Midday Nowcast: Mainly Sunny and Hot

Afternoon temperatures will remain in the 90s today and tomorrow, but we will mention some risk of isolated afternoon showers or storms both days. These could provide some temporary heat relief, but still most location will remain dry. Rain chances are in the 20-30% range. We note there is a heat advisory in effect for portions of Alabama today, with heat index values climbing above the 105° danger range.

BIRMINGHAM ALMANAC: For August 29th, the average high for Birmingham is 90° and the average low is 70°. The record high is 101° set in 1990, while the record low is 52° set in 1992. We average 0.13” of precipitation on this date, and the record value is 2.69” set in 1950.

ACROSS THE USA: Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding are possible across the Upper Midwest, central Plains, and Mid-Atlantic today. There is an increased threat for heavy rain and flooding in the western Gulf Coast. Above average heat should persist through Friday in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys with little relief overnight.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND: Expect highs in the mid 90s Saturday, and low 90s Sunday and Monday as heat levels slowly begin to come down as the upper ridge weakens. We will bring the chance for random, scattered showers ands thunderstorms all three days. Most of the showers and storms will come during the afternoon and evening hours, generally between 2PM-10PM. Odds of any one spot seeing rain each day is in the 30-40 percent range, nothing unusual for the start of September in Alabama.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: UAB kicks off their season tonight; they take on Alcorn State at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham (7:00p CT kickoff)… just a small risk of a shower during the first quarter, otherwise the sky will be mostly fair with temperatures falling through the 80s, reaching the 70s by the fourth quarter.

Jacksonville State will host Coastal Carolina this evening (7:00p CT kickoff); same situation there. Small risk of a shower early in the game, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling into the 70s by the fourth quarter.

Alabama hosts Western Kentucky Saturday evening at Bryant-Denny Stadium (6:00p CT kickoff)… a brief shower or storm can’t be ruled out during the first half, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling from near 89 degrees at kickoff to the upper 70s by the final whistle.

Auburn will host Alabama A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium (6:30p CT kickoff)… again a shower or storm is possible (but not likely) during the first half, otherwise mostly fair with upper 80s at kickoff, and upper 70s by the fourth quarter.

Troy will host Nevada Saturday evening (6:00p CT kickoff)… an outside risk of a shower or storm during the first half, otherwise fair with temperatures falling from around 90 degrees at kickoff, to near 80 by the final whistle.

NEXT WEEK: The heat ridge will continue to shift to the west and we are forecasting highs in the 80s over the northern half of Alabama Tuesday through Friday… South Alabama will see low 90s. The risk of scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms will continue through the week, again, pretty typical of early September in Alabama.

AT THE BEACH: Routine late summer weather for the Alabama and Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. Random, daily afternoon showers and storms and highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Rip current threats remain low for most locations this week, but of course pay attention to the Rip Current Flag Warning System at each beach as conditions can change through out the day.

IN THE TROPICS: A tropical wave over the central Tropical Atlantic Ocean is producing some disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by early next week while it moves westward at 10 to 15 mph and approaches the Lesser Antilles. The system is then forecast to move westward to west-northwestward across portions of the eastern Caribbean Sea during the middle part of next week. Formation chance through 7 days…medium…40 percent.

Next names up is Francine.

WORLD TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation outside the U.S. was 119.8F at Kuwait International Airport, Kuwait. The lowest observation was -79.1F at Dome A, Antarctica.

CONTIGUOUS TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation was 115F at Tecopa, CA. The lowest observation was 14F at Peter Sinks, UT.

Tags: ANC, featured, hot

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS