Temperatures Trending Upward
An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player on the right sidebar of the blog. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.
RIGHT NOW: Temperatures are warmer than yesterday, but still well below average for May 18 (the average high today for Birmingham is 81). At 3:00 Tuscaloosa reports 73, Birmingham 69, and Anniston 66. Stubborn clouds are hanging over parts of Northeast Alabama, but the western side of the state is bright and sunny.
THE DAYS AHEAD: The omega blocking pattern over North America is finally showing signs of breaking down, and an upper ridge will build in across the Gulf Coast states. A noticeable warm-up begins tomorrow as we climb into the low 80s, and upper 80s are likely Friday afternoon as summer-like weather returns to the Deep South.
WARM WEEKEND: Looks like highs will be in the 87-90 degree range for most of Alabama over the weekend with a good supply of sunshine. Humidity levels will rise increasing the muggy factor, but the chance of any one spot seeing an afternoon shower is tiny. The GFS is actually printing low 90s Saturday, but it has been running too warm in recent weeks.
HANGOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL: The weather looks perfect at Gulf Shores this weekend… sunny days, fair nights, and highs along the immediate coast in the low 80s. The sea water temperature at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab this afternoon is 73 degrees (F).
NEXT WEEK: Looks like the extreme north part of Alabama could see showers Monday and Tuesday, but down this way it looks like any showers will be very widely spaced as the ridge holds. And, we stay warm with highs well into the 80s. But, later in the week it looks like the next organized rain/storm event comes at the end of the week… in the May 26-27 time frame. Still way too early to determine if severe weather will be involved.
VOODOO LAND: As we get into June, a 5880 meter 500 mb ridge begins to build across the southern U.S. as the jet stream retreats to the north, setting up some very warm early summer weather with only isolated showers for the Deep South, according to the GFS. See the Weather Xtreme video for more long range ideas.
FOLLOW ALONG: Here are our weather team Twitter accounts….
| James Spann | Jason Simpson | Ashley Brand |
| J. B. Elliott | Bill Murray | Brian Peters |
| Dr. Tim Coleman | WeatherBrains Podcast | E-Warn (AL wx watches/warnings) |
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 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.
I had a great time today visiting with the 5th graders at Hokes Bluff Elementary… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News… the next Weather Xtreme video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Category: Alabama's Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
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
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
