Very Humid With Occasional Summer Soakers
RADAR CHECK: A large batch of rain and storms (a Mesoscale Convective System, or MCS) has been moving through Alabama early this morning with gusty winds, heavy rain, and lots of lightning. Flash flood warnings are in effect at sunrise for parts of Jefferson, Shelby, Cullman, Winston, and Walker counties. Some communities have picked up over three inches of rain over the past 6 hours with this batch of storms. The rain tapers off and ends by mid-morning, but another batch of storms is likely late this afternoon and tonight; SPC has defined a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms for the northern 2/3 of the state… these storms will have the potential to bring strong straight line winds and hail as they pass through.
We will also have to watch for more flooding issues with the afternoon and evening storms since the ground is now totally saturated in many places. Otherwise, the sky will feature more clouds than sun today with a high in the mid 80s.
REST OF THE WEEK: Tomorrow should be a drier today, but a few scattered storms could still form during the afternoon and evening hours. Same thing Friday; some sun during the day with scattered showers and storms possible. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: We will keep the classic summer forecast going for Saturday and Sunday… partly sunny days with pop up showers and storms around, mostly from about 2:00 until 10:00 p.m. Chance of any one spot getting rain both days is 40-50 percent, and highs will be in the 86-90 degree range.
NEXT WEEK: An upper high will build over the Deep South, meaning rising heat levels and fewer showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will reach the low to mid 90s most days… See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: All remains very quiet across the Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the weekend.
RAIN TOTALS: Radar estimates suggest 5-7 inches of rain came down yesterday around Hokes Bluff and Glencoe in Etowah County, with very significant flooding across much of the county. Some observations early this morning include 4.80″ in the Oxmoor Valley section of Birmingham, 3.37″ at Hueytown, 3.11″ at Morris (northern Jefferson County), and 2.66″ at Bessemer.
ON THIS DATE IN 2001: Tropical Storm Allison hits Houston, Texas, for the second time in three days. Louisiana and southern Texas were inundated with rain. Baton Rouge received 18 inches over just a couple of days. Some portions of Texas racked up 36 inches by June 11.
BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly weather show all about weather anytime on your favorite podcast app. James Spann and a team of meteorologists from around the nation bring on interesting guests; a great podcast for weather geeks/dweebs/weenies.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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