Good Ole Summertime Weather

SUN, HEAT, STORMS: We are getting into the dog days of summer, and it is a time of the year when the weather forecast doesn’t change much. You are pretty much guaranteed the weather will be hot, humid, and we will be dodging random, scattered storms during the peak of the heat each afternoon and evening. See this essay I wrote about forecasting summer weather in Alabama.

We will maintain the classic summer forecast today through the weekend. Most of the sun will come during the morning and early afternoon hours, and most of the showers and storms will come between 1:00 and 8:00 p.m. Winds aloft are light, and like yesterday, storms won’t move much and some spots could see heavy rain. Our Skywatcher in Mountain Brook reported 2.44″ yesterday, with flooding around “the Brook” and Cahaba Heights. Other parts of the Birmingham metro didn’t receive a drop.

The chance of any one spot getting wet each afternoon will be in the 30-50 percent category. While organized severe weather isn’t expected, keep in mind summer storms can, on occasion, produce “wet microbursts”… localized areas of strong straight line winds than can knock down trees and power lines.

The most dangerous element with summer storms, by far, is lightning. If there is lightning within 8 miles, all outdoor events need to stop and everyone goes inside. And, if you don’t have a reliable real time lightning app, the rule is simple. When you hear thunder, go inside.

Afternoon highs will be mostly in the low 90s, right at seasonal averages. The peak of the summer heat here comes from late July though mid-August.

NEXT WEEK: Not much change, although the GFS hints the upper ridge could strengthen during the latter half of the week, and with the warmer air aloft that could mean fewer afternoon storms and higher heat levels. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: All remains quiet across the Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the weekend.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page. The Beach Forecast is partially underwritten by the support of Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Click here to see Brett/Robinson’s Own Your Summer specials now!

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.

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I will be speaking today at the Anniston Museum of Natural History… the next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, hot

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos