A Good Bit of Shower Activity Out There This Afternoon

RADAR CHECK: At 1:36 pm, we have a good bit of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms across much of the area except for the northeast corner of Central Alabama. The heaviest activity was over southern and western parts of Bibb County and down into northern Perry County. Temperatures as of the 1 pm roundup were in the lower 70s to the lower 80s. Alexander City and Auburn were tied as the cool spots at 73º. Troy and Tuscaloosa were tied as the warm spots at 82º. Birmingham was at 80º.

REST OF TODAY: We can continue to expect widespread showers and thunderstorms throughout the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening hours, some of which could be heavy and may lead to some localized minor flooding issues. Highs in the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Rain chances will continue to be elevated through the rest of the evening and late-night, but will be decreasing through the overnight hours. Lows in the upper 60s to the lower 70s.

SATURDAY’S WEATHER: Showers will once again be likely at times throughout the day tomorrow, but much of the activity looks to be lighter in intensity. A few storms may develop with the daytime heating, but most of the heavier activity will most likely occur over the extreme eastern parts of Central Alabama. Highs in the lower to mid 80s.

THE TROPICS: At 10 am CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Hurricane Earl was located near latitude 34.2 North, longitude 61.0 West. Earl is moving toward the northeast near 22 mph (35 km/h) and is forecast to accelerate further toward the northeast today. Earl is then forecast to slow down considerably Saturday night through Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph, with higher gusts. Slight fluctuations in intensity are possible today. Earl is expected to complete its transition to a powerful hurricane-force extratropical low on Saturday and then steadily weaken through early Monday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 961 mb (28.38 inches).

Central Tropical Atlantic… An area of low pressure located about 1000 miles east of the Leeward Islands is producing limited shower and thunderstorm activity, mostly displaced well to the northeast of the center of the low. Strong upper-level winds are expected to prevent significant development of this system while it moves generally west-northwestward or northwestward for the next day or so. The disturbance is then forecast to merge with a non-tropical system over the weekend.
* Formation chance through 48 hours… low… 10 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days… low… 10 percent.

Eastern Tropical Atlantic… A tropical wave located several hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms. No substantial development of this system is expected through the middle of next week while it moves westward or west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours… low… near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days… low… 10 percent.

Near the Coast of Africa… Another tropical wave is forecast to move off the coast of Africa by early next week. Some gradual development of the wave will be possible after it moves over water and heads generally westward over the far eastern Atlantic.
* Formation chance through 48 hours… low… near 0 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days… low… 20 percent.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Tropical