Sun, Heat, Afternoon Storms
SUMMER DAYS: Hot, humid summer weather headlines Alabama’s forecast this week. Partly to mostly sunny days, fair nights, and the usual risk of a pop-up afternoon thunderstorm in a few spots. Most of the storms will come from 2:00 until 9:00 p.m… and the chance of any one spot getting wet remains in the 20/30 percent range through mid-week. Afternoon temperatures rise into the low to mid 90s.
We note there is a “heat advisory” for a few counties across the northwest corner of the state… this is where the heat index could touch 105 this afternoon. But understand all of Alabama will be hot and humid, advisory or not.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: The strong upper ridge will weaken. This opens for door for an increase in the number of afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms, and lower heat levels. Highs drop into the 88-93 degree range with a mix of sun and clouds daily. Chance of any one location seeing rain each day rises to 40/50 percent.
NEXT WEEK: Temperatures could be a little below average next week with highs in the upper 80s in many areas, otherwise pretty routine summer weather is the story with partly sunny days along with afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization overnight with an area of the low pressure located about 500 miles east of Bermuda (in the middle of the Atlantic, far from land). Recent satellite-derived wind data also indicates the system has a well-defined surface circulation with maximum sustained winds of 30-35 mph. While environmental conditions are only marginally favorable, only a small increase in organization and persistence of the current shower and thunderstorm activity is likely to result in the formation of a short-lived tropical depression or storm, as soon as later today.
By tomorrow, this system is expected to encounter less favorable environmental conditions, ending its opportunity for further development. NHC gives it a 70 percent chance of becoming a brief depression or storm. This will remain over open water far from land, and the rest of the Atlantic basin is very calm.
ON THIS DATE IN 1944: An outbreak of violent tornadoes across eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. Thirty people were killed in Shinnston WV, which was leveled. A total of 154 people were killed and 966 were injured. The tornadoes defied previous meteorological thought by crossing mountainous terrain. A family of tornadoes killed thirty people along an 85-mile path from near Wellsburg, WV to near Uniontown, Maryland. As many as four violent tornadoes were on the ground simultaneously during the evening hours. The most devastating tornado of the evening was an F4 monster that carved a sixty-mile path from near Pine Grove to near Alpena. One hundred people died in this tornado, including thirty at Shinnston.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
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