Scattered Afternoon/Evening Storms Around Through The Weekend
RADAR CHECK: We have the classic case of random, scattered showers and thunderstorms across Alabama this afternoon. They are drifting slowly to the west/northwest, and some are producing heavy rain and gusty winds. But, for most of the state, it is simply another hot and dry day with temperatures in the 90s. Scattered showers and storms end after sunset; lows will be in the 70s early tomorrow.
We will maintain a good chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the forecast during the afternoon and evening hours on a daily basis through the Labor Day weekend. The key word is “random”; no way of knowing in advance exactly when and where the showers pop up. Most of them will come from about 1:00 until 10:00 p.m., during the peak of the daytime heating process.
The chance of any given spot seeing a shower or thunderstorm tomorrow is 25-35 percent, and 45-55 percent Saturday through Monday. Afternoon highs will be mostly in the mid 90s today and tomorrow, and in the low 90s over the Labor Day weekend.
NEXT WEEK: The upper ridge breaks down, and heat levels drop significantly. Highs will be mostly in the 80s Tuesday through Friday with scattered showers and storms around each day. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: A tropical wave over the central Tropical Atlantic 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. NHC now gives it a 40 percent chance of development over the next seven days.
Way too early to know if this will move into the Gulf of Mexico; it remains just something to watch now.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: UAB kicks off their season tonight; they take on Alcorn State at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham (7:00p CT kickoff)… there is some risk of a shower or thunderstorm during the first half, 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 tonight (7:00p CT kickoff); same situation there. A brief shower or storm is possible during the first half, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling through the 80s.
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 near 80 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 during the first half, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling through the 80s.
Troy will host Nevada Saturday evening (6:00p CT kickoff)… some 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.
ON THIS DATE IN 2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a category three storm over Southeast Louisiana and Mississippi. The majority of the loss of lives in Hurricane Katrina was due to flooding caused by fatal engineering flaws in the flood protection system, specifically the levee, around the city of New Orleans.
Eventually, 80% of the city, as well as large areas in neighboring parishes, were flooded for weeks. The flooding also destroyed most of New Orleans’s transportation and communication facilities, leaving tens of thousands of people who did not evacuate the city prior to landfall with little access to food, shelter, and other basic necessities.
The coast of Mississippi suffered severe damage from wind and storm surge, but received little national attention due to the situation in New Orleans. The death toll was 1,836 as a direct result of Katrina.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
About the Author (Author Profile)
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
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
