A Breath Of Fresh Air
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THANKFUL FOR SUMMER STORMS: In so many ways, thunderstorms are a mystery on summer days for those of us in the weather business. We almost always know they will be there, but forecasting the placement and timing is a nightmare simply because the storms are caused by very small scale processes that are not understood, and certainly not handled by the fancy computer models we use. I often tell people that forecasting thunderstorms in summer, and snow in winter, are our two biggest challenges. We can thank a nice outflow boundary for setting off the morning storms.
The morning thunderstorms across the northern half of Alabama are responsible for a relatively cool July day. Earlier forecast highs were near 100 degrees; Birmingham was at 80 degrees at 2:00. You have to head to Muscle Shoals to find the heat; they are at 98 degrees at 3:00. We should also note Tuscaloosa is sizzling at 97 at 3:00 as well, so not everybody got to enjoy the rain cooled air.
ON THE RADAR: Just a lone storm on the Tombigbee River below Pennington at 3:30… most of the storms were well to the south over Baldwin County. Most of North Alabama will be dry tonight, although a few isolated showers could form over West Alabama where temperatures are in the 90s.
REST OF THE WEEK: Most folks are settling into a holiday mode for the rest of the week with Independence Day falling at mid-week this year. Our weather looks very routine for July; partly sunny hot days, with the risk of scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and storms. Highs each day for the rest of the week should be in the 93-97 degree range, and the chance of any one spot getting wet will be around one in three on a daily basis.
GULF COAST WEATHER: Routine summer weather for the coast from Panama City west to Gulf Shores; about 7 to 9 hours of sun each day with the usual risk of scattered showers and storms. Highs will be in the 88 to 91 degree range along the immediate coast, and the water temperatures in the Gulf are running in the mid 80s.
TROPICS: All is quiet across the vast Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the rest of the week.
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Category: Alabama's Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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