CLOUDY FRIDAY: Most of Alabama is covered by clouds this afternoon, although the sky is sunny along the Gulf Coast. We had some drizzle in scattered spots earlier today, but there is nothing on radar this afternoon, and tonight will be generally rain-free statewide with lows in the 60s.
CLOUDY, COOL DAY: We will mention scattered light rain in the forecast today, but like the system this past Wednesday many Alabama communities won’t have enough rain to measure due to limited moisture. Otherwise, today will be mostly cloudy and cool with a high between 50 and 55 degrees.
CLOUDS; SOME RAIN: We have some “illegal” patches of rain across North Alabama this afternoon (the forecast was for dry conditions today)… the rain seems to be ahead of a surface boundary that has formed around I-59 that is lifting slowly northward. The sky is mostly cloudy over the northern half of the state, with a mix of sun and clouds over South Alabama. Temperatures are mostly in the 60s. The light rain over North Alabama should move northward into Tennessee this evening.
RADAR CHECK: Rain continues this morning over parts of East Alabama, and clouds linger over the rest of the state. A deep upper low will pass overhead today, and the sky will be generally cloudy, and we will maintain the chance of light rain over the eastern third of the state. Some clearing could begin over West Alabama this afternoon, however, as the upper low moves eastward. Temperatures will hold in the 40s today over the eastern half of the state; low 50s are possible for the western counties.
MORE BENEFICIAL RAIN AHEAD: Rain is falling this morning over Southeast Alabama… generally south of a line from Lafayette to Montgomery to Camden. The northern counties of the state are dry, but fog has formed in many areas, and a Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for North/Central Alabama. The fog will dissipate by mid-morning. Most of the rain will stay over South Alabama today; clouds will increase over the northern counties with a high in the low 70s.
CLOUDY, COOL DAY: A deck of mid/high levels clouds covers Alabama this afternoon, on the top side of the circulation of Tropical Storm Nestor in the Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures are only in the low to mid 60s in many areas; about 10 degrees below average for mid-October in Alabama.
COOL OCTOBER DAY: Temperatures are mostly in the low to mid 70s across North/Central Alabama this afternoon; the average high for October 14 at Birmingham is 76.
RADAR CHECK: A few lingering showers are over Alabama in scattered spots this afternoon… these showers will diminish during the evening hours. We can’t rule out a few showers overnight, but they should be widely spaced.
CLOUDS, SOME LIGHT RAIN TODAY: While the big mass of soaking rain has moved out of Alabama, we will still deal with lingering clouds and some patchy light rain today as an upper trough moves over the state. Temperatures will hold in the 50s over North Alabama, with 60s for the southern counties. The sky will clear tonight as a nice surge of dry air works into the state.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! On this first day of 2019, we begin with a cloudy sky across the state with areas of fog and drizzle. The best chance of signifiant rain today will over the southern part of Alabama, south of a stalled front near U.S. 84. The sun might peek out at times over North Alabama this afternoon, but the day will be mostly cloudy with a high in the 60s. Southeast Alabama will see 70s today (Dothan is at 70 degrees just before daybreak).
RADAR CHECK: Rain is still falling over parts of East Alabama early this morning, but the rain has ended over the western two-thirds of the state. And, that lingering rain should be out of the state soon. But, clouds will linger today, and temperatures remain below average for late October with a low only in the low 60s in most places (the average high for today in Birmingham is 72).
THIS MORNING: Temperatures have changed little across Alabama over the past 18 hours. We have mostly 40s over the northern half of the state, but Dothan reports 61 degrees just before daybreak. They are south of a stalled surface front, representing the leading edge of shallow, cold air that covered North and Central Alabama yesterday. The front will dissipate today, and temperatures won’t be as cold. We will reach the 50s by afternoon, and some places will see low 60s, mainly along and south of I-20.
ANOTHER RECORD LOW MAXIMUM POSSIBLE: Birmingham reports 66 degrees at 3:00… a decent chance we establish a record low maximum temperature for the third day in a row. The current “record low high” for September 13 is 68 set in 1959. Clouds cover the northern half of the state, and we still are seeing some patches of light rain on radar.
COOL SEPTEMBER WEATHER: The big circulation, formerly known as Hurricane Irma, is still spinning near Memphis this morning, and low clouds will continue to wrap into North Alabama today. But, to the south, the southern half of the state will enjoy a good supply of sunshine with highs in the 80s.
Our long time friend, mentor, and charter Weather Factory member, J.B. Elliott, passed away on May 11, 2015. Click HERE to read James' tribute.
