Rain Tapers Off This Afternoon

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RIGHT NOW: Rain is falling across most of Alabama west of I-65 this morning. Our Skywatcher in Bear Creek, in Northwest Alabama, reports a storm total of 1.71″, consistent with our forecast of 1 to 2 inches of rain with this system. But, radar trends suggest that rain totals today for the rest of the state might be lighter; in the 1/2 to 1 inch range for many communities. Still, the intensities will be increasing as the sun comes up. In fact, watch the Weather Xtreme video and you will see a very large amount of shear in place across the state, and if by chance we get some surface based instability in here later today, a strong to severe storm can’t be ruled out. SPC does not have a slight risk in place, but only low end (5 percent) severe weather probabilities for the state today. We will be watching the radar trends; remember, when it comes to thunderstorms expected the unexpected.

The rain will end from west to east later today, and all of the rain should be out of the state by late afternoon. Clouds will linger through the night and we begin to turn cooler.

THE WEEKEND: With a strong upper trough passing overhead tomorrow, you have to figure the clouds will linger much of the day with temperatures holding in the 50s. If the sun can break out tomorrow afternoon, we might see low 60s. The day will also feature a cool northwest breeze. The sky will clear statewide tomorrow night, and Sunday promises to be a nice day with ample sunshine and a high around 70 degrees.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: We are now confident the rain will be over for most of the high school games around the state tonight, although some lingering light rain will be possible during the first half for stadiums near the Georgia border. Otherwise, the weather will be cloudy and cool with temperatures falling from the low 60s into the 50s by the fourth quarter.

Tomorrow, UAB will be in Huntington, West Virginia to play Marshall at 11:00 a.m. A good chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm with a kickoff temperature of 60 degrees. Tennessee plays Alabama at 2:30 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, expect gradual clearing during the game with a kickoff temperature around 60, falling into the mid to upper 50s at the final whistle. Auburn will be at LSU for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Clear and cool weather is the story with 63 degrees at kick off and falling into the 50s during the second half.

NEXT WEEK: A trough aloft will bring some risk of a shower Monday night, but rain amounts, if any, should be light and spotty. The weather Tuesday and Wednesday will be dry and mild, but a significant storm system will impact the state at the end of the week with a chance of heavy rain and strong storms by Thursday night and Friday. The weather turns sharply colder on Halloween… see the Weather Xtreme video for the day by day forecast through the Halloween weekend.

STORM ALERT XTREME: Want to be trained as a storm spotter? Want to join the ABC 33/40 Skywatcher team? Our annual training event, Storm Alert Xtreme, is coming up on Saturday November 14 at the BJCC during the annual Birmingham International Auto Show. You will be trained by the best SKYWARN trainer in the nation, our own Brian Peters (he has trained over 6,000 Alabama storm spotters over the years). We encourage all of our Skywatchers to attend this every year; you simply cannot get enough training. We will begin at 9:30, and be out by 3:30. And, everyone that attends Storm Alert Xtreme gets free admission to the Alabama International Auto Show. There is no admission charge, and no need to register. Just show up, but get there early for a good seat. We had a packed house last year.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 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. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left.

Back on the road today… I will be speaking at Heritage Health Care in Tuscaloosa, and then to a group of Girl Scounts at Southminster School in Vestavia. The afternoon edition of the Weather Xtreme video should be posted by 3:30 or so… enjoy the day!

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