A Few Strong Storms Later Today Over Northwest Alabama

HOT, HUMID DAY AHEAD: We expect a pretty decent amount of sun across Alabama today with a high around 90 degrees this afternoon, but a few pop up storms are possible during the peak of the heat. The better chance of thunderstorms is across the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama, and SPC has a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe storms defined for areas north of a line from Hamilton to Decatur to Huntsville. A disturbance could bring a few thunderstorms there with strong gusty winds.

South of the marginal risk, storms will be isolated; odds of any one spot getting wet are only about 15-25 percent.

TOMORROW THROUGH SATURDAY: The air aloft will be a bit colder, and the air more unstable. We expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms tomorrow through Saturday, mostly from noon to midnight. The chance of any one location seeing rain each day is 55-65 percent, and highs will drop back into the mid to upper 80s with a more limited amount of sun.

SUNDAY AND NEXT WEEK: An upper ridge begins to build across the Deep South, meaning increasing amounts of sun and higher heat levels, and fewer showers Sunday and through the first half of next week. Highs will be mostly in the low 90s, although a few places could reach the mid 90s. Afternoon showers and storms will likely be pretty scarce Sunday through Tuesday. Then, the ridge weakens a bit and scattered afternoon thunderstorms will increase Wednesday through Friday. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: Tropical Storm Grace, with winds of 65 mph, is very close to Grand Cayman this morning. It is moving to the west, and will cross the Yucatan Peninsula tomorrow, then moving into the coast of Mexico far south of Brownsville, Texas Friday night. It is expected to be a category one hurricane at both landfall points. While Grace will remain far south of the U.S.. it will bring a high danger of rip currents to the Central Gulf Coast Friday.

Tropical Storm Henri also has winds of 65 mph in the Atlantic; it is currently 160 miles south of Bermuda. It will move westward through Friday, but will take a sharp turn to then north Friday night, staying east of the U.S. as a category one hurricane.

We see no tropical trouble for the Central Gulf Coast through the next seven days, but keep in mind the peak of the hurricane season runs through September and early October. We still have a long way to go.

ON THIS DATE IN 1983: Hurricane Alicia made landfall at category three strength on the southwestern end of Galveston Island, Texas. Alicia’s eye passed just west of Downtown Houston, producing widespread damage. Thousands of homes were destroyed. In Downtown Houston, nearly all skyscrapers saw the loss of approximately half of lower-level windows, littering the urban streets with debris. Widespread power outages and flooding impacted much of Southeast Texas, with observed rainfall totals peaking at 9.95 inches. In addition to the strong winds, rough surf, and heavy rain, Alicia also generated 22 tornadoes centered around the Houston–Galveston area; most were rated F0, but the strongest, an F2, tore through Corsicana farther north.

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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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