Radar Rash

The radar developed a rash of measles just after noon in an area of deeper moisture and in the vicinity of a surface trough over the northern half of Alabama.

The showers and storms have been aided by a glancing blow of upper level energy from a disturbance passing through the Ohio Valley to the north.

At 12:25 p.m., the temperature at the Birmingham Airport reached 97F, and almsot immediately fell to 84F with a 32 mph wind gust as a thunderstorm developed nearby.

The showers and storms will have a hard time growing into anything major this afternoon and will go downhill before sunset as the energy departs to the northeast. But if you are near one outdoors this afternoon, take shelter befor ethat first lightning strike.

High temperatures this afternoon have already been reached in spots like the Birmingham Airport, where that nearby shower brought the mercury down. Highs will generally be in the upper 90s today.

FOURTHCAST: Backyard barbecues and lake trips should experience fairly typical Fourth of July weather tomorrow with lots of sunshine, hot temperatures in the upper 90s and only widely scattered showers and thunderstorms. Fireworks display should go off without a hitch Monday night. Be careful of the heat. With the highs in the upper 90s and dewpoints around 70F, most locations will approach the dangerous category for heat. Use common sense principles to prevent heat related illness.

REST OF THE WEEK: Disturbances skimming along the bottom side of the stronger upper flow to the north could help enhance the chances for showers and storms on Tuesday and Wednesday, and perhaps Thursday. The morning run of the GFS indicates that showers and storms should be at least scattered to numerous through midweek. If this happens, high temperatures may back off into the lower 90s. Average rainfall amounts look pretty meager still, but some places will get lucky and get a bunch.

Category: Alabama's Weather