Much Cooler Air On The Way

RADAR CHECK: It is pretty quiet across Alabama this afternoon; we have a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures generally between 79 and 82 degrees, and so far few showers have formed over the northern half of the state. A few scattered showers will remain possible this evening.

TOMORROW/FRIDAY: Highs will drop into the 66-71 degree range both days with a low level northerly flow. And, it looks like a pool of moisture will linger over the eastern half of the state, so from Birmingham and I-65 eastward the sky will be mostly cloudy with a few showers possible… far West Alabama should be rain-free.

THE WEEKEND: There is a degree of uncertainty in the weekend forecast with potential for a tropical system on the Atlantic coast. I think the weekend will be mostly dry, but we will probably need to mention some risk of a few isolated showers over far East Alabama Saturday. Sunday will feature a partly to mostly sunny sky; the weather stays cool with a high near 70 Saturday, followed by low to mid 70s Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: Looking dry and pleasant Monday through Wednesday with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s; see the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn hosts San Jose State Saturday at Jordan Hare Stadium (3:00p CT kickoff)… there will be cloudy periods, and we will mention just an outside risk of a shower during the game. Expect a kickoff temperature near 70 degrees, falling into the low to mid 60s by the fourth quarter. Alabama will take on Georgia at Athens Saturday (2:30p CT kickoff); we are going to need to mention a chance of rain during the game due to moisture wrapping into the region from the east; understand this forecast could change based on the behavior of Hurricane Joaquin. Temperatures will be in the 60s during the game.

EYES ON JOAQUIN: Hurricane Joaquin is packing sustained winds of 85 mph, and is drifting southwest, just east of the Bahamas. It is expected to take a hard turn to the right during the next 48 hours, possibly approaching the middle Atlantic coast of the U.S. this weekend. The GFS (the U.S. global model), and most high resolution tropical models move Joaquin into the coast of North Carolina, while curiously the ECMWF (European model) takes the system out to sea with no landfall. Thus, forecast confidence remains rather low at this point, but certainly those that live along the coast of the Carolinas, and points north, need to make preparations for this hurricane now in the event it does take a track toward a weekend landfall.

One way or another, very heavy rain is likely for the U.S. East Coast from the Carolinas north.

Again, see the afternoon Weather Xtreme video for more maps, graphics, and details.

AT THE BEACH: Expect mostly sunny days and fair nights from Panama City Beach over to Gulf Shores tomorrow through early next week with highs generally in the 70s. 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.

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I had a great time today visiting with a big crowd, including students from Sumter Academy, at the Livingston Community Center in Sumter County… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…

Tags: ANC, cooler

Category: Alabama's Weather