Mostly Dry Today; Lower Heat Levels Ahead
MOSTLY DRY LABOR DAY: Most of Alabama will be dry today with only isolated showers or storms over the southern third of the state this afternoon. We expect a high in the low 90s today… we note the average high for Birmingham on September 2 is 89.
Moisture levels rise tomorrow, and we will bring in the chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, mostly during the afternoon and evening hours. A few showers or storms are possible on Wednesday, but rain coverage should be much higher Thursday and Friday. Periods of rain are likely on both days with temperatures only in the mid 70s over the northern half of the state… many spots across South Alabama won’t get past the low 80s. Rain amounts tomorrow through Friday will be in the 2 inch range for much of Alabama, with potential for 2-4 inches closer to the Gulf Coast, where a trough of low pressure will set up.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A much drier airmass will push into the state Friday night, setting the state for a very pleasant weekend across the Deep South. Mostly sunny warm days and fair cool nights; highs will be in the 80s. Temperatures drop into the 50s over North Alabama early Sunday morning.
Global models suggest the weather will remain generally dry for much of the following week with seasonal temperatures… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: NHC is monitoring three areas across the Atlantic basin this morning.
*A broad area of low pressure just offshore of the upper Texas coast continues to produce some disorganized shower activity near the coast and over the adjacent waters of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. This system is expected to meander near the coast for the next couple of days, By tomorrow, the system is forecast to move inland, and development is not expected. Regardless, heavy rains could cause some flash flooding across portions of the Texas coast during the next couple of days. NHC gives it only 10 percent chance of development.
*A tropical wave along the west coast of Africa is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are forecast to gradually become more favorable for development, and a tropical depression could form in a few days while the disturbance moves slowly west-northwestward or northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. NHC gives it a 40 percent of development over the next seven days; if a depression or storm does form most global models show a turn to the north over the open Atlantic far from land.
*Disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity continues in association with a tropical wave located near the Lesser Antilles. The disturbance is expected to move westward and cross the eastern Caribbean Sea through tomorrow with little development. Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development while the system moves across the central and western Caribbean Sea during the middle and latter parts of the week, and a tropical depression could form during that time. This system could cause gusty winds and locally heavy rainfall over portions of the Lesser Antilles today. This wave has a 40 percent chance of development over the next seven days.
Most global models move the wave into the Bay of Campeche in a week or so with little development. It remains just something to watch for now.
ON THIS DATE IN 1935: The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane was an extremely powerful and devastating Atlantic hurricane that struck the southeastern United States in early September 1935. For several decades, it was the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record in terms of barometric pressure until being surpassed by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. It is one of four Category 5 hurricanes on record to strike the contiguous United States, along with Hurricane Camille (1969), Hurricane Andrew (1992), and Hurricane Michael (2018).
The hurricane passed near Long Key on Labor Day evening, September 2. The hurricane caused catastrophic damage in the upper Florida Keys, as a storm surge of approximately 18 to 20 feet swept over the low-lying islands. The hurricane’s strong winds and the surge destroyed nearly all the structures between Tavernier and Marathon. The town of Islamorada was obliterated. The hurricane claimed at least 485 lives, including about 260 World War I veterans working on a section of the Overseas Highway in a federal relief project. Bodies were recovered as far away as Flamingo and Cape Sable on the southwest tip of the Florida mainland.
ON THIS DATE IN 1985: Elena made landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, on September 2 as a Category 3 major hurricane. In Alabama Dauphin Island suffered the brunt of the storm. Storm surge was measured at 8.4 feet on the Gulf side and 3.5 feet on the bay side of Dauphin Island. Storm surge cut all the way across low lying parts of the island with severe beach erosion and damage to roads. In fact, the storm surge eroded streets, which exposed and destroyed the water and sewer pipelines underground. Nine deaths were attributed to the hurricane in four states and on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and 134 people along Elena’s path were hospitalized.
We are on a holiday schedule; just one video briefing today… but I will post fresh forecast notes here this afternoon. Enjoy the day!
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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