Summer Preview; Dry Weather Continues

HEATING UP: With a mostly sunny sky today, we project a high between 86 and 89 degrees for most Alabama communities today; the average high for May 24 (for Birmingham) is 83. Dewpoints will hold in the 50s today, so the humidity won’t be too bad.

REST OF THE WEEK: We are forecasting highs pretty close to 90 degrees tomorrow through Friday with a good supply of sunshine each day. Humidity levels will creep up, so nights won’t be quite as pleasant. And, I guess we could mention a slight risk of a shower Friday afternoon as the air will be a tad more unstable, but the risk for any one spot seeing rain is so small I don’t think it is worth the mention for now.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Not much change. An upper ridge will keep Alabama mostly dry with only isolated afternoon showers. The chance of any community seeing a shower is only in the 10-20 percent range, and daily highs will be in the 86-90 degree range.

Birmingham has measured only 0.12″ of rain since May 13, and soil moisture will continue to decrease as we get into early June. Unfortunately there is nothing now to suggest a big, widespread rain event over the next 10 days.

HURRICANE SEASON: It kicks off next Wednesday, June 1. Keep in mind we had a rare January tropical system earlier this year, Hurricane Alex, so the first named storm this summer will be “Bonnie”. When Alex became a hurricane January 14, it marked only the second recorded hurricane formation in January, with the other being Hurricane One in 1938.

We note global models continue to hint at a hybrid low forming near the South Atlantic coast late this weekend; some chance it could be a “sub-tropical storm”. One way or another it won’t directly impact Alabama weather. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

AT THE BEACH: Mostly sunny days, fair nights through the Memorial Day weekend from Gulf Shores over to Panama City Beach. Highs on the immediate coast will be in the low 80s, with upper 80s inland. Sea water temperatures are generally between 77 and 81 degrees. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: It begins today at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium; the weather looks fantastic with mostly sunny days and fair nights through Friday. We will mention a small risk of an afternoon shower or storm Saturday and Sunday, but rain should pose no big issues. The weather will heat up with highs in the 87-90 degree range most afternoons. Get information about the big event here.

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. Scroll down for the show notes on the new episode we recorded last night.

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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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Category: Alabama's Weather