Summer Mix Of Sun And Storms To Continue
RADAR CHECK: As you might expect on a summer afternoon, we have random, scattered showers and thunderstorms across Alabama today… most active over the northern 2/3 of the state. Stronger storms are producing heavy rain, gusty winds, and gobs of lightning. Away from the storms temperatures are mostly in the upper 80s and low 90s. Storms will end tonight after sunset.
Alabama’s weather won’t change much through the weekend. Partly to mostly sunny, hot, humid days with a few afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms around in spots. Highs in the low 90s tomorrow, followed by mid 90s Sunday. Chance of any one spot getting wet tomorrow and Sunday is 30-40 percent.
NEXT WEEK: Hot summer weather continues. The air aloft will be a little warmer, making for a more stable atmosphere. This means heat levels will be up a bit, and the coverage of afternoon showers and storms will be a tad lower. But the overall idea is the same; lots of morning sunshine, a few random showers and thunderstorms around during the afternoon and evening hours. Highs will be in the mid 90s through most of the week; looks like the hottest week so far this summer. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Again today there are no areas of interest across the Atlantic basin. Tropical storm/hurricane formation is not expected for at least the next seven days.
ON THIS DATE IN 1936: From July 5-17, temperatures exceeding 111 degrees in Manitoba and Ontario Canada claimed 1,180 lives (mostly the elderly and infants) during the most prolonged, deadliest heat wave on record. Four hundred of these deaths were caused by people who drowned seeking refuge from the heat. In fact, the heat was so intense that steel rail lines and bridge girders twisted, sidewalks buckled, crops wilted and fruit baked on trees.
ON THIS DATE IN 1980: Birmingham’s high was 102 degrees as the generational heat wave of 1980 intensified. Starting on July 10, Birmingham’s highs were 101, 102, 104, 106, 103, 102, 105, 105. The hottest day of the summer was July 17 when over 80 percent of the state reached 100 degrees, and nearly one quarter of the state reached 105. The highest reading on that day was 108 degrees recorded in the cities of Bessemer, Aliceville, and Jasper. It was 105 in Birmingham that day. In the month of July alone, there was an estimated 120 heat-related deaths along with the loss of more than 200,000 chickens and half the state’s corn crop. Around the nation, the heat wave claimed anywhere between 1,250 and 10,000 lives.
Look for my next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. Monday… enjoy the weekend!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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