Showers Already Forming Just Before Midday; Nana Forms South of Jamaica

A QUICK LOOK OUTSIDE AT 11:48 AM

We have a few isolated showers that have formed across the area as of 11:48 am, but nothing is too heavy at this time. Temperatures as of the 11:00 am roundup were in the lower to mid-80s across the area. Birmingham was at 86 degrees as the warm spot while Haleyville and Marion were tied as the cool spots at 80 degrees.

SCATTERED SHOWERS & STORM LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON

While there is no organized threat of severe storms across Central Alabama for today, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a storm or two become strong with gusty winds, plenty of cloud-to-ground lightning, and heavy rain. Most, if not all, of the shower activity will come to an end right at or just after sunset tonight. Afternoon highs will be steamy in the upper 80s to the lower 90s throughout Central Alabama. The highest rain chances will be along and north of a line from Tuscaloosa to Montgomery to Auburn.

For tonight through the overnight hours, skies will become partly cloudy to mostly clear, but some patchy dense fog may form especially in areas that received rainfall late in the day. Overnight lows will be in the lower to mid-70s.

CRANKING UP THE HEAT FOR YOUR WEDNESDAY

While an isolated shower or storm may be possible north of the I-59 corridor during the main heating of the day, Wednesday will be a hot and dry day across Central Alabama. There will be plenty of sunshine but a few clouds will build as we approach and go through the afternoon hours. Highs will be in the lower to mid-90s throughout the area.

THE TROPICS

TROPICAL DEPRESSION 15: As of 10:00 am CDT, the disturbance was located about 140 miles to the east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and moving toward the east-northeast at 14 mph. This general motion is forecast today, followed by a turn toward the east by Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will continue to move away from the North Carolina coast today. Maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph with higher gusts. The depression could become a tropical storm later today or tonight. Gradual weakening is anticipated by late Wednesday. The system is forecast to become a remnant low on Thursday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 MB (29.77 inches).

TROPICAL STORM NANA: As of 11:05 am CDT, the center of Nana was located about 120 miles to the southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and moving toward the west near 18 mph. This general motion is expected to continue through Thursday. On the forecast track, the system will be moving near but north of the coast of Honduras on Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and a
tropical depression or tropical storm could form at any time. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 MB (29.65 inches).

TROPICAL WAVE OVER WESTERN AFRICA: A tropical wave is expected to emerge off the coast of Africa in a day or so. Gradual development of this system will be possible through the end of the week while it moves slowly westward over the far eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. Formation chance through 5 days is medium at 40 percent.

ON THIS DATE IN WEATHER HISTORY

1952 – Tropical Depression Able passed to the west of Newport, Rhode Island with 0.19 inches of rain, 38 mph wind gust, and a pressure of 29.60 inches.

1979 – A home in Centerville, Tennessee was hit by lightning and totally destroyed. It marked the third time that the house had been hit by lightning since being built in 1970.

2006 – Tropical Storm Ernesto dumped 8.93 inches of rain on Norfolk, Virginia for the city’s greatest single-day rainfall on record.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Tropical