Active Storms Later Today
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RADAR CHECK: Strong storms are moving into extreme North Alabama at daybreak. These storms are producing lots of lightning and torrential rain, but they have been showing a slow weakening trend.
These storms should slowly fizzle out this morning, but they will lay down a boundary that will serve as a focus for new storm development this afternoon. The air should become very unstable across North/Central Alabama later today (surface based CAPE values in excess of 3,000 j/kg), and storms that fire up could produce hail and strong, gusty winds. A wet microburst is possible as well; that is an area of very strong downward thunderstorm winds that can produce downed trees and power lines in small areas. There is no significant tornado threat with no surface based helicity and very little shear.
SPC has a pretty good part of North and Central Alabama in the standard “slight risk” of severe weather later today and tonight.
TOMORROW: An upper high remains west of Alabama, and ripples of energy rotating around the periphery of the high will keep the weather unsettled tomorrow with scattered to numerous showers and storms. And, like today, a few strong storms are possible tomorrow afternoon with potential for hail and gusty winds. The high should be in the mid to upper 80s.
OUR WEEKEND: A moist, unstable airmass remains in place, and we will roll with the standard summer forecast both days. Mixed sun and clouds, and scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. The chance of any one spot getting wet both days is about one in three, with the best chance of a storm between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. A late night or morning shower can’t be totally ruled out, however. Afternoon highs will be in the 87 to 90 degree range.
NEXT WEEK: No real reason to change the forecast for most of the week… small scale features that can change the coverage and placement of scattered showers and storms just can’t be identified far in advance this time of the year. Highs will remain mostly in the upper 80s.
GULF COAST WEATHER: Looks good… mostly sunny days, fair nights from Panama City over to Gulf Shores through the weekend with only isolated showers and storms. Highs on the immediate coast will be in the 80s, and the sea water temperature this morning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is 79 degrees.
TROPICAL WEATHER: A disturbance over the Bay of Campeche is expected to drift west into Mexico; elsewhere the Atlantic basin is quiet.
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Category: Alabama's Weather
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
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