Alabama 811 | Know What's Below.

Another Alabama Summer Sunday

| August 7, 2016 @ 1:48 pm

2016-08-07_13-46-39

A big cluster of showers popped up early this morning over West Central Alabama, bringing some brief heavy rain to Tuscaloosa County.

But otherwise, showers and storms have been slow to form as early morning clouds have held back temperatures a bit. It has been harder for the atmosphere to reach the tipping point for convection to happen. Temperatures are having to hit 90-91 degrees today for storms to really get going.

Low level lapse rates are strong, especially along and south of I-59. Mid level lapse rates aren’t so hot, so showers and storms won’t have a hard time getting going at the mercury rises, especially with a frontal system lying just to the north. But they will encounter more hostile conditions as they get into the mid levels of the atmosphere, above 15,000 feet.

There is not much dry air aloft and severe winds don’t look like they will be as much of a problem this afternoon. There will be gusty winds, perhaps as high as 40 mph however. With precipitable water values over 2 inches, heavy rain will be an issue. Of course, lightning is always a big issue with summer time thunderstorms. A house in Bessemer caught fire after a lightning strike hit it.

The morning run of the GFS is still on track with substantial rainfall amounts for Alabama over the next five, ten and fifteen days. 1.5-2 inches through Friday and over five inches over the next two weeks for much of Central Alabama. The Gulf Coast could see over ten inches.

The chance of tropical development along the Gulf Coast has diminished as the low over the northeastern Gulf has moved inland.

Category: Alabama's Weather

About the Author ()

Bill Murray is the President of The Weather Factory. He is the site's official weather historian and a weekend forecaster. He also anchors the site's severe weather coverage. Bill Murray is the proud holder of National Weather Association Digital Seal #0001 @wxhistorian

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