the upper 80s tomorrow through Friday, which is below average for early and middle August, generally our hottest part of summer. On this date in 1935, Birmingham’s high was 104 degrees, the daily record, and a reminder we can have triple digit heat now.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Not much change; we expect a mix of sun and clouds Saturday and Sunday with scattered to numerous showers and storms both days, mainly during the afternoon and evening hours. Highs 87 to 90 degrees.

NEXT WEEK: Heights begin to rise, and showers and storms should become fewer in number with afternoon highs rising back into the low 90s. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

AT THE BEACH: Unfortunately you won’t see much sun this week on the coast from Gulf Shores over to Panama City Beach… about 1 to 3 hours of sunshine daily with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Rain could be heavy at times, and highs will be generally in the 80s. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

TROPICS: Despite the unsettled weather on the coast, tropical storm formation is not expected this week across the Atlantic basin.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. We will produce this week’s show tonight at 8:30p CT… you can watch it live here.

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I will be speaking at the annual summer workshop for distance learning meteorology students this morning at Mississippi State University… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, wet

Category: Alabama's Weather