Midday Nowcast: A Few Light Showers Out There; Eta Continues to Strengthen

Conditions Across Central Alabama Just Before Midday

At just before 11:00 am, skies are cloudy for much of Central Alabama with the exception of clear skies over the extreme western and northwestern parts of the area. Radar is currently picking up some light shower activity over western parts of Blount County and down along and just west of the Alabama/Georgia state line from Mars Hill down to just west of Smiths Station. Temperatures were in the mid-60s to the mid-70s at this point. Demopolis was the warm spot at 74 degrees. A few locations were tied as the cool spots at 66 degrees. Birmingham was sitting at 69 degrees.

Weather for the Rest of Your Saturday

Clouds will be on the increase and a few of those clouds may squeeze out a few isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. The higher rain chances will be over the southeastern quarter of Central Alabama; however, overall rain chances are very small. Highs should range from the lower 70s in the northwest to the upper 70s in the southeast. Any showers will diminish before sunset and we’ll be left with mostly cloudy skies during the evening and late-night hours. Temperatures will steadily drop from the mid-60s to the lower 70s around 6:00 pm to the mid to upper 60s by the late local news. Overnight lows will be in the lower to mid-60s.

Sunday’s Weather

Clouds will be decreasing throughout the day on Sunday and we’ll end up with mostly sunny skies by the afternoon hours. Temperatures will be a little warmer, topping out in the mid to upper 70s across the area. A very nice way to end the weekend.

Tropical Storm Eta is Rapidly Strengthening

As of 10:00 am, reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained winds in Eta have increased to 50 mph. The plane is still investigating Eta at this time. If it finds stronger winds, a special advisory may be required during the next hour or two. The center was located about 30 miles north-northwest of The Grand Cayman Island and was moving to the east-northeast at 17 mph. An east-northeast to northeast motion is expected through early Sunday. A turn toward the north and northwest is expected by Sunday afternoon. On the forecast track, the center of Eta will approach the Cayman Islands later today, be near central Cuba tonight and Sunday, and near the Florida Keys or South Florida Sunday night and Monday. Additional strengthening is expected through Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Warnings are up for:

• The Cayman Islands
• The Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Matanzas.
• Northwestern Bahamas, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence.
• Florida coast from Golden Beach to Chokoloskee, including Florida Bay.
• The Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas

Tropical Storm Watches are up for:

• The Cuban provinces of La Habana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth.
• Florida east coast north of Golden Beach Florida to the Brevard/Volusia county line
• Florida west coast north of Chokoloskee to Englewood
• Lake Okeechobee

Key Messages:

• Heavy rainfall will continue across the Cayman Islands, portions of Cuba and Jamaica, and will spread north into the Bahamas and southern Florida. This rain may result in significant, life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding in Cuba. Flash and urban flooding will also be possible for the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and southern Florida.
• Tropical storm conditions are expected today and Sunday in portions of the Cayman Islands, Cuba, and the northwestern Bahamas, where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect.
• Tropical storm conditions are expected by late Sunday in The Florida Keys and along portions of the southeast Florida coast, where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect. Tropical storm conditions are possible elsewhere in portions of southern and central Florida beginning Sunday night, where a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect. Additional Tropical Storm Warnings will likely be needed later today.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Tropical