Autumn Arrives; Mostly Dry Today

HELLO FALL: The autumnal equinox was at 3:22 this morning; we have approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness today as the sun is directly over the equator.

Understand there is no magic cool-down on the first day of fall; our average high today is 83, so warm weather continues across the Deep South well past the equinox. In fact, we expect a high in the mid 80s today with a partly sunny sky; any showers this afternoon should be few and far between, and most locations will be dry.

TOMORROW/FRIDAY: Showers remain isolated tomorrow, but they should increase in number Friday a moist easterly flow continues. It won’t rain all day Friday, and the rain shouldn’t be too heavy, but just be ready for a passing shower or two. The high will stay in the mid 80s tomorrow, but will be closer to 80 Friday afternoon.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Not much change; there will be cloudy periods Saturday and Sunday along with the risk of scattered showers. Highest coverage will be over East Alabama, and the high both days will be close to 80. The rain won’t be too widespread or heavy, but showers are a distinct possibility over the weekend.

NEXT WEEK: Partly sunny days; widely scattered showers, and highs in the low 80s are likely on most days. We will have to watch the Gulf of Mexico; all global models continue to suggest a tropical low will form there. Most of them do not bring it northward to the Central Gulf Coast, but it is way too early to know if this will be a significant system, or the ultimate destination. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama will host ULM (University of Louisiana at Monroe) Saturday at 3:00 at Bryant Denny Stadium; there will be cloudy periods during the game, and a passing shower is not out of the question. Temperatures will fall from near 81 degrees at kickoff, into the mid 70s by the fourth quarter. Mississippi State will visit Auburn at Jordan Hare Stadium Saturday evening (6:30 kickoff)… the sky will be mostly cloudy with one or two light showers possible during the game. Temperature at kickoff near 75 degrees, falling to near 70 by the final whistle.

TROPICS: Tropical Storm Ida, in the Central Atlantic, will drift northward far from land over the next five days. A low just off the coast of the Carolinas won’t become a tropical system, but it will bring breezy and wet weather to parts of the Carolinas and Georgia over the next few days. Some moisture from this feature could reach far East Alabama over the weekend.

AT THE BEACH: About 6 to 8 hours of sunshine daily on the coast from Panama City Beach west to Gulf Shores with a few scattered showers and storms. Highs will stay in the 80s, with sea water temperatures between 78 and 82. See the complete Gulf Coast 7 Day Planner here. The Gulf Coast Beach Forecast is presented by Gulf Shores Plantation by Mandoki Hospitality Vacation Rentals. Escape to Gulf Shores Plantation where memories last a lifetime.

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 to a senior adult group today in Warrior… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, warm

Category: Alabama's Weather