Warmer This Week; Moisture Levels Rise

ANOTHER REFRESHING MORNING: Another cool May morning; both Fort Payne and Valley Head (in DeKalb County) are reporting 43 degrees just before sunrise. We will forecast a high in the upper 70s this afternoon, about ten degrees warmer than yesterday, but still below average for mid-May in Alabama.

The sky will be party sunny, and moisture levels will slowly rise during the day. We will mention the risk of a few light showers or sprinkles this afternoon and early tonight, mainly over the northwest counties of the state. Rain amounts, if any, will be light and spotty.

TOMORROW: We rise into the mid 80s as the cool air evacuates the Deep South. Expect a mix of sun and clouds, and it looks like a generally dry day with only isolated showers or storms.

REST OF THE WEEK: This is a fairly complex pattern, and timing out the round of showers will be pretty difficult, so be sure and check the blog for updates if you are planning something outdoors.

We will mention some risk of showers Wednesday, and possibly a thunderstorm, with the approach of a surface front. Best chance of rain should come late in the day, and possibly into Wednesday night.

Then, drier air creeps into North Alabama Thursday with only a small risk of a shower; highest risk of rain shifts down into the southern counties of the state. The high Wednesday and Thursday will be in the low 80s for most places.

FRIDAY: This looks like the day with the highest coverage of rain. Showers and storms are likely as a wave of low pressure forms on the surface front. Still, it won’t rain all day, and we don’t expect any severe weather issues. Temperatures could hold in the 70s all day due to clouds and showers.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The weather trends drier as the wave moves east of our state. We will mention just the risk of a lingering shower in spots Saturday; most of the day should be dry with intervals of sunshine and a high around 80. Then, for now, Sunday looks dry with a good supply of sunshine and a high in the low 80s.

NEXT WEEK: Warm, dry weather continues into the first part of next week… see the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

AT THE BEACH: On an average basis, we expect about 4 to 6 hours of sunshine daily on the coast from Gulf Shores over to Panama City Beach through Friday, and each day there will be a risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs will be in the low 80s on the immediate coast, with mid 80s inland.

For the Hangout Music Festival at Gulf Shores this weekend, a passing shower or storm is possible Friday and Saturday (but no wash-out)… Sunday looks dry with a sunny sky. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

REGIONS TRADITION: The Regions Tradition will be held this year at the Greystone Golf and Country Club Wednesday through the weekend… A shower is possible Wednesday and Thursday, but most of those two days should be dry. The best chance of showers and storms will come on Friday, but I still expect them to get some golf in. Then, the weather trends drier for the weekend; only a small risk of a shower Saturday, followed by a sunny sky Sunday. Highs will generally be in the low 80s, although upper 70s are expected Friday due to clouds and showers. Get more information about the tournament here.

SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: Coming up at the Hoover Met May 24-29… too early for a forecast, but in late May in Alabama average highs are in the 80s, and many days are pretty humid like summer. Get information about the big event here.

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 live here.

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I have a weather program this morning at Walker Elementary in Tuscaloosa County… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, warmer

Category: Alabama's Weather