Clearing Today; Next Chance Of Rain Over The Weekend

DRIER AIR ROLLS IN LATER TODAY: Lingering showers across Alabama this morning will end soon, and we expect clearing by midday, with sunshine in full force this afternoon as dry air takes over. The high will be close to 70 degrees; the average high for October 16 at Birmingham is 75.

TOMORROW/FRIDAY: These two days will feature delightful autumn weather, with sunny pleasant days and fair chilly nights. Early morning lows will be in the 40-45 degree range, with 30s for colder spots. The high tomorrow will be in the upper 60s, followed by low 70s Friday. We should mention that clouds will return to far South Alabama Friday with rain possible by late afternoon as a tropical system approaches from the Gulf of Mexico.

RAIN RETURNS OVER THE WEEKEND: The weekend will begin with a chance of rain Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. A tropical system will be involved, which makes the confidence in the timing and intensity of the rain rather low at this point. Here are the important points for the weekend…

*A tropical low, possibly a depression or storm, is expected to form in the western Gulf of Mexico tomorrow, then moving quickly up into the Central Gulf Coast by Saturday. The behavior of this disturbance will determine our weather for the first half of the weekend.

*There are still considerable differences in global models; the American GFS shows a track over Southeast Alabama, and potentially the heaviest rain east of Alabama. However, the reliable European ECMWF model shows the tropical low moving right up into the Alabama Gulf Coast Saturday with a good soaking for all of the state. Until the system actually forms in the Gulf, the models will struggle.

*For now, our forecast will call for rain beginning Saturday statewide, and continuing Saturday night. The main window for rain for North/Central Alabama will come from about 9:00 a.m. Saturday through 3:00 a.m. Sunday. This will probably be adjusted as we get closer to the weekend.

*The amount of rain we see will depend on the intensity of the tropical low. For now, it looks like rain amounts of around 1 inch for North and Central Alabama, with 2 inches for the southern counties.

*The weather improves Sunday with the sky becoming mostly sunny. The high Saturday will be in the low 70s, followed by upper 70s Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: A cold front will bring a band of showers and thunderstorms to Alabama late Monday and Monday night. The storms could be strong, maybe even severe, but it is too early to determine the actual threat level. Most likely the main risk will come from strong straight line winds with a long line of storms ahead of the front. Then, cool, dry air returns for the rest of the week. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks Saturday (11:00a CT kickoff)… the sky will be cloudy at times, and there is some risk of a passing shower or thunderstorm during the game. Kickoff temperature near 64, rising into the upper 60s by the second half.

Alabama will host Tennessee Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa (8:00p CT kickoff)… the sky will be cloudy, and some rain is likely during the game. Temperatures will be in the upper 60s.

UAB hosts Old Dominion Saturday afternoon at Legion Field in Birmingham (3:00p CT kickoff)… the sky will be mostly cloudy, and rain could move in during the game. Kickoff temperature will be near 70 degrees, falling back into the upper 60s by the final whistle.

Jacksonville State hosts Southeast Missouri State Saturday (3:00p CT kickoff)… the sky will be mostly cloudy; rain is possible. Temperatures will fall from near 70 at kickoff, into the upper 60s by the fourth quarter.

ON THIS DATE IN 1999: Hurricane Irene moved across the Florida Keys producing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and high waves. A gust 102 mph was reported in Big Pine Key.

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I have a weather program this morning at Cullman Primary School; then I will speak to a meeting of the American Marketing Association in Birmingham at midday. Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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