Highs Hold In The 90s

An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player below. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.

STILL HOT: Yesterday’s official high in Birmingham was “only” 91 degrees, but still a little above the average high of 89. It was also the 14th consecutive day with a high at or over 90 degrees; the last day with a high under 90 was June 8 when the high was 88. We figure we will be back in the low to mid 90s today, with widely scattered showers and storms this afternoon under the upper ridge that has been parked over our state for much of the month.

TOMORROW THROUGH THE WEEKEND: The GFS suggests the ridge will weaken ever so slightly, meaning heat levels backing off a bit, with a general increase in the number of afternoon showers and storms. Still, the storms will be scattered, and the weather will stay fairly hot and humid. Highs will be generally in the 90 to 94 degree range. Another words, very routine summer weather. Keep in mind some of the storms that form will be strong with the potential for damaging straight line winds and lots of dangerous lightning.

NEXT WEEK: Don’t count on it happening, but watch the Weather Xtreme video and you will see the 00Z GFS continues the idea of a long wave upper trough forming over the eastern third of the nation as the heat ridge moves west. This could mean heat levels coming down, and a better chance of showers and storms on Monday and Tuesday. That run actually brings in drier, continental air into Alabama by Wednesday of next week, which would mean lower humidity and cooler nights. But again, don’t bet the farm on this just yet. Sure is a nice idea, though.

TROPICS: Not much change in the tropical wave moving through the Caribbean this morning. Still some chance this becomes a tropical depression in coming days over the Northeast Caribbean. Most dynamic models move this across the Yucatan peninsula and into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. The GFDL has shifted to the right again, and takes this into Southeast Louisiana as a tropical storm early next week. This, of course, is all voodoo; the system has to get it’s act together before we can project anything. But, with an upper trough expected to develop over the eastern U.S. early next week, this does need to be watched.

I will probably bump up the oil FAQ to answer your questions on how a tropical system will potentially interact with the oil slick in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

AT THE BEACH: Not much change in the weather along the Gulf Coast from Panama City west to Gulf Shores; about 6 to 8 hours of sunshine each day with the continued opportunity for scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs along the coast will be close to 90, and the sea water temperature late yesterday at Pensacola Beach was 87 degrees (F).

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left. Scroll down for the show notes on this week’s new episode.

FOLLOW ALONG: Here are our weather team Twitter accounts….

I will be speaking to kids in the summer program at Bevill State this morning at their campus in Jasper, and then down in Sumiton. I will have the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

Category: Uncategorized