Midday Nowcast: Numerous Showers And Storms Are Out There Already

Numerous scattered showers and thunderstorms cover the radar at this hour across much of Central Alabama. This will give us some temporary relief from the heat, if you receive any rain from these today. Heaviest activity in the area is located over Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties, and another cluster down in Pike County. All of these showers and storms are pushing off to the south. I did receive a good shower at my house today, so no need for me to stretch the hose out to the garden.

TEMPERATURES AT THIS HOUR: Heat is building as we start to reach the daytime maximum temperatures for the day across the area. Here is a list of temperature observations from across the state:

Birmingham 90
Tuscaloosa 88
Gadsden 87
Anniston 89
Cullman 85
Decatur 88
Huntsville 91
Muscle Shoals 91
Alexander City 89
Montgomery 91

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR TODAY: A mix of sun and clouds out there today for Central Alabama, with a risk for scattered showers and thunderstorms, if you have not received any rain as of now. Showers and storms that have already formed will continue to move to the south. Afternoon highs will be in the low to mid 90s for the area. Odds for any one spot receiving rain today is 1 in 3. Rain may last a little longer today than usual due to a short wave moving to the south causing the ridging to push back to the west a little, allowing for convection to last a little longer in the atmosphere. All rain should be gone by midnight.

CODE YELLOW AIR QUALITY: The Air Quality Index for the Birmingham Metropolitan Area will be in the “Code Yellow” for ozone. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

TODAY’S CLIMATOLOGY FOR BIRMINGHAM: The normal high for July 19th is 91, while the normal low is 70. The record high for today was set back in 2000 at 103. The record low was set back in 1984 at 58.

WEDNESDAY’S WEATHER: An upper high starts to build into the state from our west, and that means mostly sunny skies and fewer afternoon showers and storms due to warmer air aloft. This also means higher heat levels, as afternoon highs will range in the upper 90s to just over 100 across Central Alabama. Heat indices will be above 105, so please use common sense if you are outdoors. Rain chances are not zero, but the odds of any one spot getting rain will be about 1 in 5.

HEADED TO THE BEACH: About 8 to 10 hours of sunshine daily from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach through the weekend, but you will deal with a passing thunderstorm from time to time. Highs 88-91 on the immediate coast, with mid to upper 90s inland. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

THE TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains very quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the next five days.

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Category: Alabama's Weather