A Few Strong Storms Possible Friday Afternoon/Evening Over North Alabama
RADAR CHECK: We have a few widely scattered showers and thunderstorms over the southern 2/3 of Alabama this afternoon; they are moving southward and most of them will dissipate after sunset. Otherwise we have a mix of sun and clouds today with temperatures ranging from the 80s over the northern counties to the upper 90s around Mobile and Dothan.
The weather won’t change much tomorrow, but by Friday afternoon and evening an approaching front thunderstorms could increase in number over the northern third of the state. SPC has defined a “marginal risk” of severe storms there due to the potential for strong, gusty winds.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The front will sag southward Saturday, and the European global model suggests this will be the day with the highest coverage of showers and storms. Still, it won’t rain everywhere… any one spot stands a 40-50 percent chance of seeing some rain. Then, a drier airmass works into the state Sunday with showers becoming fewer in number. Highs will be in the low 90s both days.
NEXT WEEK: A dry airmass will mean rain-free weather for most of the state during the first half of the week with lows in the 60s over the northern counties. A few isolated showers or storms could show up by Thursday and Friday, but still no sign of any really widespread rain. Highs will remain generally in the low 90s… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Ernesto is now a category one hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph; the center is about 225 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The system is moving to the northwest at 16 mph, and the turn to the north will continue tonight. The latest NHC track has Ernesto near Bermuda early Saturday morning.
Ernesto is no threat to the U.S… and the rest of the Atlantic basin is very quiet.
ON THIS DATE IN 1953: Hurricane Barbara hits North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane. Damage from the storm was relatively minor, totaling around $1.3 million (1953 USD). Most of it occurred in North Carolina and Virginia from crop damage. The hurricane left several injuries, some traffic accidents, as well as seven fatalities in the eastern United States; at least two were due to electrocution from downed power lines. Offshore Atlantic Canada, a small boat sunk, killing its crew of two.
ON THIS DATE IN 1969: Hurricane Camille, a powerful, deadly, and destructive hurricane formed just west of the Cayman Islands on this day. It rapidly intensified, and by the time it reached western Cuba the next day, it was a Category 3 hurricane. Hurricane Camille was spawned on August 5th by a tropical wave off the coast of Africa. The storm became a tropical disturbance four days later on the 9th and a tropical storm on the 14th.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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