Mixed Sun/Clouds; Scattered Storms

HUMID SUMMER DAYS: Very moist air will hang over Alabama through the weekend, and we will still mention scattered showers and thunderstorms each day in the forecast. But, the upper trough that has been parked over the region has lifted out, and we expect the showers to be a little more scattered in nature in coming days. Most of them (but not necessarily all) will come from 1:00 until 9:00 p.m., and the odds of any one spot getting wet will be in the 30/40 percent range each day. No way of knowing in advance exactly when and where the storms fire up; you just have to watch radar trends closely if you have something planned outdoors.

We do note SPC has most of Alabama in a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms tomorrow; a weak short wave and pocket of colder air aloft will bring potential for a few storms with strong winds and small hail.

Highs over the weekend will be in the 85-90 degree range.

NEXT WEEK: Not much change. The main westerly winds aloft (the jet stream, as most know it) will remain well to the north of Alabama, so very humid air stays in place. Look for partly sunny days with the usual risk of random, scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Highs most days will be somewhere between 87 and 90 degrees. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

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

DUSTY DAYS: THE SAL (Saharan Air Layer) covers Alabama today. The dust, with origins from the African continent, is mostly several thousand feet off the ground, and will give the sky a hazy appearance. There can be some reduction in air quality, but it will not impact most people. We had some glorious sunsets last night over North and East Alabama, and expect the same this evening due to the scattering of the sunlight.

The SAL moves into the Deep South just about every year. This is nothing unusual, and no “emergency” despite some of the media hysteria.

ON THIS DATE IN 1957: Hurricane Audrey was in the western Gulf of Mexico; a category three storm. Landfall would come the following day, June 27, between the mouth of the Sabine River and Cameron, Louisiana,. It would go on to cause unprecedented destruction across the region. Prior to making landfall, Audrey severely disrupted offshore drilling operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Damages from offshore oil facilities alone was estimated at $16 million. Damage from the surge alone extended 25 miles inland. The rough seas killed nine people offshore after capsizing the boat they were in. Further inland in Louisiana, the storm spawned two tornadoes, causing additional damage. Audrey also dropped heavy rainfall, peaking at 10.63″ near Basile. In Louisiana and Texas, where Audrey first impacted, the damage toll was $128 million. The total death toll was 416.

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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos