A Midday That Could Be Pretty Nice If There Wasn’t Smoke In The Air

A NICE MIDDAY IF IT WASN’T FOR THE SMOKE
Currently across Central Alabama, skies are partly to mostly clear for the northern-half of the area, with move cloud coverage in the southern parts. Temperatures are currently ranging in the mid 60s to the low 70s across the area at 12:30 PM. For some parts of the area, smoke from wildfires are making the skies dull and somewhat hard to breathe out there. In my neighborhood up in North Jefferson County, smoke from the fires located in Warrior and in the Brookside area are keeping it real hazy.

THE RAIN-FREE STREAK CONTINUES
Today will mark the 54th consecutive day of no rain for the Birmingham area, the longest on record. The last time that measurable rain at the Birmingham Airport was back on September 13th, when a total of 0.32 inches fell. The last time we had a 24-hour rainfall total over 1 inch was back on July 30th when we had 1.33 inches. According to the latest drought monitor data, 52% of Alabama is now classified under an “exceptional” or “extreme” drought condition, which is pretty much all of the northern half of the state. Be sure to conserve water as well, as the Birmingham Water Works remains in a “Stage 4 Drought Emergency.”

NO OUTDOOR BURNING AT ALL
A Drought Emergency continues in effect, banning any outdoor burning for the northern two-thirds of the state. A Fire Alert remains in effect for the whole state. Click here for more information.

BIRMINGHAM’S CLIMATOLOGY AND RECORDS
The normal high for November 11th is 66, while the normal low is 43. The record high for today was set back in 1896 at 84. The record low was set back in 1926 at 25.

REMAINDER OF TODAY
A few high clouds will float across the skies of Central Alabama, but it will continue to be dry for the area. Afternoon highs will be in the low 70s for most, with a few spots reaching the mid 70s in the southern parts. Skies will be partly to mostly clear across the area for the evening and overnight hours, with low ranging in the 30s and 40s.

FRIDAY NIGHT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Skies will be partly to mostly clear throughout the evening hours and temperatures will fall quickly after the sun goes below the horizon. Temperatures will start off in the mid 50s to the low 60s at 6PM, and fall into the upper 40s to the low 50s by 10PM. Definitely a night where the concession stands will sell a good amount of hot chocolate and coffee.

SATURDAY’S FORECAST
Skies will be mostly clear for the first half of the weekend, but temperatures will be a little cooler compared to today. Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 60s for the most part, with a few spots touching 70 degrees. A clear and chilly night for Saturday night, with overnight lows dropping into the 30s and 40s. A few of the colder spots may reach freezing or a little lower.

GULF COAST FORECAST
Sunny days and fair nights on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach through next week with highs mostly in the 70s. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

ON THIS DAY IN 1955
An early arctic outbreak set many November temperature records across Oregon and Washington. The severe cold damaged shrubs and fruit trees. Readings plunged to near zero in western Washington, and dipped to 19 degrees below zero in the eastern part of the state.

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Forecaster: Scott Martin (Twitter: @scottmartinwx)

Category: Alabama's Weather