Wildfire Danger Remains High
DROUGHT CONDITIONS WORSEN: Today is the 22nd consecutive day with no measurable rain in Birmingham (based on data from the airport), and not a drop of rain has fallen during the month of October so far. Drought conditions will worsen in coming days with a very dry pattern continuing.
We now have a “Fire Alert” issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission for 46 North and Central Alabama counties…
“The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has upgraded the Fire Danger Warning, issuing a Fire Alert for 46 counties in north Alabama effective immediately. This order for Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston counties was issued today by the AFC. While under a Fire Alert, burn permits will be issued at the discretion of the State Forester.
According to AFC fire officials, the Fire Alert was issued because of the current drought situation, continued lack of precipitation, high probability of fuel ignition, and shortage of available firefighting manpower and resources. With this extremely dry weather, conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to our forests but also threatening and destroying homes. Over the last seven days, 307 wildfires have occurred across Alabama burning approximately 3,698 acres.
This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester, at which time conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. The Commission is urging everyone to exercise all necessary safety precautions when doing any type of outdoor burning, and to call the Alabama Forestry Commission to obtain a burn permit. While under the Fire Alert, permits for outdoor burning in these counties will be restricted and issued on an individual basis.”
REST OF THE WEEK: Still dry, with sunny pleasant days and clear cool nights. It was as cold as 37 degrees early this morning (that was the low at Black Creek); we expect lows for most places in the 45-50 degree range early tomorrow and Wednesday morning. The high will be close to 80 through mid-week, with mid 80s late in the week as the upper ridge holds.
THE WEEKEND: We will leave the forecast dry, but a surface front will be very close to the northwest corner of the state, and we might have a chance of showers over the Tennessee Valley. The air will be pretty dry; we will leave our forecast rain-free for now and watch model trends. Even if we do see a few showers, it certainly don’t be a “drought buster”. The sky will be partly sunny Saturday and Sunday with a high around 80 degrees both days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Clear for the high school games Friday night with temperatures falling from the low 70s at kickoff into the mid 60s by the fourth quarter.
Alabama will play at Tennessee in Knoxville Saturday afternoon (2:30p CT kickoff)… expect a partly sunny sky with a few widely scattered showers possible. About 78 at kickoff, falling to near 70 by the final whistle.
Auburn has the week off.
NEXT WEEK: The dry pattern continues for the first part of the week; we are seeing a few signs that we might be able to forecast at least a chance of some rain toward the end of the week.
AT THE BEACH: Sunny days, fair nights on the coast from Panama City Beach over the Gulf Shores through the weekend. Highs in the 80s… See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.
TROPICS: Tropical Storm Nicole is expected to become a hurricane tomorrow, and will be very close to Bermuda Thursday morning. From there it heads northeast out into the North Atlantic; no threat to the U.S.
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Category: Alabama's Weather
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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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