Showers Out There Just Before Midday; A Few Strong Storms Possible This Afternoon & Evenin

REST OF TODAY
Multiple showers are out there across portions of Central Alabama as we are making the run-up to the midday hour, but the good news is that none of these showers are strong at the moment.

Unfortunately, the Marginal Risk for severe storms has been expanded to now include locations along and south of a line from Huntsville to Piedmont, with the main timing for that threat to take place from 1 pm to 8 pm. Heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning will be the main threats with any heavier storms, with damaging winds up to 60 mph being the severe threat.

There may potentially be another round of storms from a weakening MCS that move into the area late tonight and into the overnight hours, but those should stay below severe limits. Today’s highs will be in the lower 80s to the lower 90s, with tonight’s lows in the upper 60s to the lower 70s.

SUNDAY’S WEATHER
Scattered showers and storms will be possible for the northern half of the area on Sunday, with higher chances over the southern half. Highs will be in the upper 80s to the lower 90s.

THE WORK WEEK AHEAD
Ridging will take over the weather pattern across Central Alabama for to start off the work week. Monday will be a mostly sunny day with plenty of heat and only a very small chance of showers and storms over the southeastern parts of the area. Highs will be in the lower to mid-90s. Tuesday will feature a dry day with tons of sunshine. Highs will be in the lower to mid-90s.

On Wednesday, the ridging starts to weaken, which will bring back a chance of scattered showers and storms back into the forecast during the afternoon to early evening hours. Highs will be in the upper 80s to the lower 90s. Not much change for Thursday and Friday as there will be a good bit of sun to start each day with scattered showers and storms forming during the main heating of the day. Highs will be in the upper 80s to the lower 90s on both days.

HURRICANE HENRI
As of 10 am, Henri had strengthened into a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds at 75 MPH, with the center located around 180 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Henri is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph. A faster northward to north-northeastward motion is expected today, followed by a decrease in forward speed and a turn toward the north-northwest on Sunday. On the forecast track, Henri is expected to make landfall on Long Island or in southern New England on Sunday.

Dangerous storm surge inundation is expected to begin late tonight or Sunday in portions of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southeastern Massachusetts, where a Storm Surge Warning has been issued. Dangerous storm surge is possible beginning late tonight or Sunday in western portions of Long Island and Connecticut in the Storm Surge Watch area.

Hurricane conditions are expected to begin late tonight or Sunday in portions of Long Island, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, where a Hurricane Warning is in effect. Tropical storm conditions will begin in these areas tonight. Swells from Henri will continue to affect much of the east coast of the U.S. during the next day or two. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Heavy rainfall may lead to considerable flash, urban, and small stream flooding, along with the potential for widespread minor and isolated moderate river flooding, over portions of Long Island, New England, southeast New York and northern New Jersey.

TROPICAL STORM GRACE
As of 10 am, Grace had weakened into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds at 70 mph, with the center located around 25 miles north-northeast of Ciudad De, Mexico. Grace is moving toward the west-southwest near 13 mph and a
generally westward motion is expected into early Sunday. On the forecast track, the center will move over central and west-central Mexico through tonight.

Through the weekend, heavy rainfall across Veracruz, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Queretaro, and eastern San Luis Potosi will lead to significant flash and urban flooding, along with the likelihood of mudslides.

The mid-level remnants of Grace are expected to continue westward after the surface center dissipates, and to emerge into the eastern Pacific Ocean by late Sunday. There is a good chance that this will lead to the formation of a new tropical cyclone over that basin by early next week.

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical