Storms Firing Up; Tropics Heating Up

RADAR CHECK: Showers and storms have been a little slow to fire across Alabama today, but they are steadily increasing at mid-afternoon… they are moving to the west/northwest and are producing heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning.

Temperatures are in the 87-90 degree range with a mix of sun and clouds. Showers and storms will fade away late tonight.

TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND: Rather unsettled weather continues across the state tomorrow and Saturday; the sky will be cloudy at times with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Most of the showers will come from 12:00 noon until 10:00 p.m… but we can’t totally rule out a late night or morning shower. Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 80s, and we will see intervals of sunshine. Afternoon showers become fewer in number Sunday as the upper ridge begins to strengthen again across the state. Chance of any one spot getting wet will be close to 70 percent tomorrow and Saturday, dropping to near 40 percent Sunday.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For high school games tonight and tomorrow night, the weather will be warm and humid with the risk of a shower or thunderstorm, mainly during the first half. Some games could very well be dealing with a lightning delay; temperatures will be mostly in the upper 70s.

UAB kicks off the season with a Thursday night special tonight at Legion Field in Birmingham… they host Savannah State (kickoff is at 7p CT). A passing shower or storm is very possible during the first half of the game, otherwise a humid night with temperatures falling into the mid to upper 70s.

Saturday, Auburn takes on Washington in Atlanta in Mercedes Benz Stadium (2:30p CT kickoff). Outside the domed stadium, afternoon temperatures will be in the 87-90 degree range with the risk of a shower or thunderstorm.

Then, Saturday evening, Alabama will take on Louisville in Orlando (7:00p CT kickoff). The weather will be humid, and a shower or thunderstorm is possible during the game, mainly during the first half. Kickoff temperature in the low 80s, falling into the upper 70s by the final whistle.

NEXT WEEK: For now the weather looks fairly quiet with partly sunny days, fair nights, and only widely scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Highs through the week will be in the 88-91 degree range… see the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

TOPIC: TROPICS: We now have “potential tropical cyclone six” on the board in the far eastern Atlantic, just off the coast of Africa. This is expected to become Tropical Storm Florence by tomorrow, and Hurricane Florence over the weekend. Long range guidance suggests the system will begin to turn northward before reaching longitude 55W. If this is the case, most likely it will remain over open water and won’t get close to the U.S.

A tropical wave is near Hispaniola; there is some chance of slow development over the eastern Gulf of Mexico next week, but NHC is keeping the risk of development at 20 percent for now over the next five days.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…

Tags: ANC, storms

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos