Very Hot Again Today; Strong Storms Possible Tonight

ANOTHER HOT AUGUST DAY AHEAD: Alabama’s weather won’t change much today; the sky will be partly to mostly sunny, and most communities will see a high in the upper 90s this afternoon. NWS continues an “excessive heat warning” for West Alabama, with a “heat advisory” for the rest of the state due to the high heat index values expected. A few afternoon showers are possible, but they should be few and far between.

TONIGHT: An approaching surface front will push a band of showers and thunderstorms into North Alabama. Initially they could be strong, mainly over the Tennessee Valley, and SPC has defined a slight risk (level 2/5) of severe storms near the Tennessee state line, and a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) as far south as Birmingham.

The main threat with the heavier storms will come from strong straight line winds. Thunderstorms will weaken as they move deeper in Alabama, and they will probably fizzle out about the time they reach I-20 around midnight.

TOMORROW: The front will continue to push slowly southward, and the best chance of showers and storms will shift down into South Alabama, and they will mostly come during the afternoon and evening hours. SPC has a “marginal risk” defined for about the southern half of the state as a few strong storms are certainly possible. Drier air, however, moves into North Alabama, and the day should be mostly sunny. The heat backs off with highs in the low 90, and humidity levels will be lower as well.

THURSDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND: The weather is looking dry with mostly sunny days and fair nights. Highs will be mostly in the low 90s, with nighttime temperatures will be a bit cooler with early morning lows in the 60s.

NEXT WEEK: Dry weather will most likely continue Monday, but scattered showers and storms will return to the forecast Tuesday through Friday as moisture levels rise. Highs during the week will hold mostly in the low 90s, right at seasonal levels for August in Alabama. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: No tropical storm formation is expected in the Atlantic basin through early next week.

HEAT PARADE: Here are some highs reported across Alabama yesterday…

Coker 100
Calera (Shelby County Airport) 100
Jacksonville 100
Birmingham Airport 99
Bessemer 99
Remlap 99
Concord 99
Montgomery 99
Northport 98
Arley 98
Alabaster 98
Tuscaloosa 97
Rainbow City 97
Mobile 93

ON THIS DATE IN 1987: A succession of thunderstorms produced rainfall that was unprecedented in 116 years of precipitation records at Chicago, Illinois during an 18 hour period from the evening of the 13th to the early afternoon of the 14th. The resulting flash flood was the worst ever to strike the Chicago metropolitan area, causing three deaths and water damage that amounted to 221 million dollars. O’Hare International Airport received an event total of 9.35 inches of rain in 18 hours, shattering the previous 24-hour record of 6.24 inches. For about 24 hours, the airport was only accessible from the air as all roads were blocked by high water, including the Kennedy Expressway.

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I am speaking this morning at Mississippi State University… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

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