Dry Streak Record Tied Today

WE TIE THE RECORD TODAY: For Birmingham, today will be the 52nd consecutive day without measurable rain; that ties the record of 52 consecutive dry days set in 1924… and we will break that record tomorrow as drought conditions continue to intensify across Alabama.

We note December 1924, after that long dry spell, was very wet and stormy with 6.89″ of rain; long range computer guidance suggests the same thing could very well happen this year (more about that later). But, rain won’t return for at least the next five days.

DROUGHT EMERGENCY CONTINUES: A drought emergency remains in effect for all 67 Alabama counties. No outdoor burning… it is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. Specifically, the regulation prohibits any prescribed burns, any campfire or bonfire, any trash or debris fires, or any other open burning. If convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.00.

RADAR CHECK: We do actually have rain on radar this morning, but it is confined to the area near the Gulf Coast…

Light rain over Mobile and Baldwin counties will end later this morning. And, up this way, lingering morning clouds will give way to a sunny afternoon with a high in the low 70s.

TOMORROW THROUGH THE WEEKEND: Sunny days, clear nights, no hope for rain. Highs in the low 70s tomorrow and Friday, but dropping into the 60s over the weekend as the coolest air so far this season settles in. Lows will be generally in the 40s, but many places drop into the 30s at daybreak Sunday, with potential for a freeze for colder spots.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the high school playoff games Friday, a clear sky with temperatures falling from the low 60s at kickoff into the upper 40s by the second half.

Alabama hosts Mississippi State Saturday (11:00a CT kickoff); the sky will be sunny with temperatures rising from near 62 at kickoff, to 68 by the fourth quarter.

Auburn travels to Athens, GA to take on the Georgia Bulldogs (2:30p CT kickoff)… a perfect day for football. About 65 degrees at kickoff, dropping back into the upper 50s by the final whistle.

NEXT WEEK: Still dry for the first half of the week with highs around 70 and lows in the 40s. But, the long awaited “pattern flip” will open the door for rain producing systems by late week, and most the GFS and the ECMWF (Euro) suggest a chance of rain/storms in the November 18/19 time frame. No way to resolve timing or details, or if there will be a severe weather threat. Just good to see a chance of rain on the board.

LONG RANGE: European ensemble guidance continue to show potential for active weather in late November and December; the ensemble mean shows over 6 inches of rain for Birmingham…

AT THE BEACH: Rain ends later today, then expect sunny days and fair nights tomorrow through early next week from Panama City Beach to Gulf Shores with highs mostly in the 70s. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected through early next week.

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.

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I have weather programs today at Deer Valley Elementary… and Bluff Park Elementary… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, dry

Category: Alabama's Weather