Big Changes Late This Week

DROUGHT CONTINUES: Yesterday a few raindrops fell at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, where the records are kept, but it wasn’t enough to measure. So, today will be the 29th consecutive day with no measurable rain there, and drought conditions continue.

RECORD HIGHS POSSIBLE: We will be on a big roller coaster with temperatures this week. In the short term, we projected mid 80s today, and upper 80s tomorrow and Wednesday. Here is a look at record highs for Birmingham on these days…

October 17 91 (1897)
October 18 86 (1947)
October 19 88 (1938)

Interesting to note we have not set a new daily record high (at Birmingham) during the month of October since 1984, so we are due for one.

The sky will be mostly sunny day and tomorrow, and partly sunny Wednesday. I am going to insert a small chance of a shower or storm in the forecast Wednesday afternoon as the air becomes more unstable; best chance of this will be north of Birmingham.

RAIN AND COOLER TEMPERATURES: We will still be in the 80s Thursday, but we will bring in a good chance of badly needed rain Thursday night and Friday as a cold front pushes through the state. We are expecting about 1/2 inch of rain… certainly not a drought buster, but clearly enough to settle the dust and start the process of digging out from the long dry spell. And, Friday will be much cooler with a high only in the 60s… the latest GFS is printing a high of only 65 for Birmingham Friday afternoon, which is ten degrees below average.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday looks cool and dry for North/Central Alabama with a high in the 60s, but some rain could linger over the southeast counties of the state. Sunday will feature a sunny sky with a high in the mid 70s.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For high school games Friday night, the weather will be cool with a chance of lingering light rain; temperatures will be in the 50s. You will need a jacket for sure.

Alabama will host Texas A&M Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium (2:30p CT kickoff)… the sky will be partly to mostly sunny with temperatures moving in the mid to upper 60s during the game.

Auburn hosts Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday evening (5:00p CT kickoff)… expect a clearing sky with temperatures falling from 68 degrees at kickoff, into the upper 50s by the fourth quarter.

RACE WEEKEND AT TALLADEGA: Friday will be the problem with with a cloudy sky and periods of rain; the day will be much cooler with a high in the 60s. The sky becomes partly sunny Saturday, and Sunday should feature a good supply of sunshine for the Alabama 500. The high Saturday will be near 68 degrees, followed by mid 70s Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: The week begins dry and pleasant with highs in the 70s and lows in the upper 40s and low 50s.

AT THE BEACH: Mostly sunny days and fair nights on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach through Thursday with highs in the 80s. Then, a chance of rain returns Friday and Saturday with highs dropping into the 70s. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

TROPICS: Hurricane Nicole will become “post-tropical” soon in the North Atlantic; NHC is also monitoring a disturbance east of the Bahamas that will have some chance of development this week, but odds are it won’t impact the U.S.

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 will be doing a weather program for the kids in the HeadStart program in Gadsden this morning… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, dry

Category: Alabama's Weather