Long Awaited Cold Front Getting Close

TIRED OF THE HEAT: After a weekend with highs in the upper 90s, most are ready for a fall cold front, and we have one this morning near the Mississippi River. Behind the front, temperatures are in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and we will begin to enjoy the cooler air tomorrow and Wednesday.

WE NEED RAIN: Birmingham has gone seven consecutive days without a drop of rain; last measurable rain was on September 18 when the total was 0.32″. Our total for the month of September is only 0.68, and for the year the amount is 35.85″, a deficiency of 4.46″. Other places across North Alabama need almost 10 inches to get back to average amounts for the year.

Unfortunately, rain with the front later today and tonight will be rather light and spotty. Best chance of showers will come from about 3:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m., and most places will see only 1/4″ or less. And, after tonight, the chance of rain is pretty much non existent for the next seven days.

COOL CHANGE: After some lingering early morning clouds, the sky becomes mostly sunny tomorrow with a high around 80 degrees with considerably lower humidity. You will really notice the difference early Wednesday morning, with with a low between 50 and 55 degrees for most places; colder pockets across North Alabama should reach the upper 40s. Wednesday will be sunny with a high in the low 80s.

THURSDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND: A reinforcing shot of cooler air arrives Thursday and Friday, pushing highs down into the mid 70s; lows will remain well down in the 50s, with upper 40s for colder pockets. And, the pleasant autumn weather will continue into the weekend. Expect sunny days, fair nights. No risk of rain through Sunday.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Looking fantastic for Friday night’s high school games; a clear sky with temperatures falling through the 60s during the games (remember, they were falling through the 80s this past Friday night).

Alabama will host Kentucky Saturday evening at Bryant-Denny Stadium (6:00p CT kickoff)… the sky will be clear with temperatures falling from 73 at kickoff, into the mid 60s by the fourth quarter.

We note the high in Tuscaloosa this past Saturday was 99, and if you use maximum temperature as a metric, it was the hottest day for a University of Alabama home game on record. The top three…

Kent State Sept 24, 2016 (Tuscaloosa) 99
Southern Miss Sept 8, 1990 (Birmingham) 98
Arkansas Sept 20, 1997 (Tuscaloosa) 96

Auburn hosts Louisiana-Monroe Saturday at Jordan Hare Stadium (2:30p CT kickoff)… expect a sunny sky with a kickoff temperature of 77 degrees…falling into the upper 60s by the final whistle.

NEXT WEEK: The first part of the week looks dry and pleasant; highs around 80, lows around 60. And again, unfortunately, no sign of beneficial rain through the week See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

AT THE BEACH: Mostly sunny days, fair nights on the coast through the weekend with just a few widely scattered showers and storms around later today, tonight, and tomorrow. Highs in the 80s… See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

TROPICS: “Invest 97L” should become Tropical Storm Matthew later this week as it moves into the Caribbean; this is a lower latitude system, but all model guidance suggests this will turn northward before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. Still very early, however, and we will need to keep an eye on it.

The rest of the Atlantic basin is quiet.

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. We will produce this week’s show tonight at 8:30 CT… you can watch it live here.

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I have weather programs today at Cahawba Christian Academy in Centreville, and Brookwood Forest Elementary in Mountain Brook. Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, cooler

Category: Alabama's Weather