Sunshine Returns Later Today; Warmer

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DENSE FOG IN SPOTS: The NWS has issued a dense fog advisory for parts of Central Alabama this morning… checking the SKYCAM network it seems like the fog is not especially widespread, but where it has developed visibilities are very limited. Low clouds and fog this morning should give way to a partly sunny sky today with a high in the mid 70s. No rain expected for our part of the state… showers continue this morning mainly south of I-85 and east of I-65 over Southeast Alabama.

MID-WEEK: We warm into the low 80s tomorrow and Wednesday with a partly sunny sky both days. The main moisture axis should remain east of Alabama, and these two days should be mostly dry for Alabama, although I sure can’t rule out a few widely scattered afternoon showers Wednesday as moisture levels begin to rise.

Pretty much the same situation Thursday. The high will be close to 80 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds, and a few spots could see an afternoon shower.

LATE IN THE WEEK: Models develop a deep cold core upper low over the Midwest by Friday. The GFS has the ULL over Missouri, with the ECMWF over South Dakota. One way or another this should push a slow moving cold front into Alabama Friday, meaning a change to much cooler weather and a chance of rain. The GFS is printing a high of only 65 degrees Friday for Birmingham, and some parts of Northwest Alabama will have a hard time getting out of the 50s. No severe weather along the cold front, and probably not much thunder. Just periods of rain in the cooler air Friday.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The good news is that the idea of a late season frost/freeze threat is off the table for now with the upper system pretty far northwest of Alabama. We had some concern last week that we could drop well down into the 30s early Saturday morning, but with clouds and some rain we figure the low will be in the 40s. Still very chilly for May, but not a threat for crops.

Saturday for now looks cloudy and cool, with some rain at times. The GFS hints the most widespread rain Saturday will be over the eastern half of Alabama. The high will remain in the 60s, way below average for early May.

With the upper pattern blocked, I am not sure the weather will be much different Sunday. Clouds will stay in place, along with some risk of rain mainly for East Alabama. The high Sunday afternoon will be in the 67-70 degree range.

RACE WEEKEND: This is the big weekend at Talladega, and the positive news is that heat won’t be a problem. Highs Friday through Sunday should be in the 60s with a cloudy sky. Unfortunately there will be rain to deal with at times. The highest probability of rain comes Friday and Saturday… Sunday’s forecast is a bit uncertain due to model differences, but I think we need to mention at least some risk of showers Sunday. A decent chance they get the races in, but rain delays are a very real possibility.

A dry slot should bring rain-free weather back to Alabama early next week with highs back in the 70s. See the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and more details.

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I will be doing a weather program this morning at Centreville Middle School in Bibb County… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: warmer

Category: Alabama's Weather