Sunday Weather Video: More Dryness Ahead

It has been a rough week in the Weather Department, with a deadly and destructive hurricane affecting Florida, South Carolina, and other parts of the Southeast U.S. It has been q quiet hurricane season overall, but the corollary to that is, of course, it just takes one. Fortunately, the next two weeks look fairly quiet in the tropics. The Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave over the far eastern Atlantic. It is expected to become a tropical storm but recurve quickly to the north and stay away from land.

LOOKING BACK AT SEPTEMBER: The average temperature at the Shuttlesworth Birmingham International Airport was 73.8F. The normal average high for the month is 75.6, making the month slightly cooler than the usual September. We finished the month with 2.16 inches of rain, which is dry, but not enough to make the top 20 list of driest Septembers in the Magic City. Most of the month’s rainfall fell on the 4th when 1.55” fell into the rain bucket. There were four 90 degrees days in the month. Usually, we see 9. The hottest day in the month was the 22nd when the mercury hit 96F. The coolest morning was on the 29th when it hit 46F.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS MONTH: October is arguably the nicest month for weather in Central Alabama. Of course, our perception of what is nice is subjective and personal. A slow day-long soaking rain is probably the most beautiful weather I can think of almost anytime.

October ranks as the driest month in Birmingham with an average of 3.34 inches of rainfall in the month. 11.90 inches fell in October 1995, thanks to Hurricane Opal. Four Octobers have been completely dry, including 1897, 1899, 1901, and 1924. October 2016 saw only a trace as we were in the middle of a flash drought.

Temperatures will really start to fall off in the month ahead as the heat budget continues to become more negative as daily sunlight continues to decrease in both duration and sky angle. The average high at the beginning of the month is 82F, but that will fall to 70F by the end of the month. The average low for the 1st is 60F, but that too will fall to 46F by Halloween.

Birmingham’s earliest recorded freeze occurred on October 18, 1948. The coldest it has ever been in the Magic City in any October is 27F on October 28, 1957, and October 29, 1952. On October 3, 2019, Birmingham recorded a record high of 101F. A high of 90F has been recorded as late as October 20th. We only see 90F in the month about once every three years.

On average, measurable rain is received on 7.1 days in the month and thunderstorms occur on an average of 1.5 days.

WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY: Absolute perfection. Just like yesterday, today will feature true Chamber of Commerce Weather with total sunshine, bright blue skies, mild temperatures, low humidities and light winds, all after another comfortable morning. After starting off in the upper 40s and lower 50s this morning, high temperatures will warm into the upper 70sand lower 80s this afternoon.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEK: We stay dry all week with very dry air in place across Alabama. Highs will mostly be in the 80s Wednesday and Thursday, with 70s on the other days for the most part. A reinforcing shot of cool, dry air will arrive Friday, with highs for the weekend falling back into the lower 70s. Lows will be in the 50s.

VOODOO TERRITORY: A little more moisture starts showing up in the extended period, but no real organized rain chances. Our dryness situation will be becoming even more serious as we go through time.

BEACHCAST: You can’t ask for a better week weather-wise along the beautiful beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida. Highs will be in the lower and middle 80s each day. Lows will be in the lower and middle 60s. Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. No rip current issues in the week ahead.

Click here to see the Beach Forecast Center page.

NATIONALLY: The National Watch/Warning/Advisory Map is about as empty as you will ever see it.
DANCING WITH THE STATS: The 66.9F average temperature for the month at Sydney NE made it the warmest September on record there, besting the former mark of 66.7F.

ADVERTISE WITH US: Deliver your message to a highly engaged audience by advertising on the AlabamaWX.com website. The site enjoyed over 29 MILLION page views in the past 12 months. Don’t miss out! We can customize a creative, flexible, and affordable package that will suit your organization’s needs. Contact me, Bill Murray, at (205) 687-0782 and let’s talk.

WEATHERBRAINS: This week, the panel will be talking all about Hurricane Ian. Rich Fields from WTSP in Tampa will join us. Check out the show at www.WeatherBrains.com. You can also subscribe on iTunes. It’s now easier than ever to watch the show live at