Beneficial Rain For Alabama Tonight; Dry Weekend Ahead
RADAR CHECK: We have a few spotty showers over Alabama this afternoon, but a decent part of the state is dry with a mostly cloudy sky. Temperatures are generally in the upper 60s. Rain will become widespread across the state tonight ahead of an upper trough/surface front.
We also note SPC maintains a low end, marginal risk (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for the southwest corner of the state late this afternoon and tonight. Some of the heavier storms there could produce strong, gusty winds. An isolated, brief tornado can’t be ruled out.
Rain will end early tomorrow morning from northwest to southeast across Alabama as the front pushes through. Highs will be the 67-71 degree range for most places today and tomorrow.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Perfect weather for the Deep South with sunny pleasant days and clear cool nights. Colder spots across North Alabama could reach the mid to upper 30s early Saturday morning, otherwise lows will be in the 40s. The high Friday will be in the mid to upper 60s, then close to 70 Saturday, followed by low to mid 70s Sunday.
NEXT WEEK: A major pattern change is ahead for North America. The ridge that has been keeping the Deep South warm and mostly dry will be replaced by a deep, long wave upper trough. A surface front will bring showers Tuesday night, followed by much colder air. Highs drop into the 50s Thursday and Friday, with lows in the 30s for much of North Alabama… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: A broad area of low pressure over the central Caribbean Sea (Invest 99L) continues to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next day or two while the system moves slowly westward into the western Caribbean Sea.
Afterward, further development is likely while the disturbance meanders over the western Caribbean Sea through the weekend. The system is expected to turn slowly northwestward by early next week. Interests across the western and northwestern Caribbean Sea should monitor the progress of this system. Regardless of development, heavy rains are expected over Jamaica and the Cayman Islands during the next day or so. An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this system tomorrow morning. NHC gives the system a 90 percent chance of development; the name will be Sara.
A few notes…
*There is a decent chance this system will be a hurricane in the southern Gulf of Mexico early next week.
*Most global model ensemble members suggest it could directly affect South Florida by the middle of next week.
*The projected upper air pattern next week will likely keep this system well to the south of the central Gulf Coast (Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach) with no impact there other than dangerous rip currents.
*Until the system actually develops and data is acquired from Hurricane Hunter aircraft, it’s possible to know the track or intensity. These are just initial ideas.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: A perfect night for high school playoff games Friday night. A clear sky with temperatures falling through the 50s.
Saturday, Auburn hosts LA-Monroe at Jordan-hare Stadium (11:45a CT kickoff)… expect a sun filled sky with temperatures rising from the mid 60s at kickoff, to near 70 by the final whistle.
Saturday, Alabama hosts Mercer (1p CT kickoff) at Bryant-Denny Stadium/Saban Field. The sky will be sunny with temperatures in the 67-70 degree range.
UAB plays at Memphis Saturday night (7p CT kickoff). The sky will be clear with temperatures falling from the low 60s at kickoff into the low 50s by the fourth quarter.
ON THIS DATE IN 1833: In 1833, observers were familiar with the Leonid meteor shower, but the event that year was very intense and leads to the first formulation of a theory on the origin of meteors. By some estimates, the 1833 Leonid meteor shower had 240,000 meteors in a nine-hour period.
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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