Midday Nowcast: Hot Today, Hotter Than A Firecracker This Weekend

What a great morning that we have experienced so far in Central Alabama. Clear skies, and one of the coolest early morning lows (64ºF) we have seen on July 1st in Birmingham since 2000. As Bill posted earlier this morning, it was the 16th coolest July 1st on record and 6ºF below normal for Birmingham. There were even cooler readings from other communities in Central Alabama, with the coolest being 56ºF in Black Creek (just northeast of Gadsden).

At this hour, Central Alabama is still crystal clear outside, and with these lower dewpoints, it sure does feel nice out there. The only activity showing up on the satellite image and radar at this time is located down in the southeastern part of the state. Scattered showers are dotting the radar in Barbour, Pike, Henry, Dale, Coffee, Houston, Geneva, and Covington counties.

TEMPERATURES AT THIS HOUR: Most locations in Central Alabama are up in the mid to upper 80s at this time. Here is a list of temperature observations from around the state:

Muscle Shoals: 86
Huntsville: 88
Birmingham: 86
Anniston: 88
Tuscaloosa: 85
Alexander City: 86
Montgomery: 87
Dothan: 84
Mobile: 88

TODAY’S WEATHER: Skies should stay generally clear throughout the remainder of the day, with a few clouds moving into the northern counties after sunset. As with usual summertime weather, there is a small risk for an isolated shower for Central Alabama, but that chance is really small and most communities will stay dry. Afternoon highs will be in the low to mid 90s. Overnight lows tonight will be in the low 70s, with a few places in the 60s.

CODE ORANGE AIR QUALITY: The Air Quality Index for the Birmingham Metropolitan Area will be in the “Code Orange” for ozone. People with lung or heart disease, children and older adults, or people who are active outdoors should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

TODAY’S CLIMATOLOGY FOR BIRMINGHAM: The normal high for July 1st is 90, while the normal low is 71. The record high for today was set back in 1954 at 103. The record low was set back in 1950 at 54.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND WEATHER: Not much change for this weekend’s weather. The surface front that is located over the middle of the state will dissipate, allowing for humidity levels to start to creep back up for Central Alabama. Even with that, shower and thunderstorm chances will remain pretty small, maybe a 10-20 percent chance each day. Days will be partly to mostly sunny and fair nights. Afternoon highs will be in the mid 90s, with a few places reaching the upper 90s especially on Sunday.

HEADED TO THE BEACH: About 7 to 9 hours of sunshine each day with the usual risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs on the immediate coast will be in the upper 80s, with 90s inland. Sea water temperatures are mostly in the mid to upper 80s. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

GULF WATERS: To clear up any confusion, there is “no flesh eating bacteria” in the Gulf waters of Northwest Florida or South Alabama. Please read this well written article by Jeremy Pate of WJHG-TV in Panama City that explains the situation very clearly.

THE TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the holiday weekend.

WEATHERBRAINS: This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists at ABC 33/40. Last night, we talked Oklahoma weather with the folks from OK First. You can listen anytime on the web, or on iTunes. You can find it here.

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Category: Alabama's Weather