Warm, Dry Week Ahead

DROUGHT CONDITIONS TO WORSEN: Let’s start with the bad news; today will be the 15th consecutive day with no rain (based on data at the Birmingham Airport), and the chance of significant rain is very, very low for the next 10 days. Drought conditions will worsen across North and Central Alabama, and we recommend water conservation, and extreme caution if you are doing any outdoor burning. October in Alabama is usually the driest month of the year, and the good rains won’t come until November and December.

COOL MONDAY MORNING: Vic Bell, our Skywatcher at Black Creek (just northeast of Gadsden) reports 47 degrees this morning; many communities are down in the low to mid 50s. It is that time of the year when you can use a light jacket early in the morning, but you lose it pretty quickly during the day as we warm into the mid 80s this afternoon under a strong October sun.

REST OF THE WEEK: Mostly sunny warm days, fair pleasant nights. Tomorrow should be the warmest day of the week with a high between 87 and 90 degrees; mid 80s are likely Wednesday through Friday. Lows will be generally in the cool 50s.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: As Hurricane Matthew passes well to the east of Alabama, a nice northerly flow develops, and will pull down cooler air. Highs drop into the 70s Saturday and Sunday, with 40s possible in many places early Sunday. Sunny days, fair nights as the long dry spell continues.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn will play at Mississippi State Saturday (11:00a CT kickoff)… the sky will be sunny with temperatures rising from 77 at kickoff, to near 81 degrees by the fourth quarter.

Alabama is also on the road; they play Arkansas at Fayetteville Saturday evening (6:00p CT kickoff)… a perfect evening for football with temperatures falling from 67 at kickoff into the 50s by the fourth quarter. The sky will be clear.

BARBER VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL: This event runs from this Friday through Sunday at the Barber Motorsports Park. Highs in the 80s Friday, but cooling into the 70s Saturday and Sunday. Sunny days, clear nights. The weather could not be better. Get ticket information right here.

NEXT WEEK: For now most of the week looks dry with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s… delightful fall weather, but no sign of badly needed rain. 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 showers almost impossible to find from Panama City Beach over to Gulf Shores. Highs in the 80s… See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

MATTHEW MOVING NORTHWARD: Major Hurricane Matthew is moving northward this morning (but slowly, at 5 mph) toward Haiti and the eastern part of Cuba. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Jamaica, eastern Cuba, Haiti, and the Southeast Bahamas. Sustained winds are at 130 mph (making Matthew a category four), and a NOAA buoy has reported a wind gust of 143 mph in the eye recently.

Longer range guidance shows Matthew coming dangerously close to the North Carolina outer banks late in the week; interests along the U.S. Atlantic coast will need to keep a close eye on this dangerous storm. It will not impact the Gulf of Mexico in any way.

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.

CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…

Facebook
Twitter
Google Plus
Instagram

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

Tags: ANC, dry

Category: Alabama's Weather