Sunday Weather Briefing Video: More Strong Storms Today, 50s in Spots by Wednesday Morning

As we move through Sunday, the impacts of Hurricane Ernesto are diminishing, with the storm now well away from Bermuda and heading into the North Atlantic. Cleanup efforts are underway on the island after Ernesto’s passage, which brought strong winds and heavy rain. In our area, we can expect a noticeable shift in the weather pattern as a cold front moves through, bringing a refreshing break from the summer heat and humidity. The highlight of the week ahead will be the Supermoon Blue Moon on Monday night, visible at 7:47 PM CDT. This rare celestial event will be a treat, so plan to step outside and enjoy the spectacle.

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT TODAY
The threat for severe weather today will be primarily in areas south of a line from Fayette to Birmingham to Anniston, with the best chances for storms occurring south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Clanton to Alex City. Showers and thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening, with the potential for damaging wind gusts and hail. The storms should taper off by late evening as the front pushes through, bringing drier air into the region.

HURRICANE ERNESTO UPDATE
Hurricane Ernesto has moved well away from Bermuda and is now headed into the open North Atlantic. After passing over Bermuda early Saturday morning, the storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and significant coastal flooding to the island. As of today, Ernesto is gradually weakening but still maintaining hurricane strength. It is expected to continue moving north-northeast before turning northeast toward southeastern Newfoundland by Monday night. Residents of Newfoundland should prepare for possible impacts, including heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous surf conditions. Meanwhile, the large circulation around Ernesto will keep generating rough surf and a heightened rip current risk along the U.S. East Coast, the Bahamas, and parts of Atlantic Canada through the early part of this week.

COOLER AND DRIER MONDAY
Monday will bring a welcome change with much cooler and drier air settling in across the region. Expect sunny skies with highs only reaching the upper 80s and a refreshing north wind keeping the humidity low. This will make for a pleasant day overall, perfect for outdoor activities. Don’t forget to look up in the evening, as the Supermoon Blue Moon will rise at 7:47 PM CDT, offering a spectacular view in the clear night sky.

Projected lows Wednesday morning

PLEASANT MIDWEEK
Tuesday and Wednesday will continue the trend of cooler mornings and comfortable afternoons. Highs will remain in the upper 80s, with low humidity making it feel even more comfortable. Overnight lows could dip into the lower 60s in some areas, providing a cool start to the mornings. Skies will be mostly clear, and rain chances are minimal, making for an enjoyable midweek period.

GRADUAL WARMING INTO THE WEEKEND
As we head toward the end of the week, temperatures will gradually start to warm up again. Thursday and Friday will see highs approaching the upper 80s, but the humidity will still be manageable. There’s a slight chance of an isolated shower as we move into the weekend, but overall, the weather looks to remain mostly dry and pleasant.

TROPICAL OUTLOOK
With Ernesto now moving away from Bermuda, the Atlantic Basin is expected to take a short break in tropical activity. However, this break may be short-lived. The week of August 26 could see increased chances for tropical development in two areas: the Central Tropical Atlantic, between the Lesser Antilles and the coast of Africa, and possibly in the Gulf of Mexico. While it’s too early to predict any specific impacts, this potential activity is something to keep an eye on as the peak of hurricane season approaches.

BEACH FORECAST
For those planning to visit the Gulf Coast, the weather looks favorable with mostly sunny skies expected through the week. Today and Monday could see a few scattered storms, particularly in the afternoon, but otherwise, it will be a great time to enjoy the beach. The water temperature remains warm in the upper 80s, with wave heights around 1 to 2 feet. The rip current risk is low, but always swim near a lifeguard and follow any local advisories. The UV index will be high, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated.

WEATHERBRAINS
Looking ahead to this week’s WeatherBrains episode, we’ll be joined by Alan Sealls, a well-known meteorologist who will be sharing insights from his fascinating presentation titled “From Juneteenth to the Sky: African Americans in Meteorology.” This episode promises to be both informative and inspiring, so be sure to tune in!

WEATHER HISTORY
On this date in 1955, Hurricane Diane continued its deadly march across the Northeast U.S., bringing catastrophic flooding to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and New England. Diane followed closely on the heels of Hurricane Connie, compounding the flooding and leading to significant loss of life and property damage. Diane became the first billion-dollar hurricane in U.S. history, with total damages exceeding $3 billion.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather