Sun, Heat, Storms
HOT SUMMER DAYS: Today will be the 14th consecutive day with a high of 90 degrees or higher for Birmingham… our last day below 90 was July 6 with the high was 85. Over the weekend, the Birmingham reached 98 degrees Saturday; that is the hottest temperature so far this summer.
Today will be another hot one, with upper 90s likely in many places… some West Alabama communities could touch 100 degrees. And, a few storms will fire up during the heat of the day in widely scattered spots. Typical summer weather… read this essay to learn more about how summer weather forecasts work if you are new.
REST OF THE WEEK: The overall idea is that the heat ridge across the Deep South will weaken a bit, the air aloft will be a bit cooler, and there should be a general increase in the number of scattered showers and storms each day, with lower heat levels. Still, it won’t rain everywhere each day, but your chance getting wet will be higher through mid-week. Interesting to note some GFS runs keep us in the 80s Wednesday.
THE WEEKEND: The ridge grows a little stronger, and we will broad brush the weekend forecast with the usual summer elements. Hot, hazy, humid, a few afternoon storms in scattered spots. Highs in the 90s.
NEXT WEEK: Not much change; typical dog day weather continues. Trying to identify small changes in thunderstorm coverage and placement is very hard to do days in advance since very subtle upper air features can make a big difference in observed weather. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
AT THE BEACH: Routine summer weather on the coast this week from Panama City Beach west to Gulf Shores… about 7 to 9 hours of sunshine each day, with the usual risk of a passing storm from time to time. The image below was captured yesterday at Orange Beach by Anthony Bray
Highs on the immediate coast will be in the upper 80s, with mid 90s just a few miles inland. The sea water temperature early this morning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is 84 degrees.
TROPICS: Typical El Nino conditions… the Atlantic basin remains very quiet this week, with most of the action over in the Pacific.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. We will produce this week’s show tonight at 8:30 CT… you can watch it on “James Spann 24/7” on cable systems around the state, or on the web here.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
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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