Calmer Day but Very Warm

* * * Please note – there will be no Weather Xtreme Video today due to my work at the Honda Indy Grand Prix. I do expect James to have the next video first thing tomorrow morning. * * *

After a couple of rather active weather days, one just stormy and one very stormy – it looks like the weather will settle down somewhat, but we still face the potential for some record warmth. As noted by the NWS, here are the record high temperatures for Central Alabama stations:

SUNDAY APRIL 1

LOCATIONS           RECORD HIGHS    YEAR(S)
-----------------   ------------    -----------
BIRMINGHAM          86              1974
MONTGOMERY          87              1974
TUSCALOOSA          87              1970/1978
ANNISTON            87              1974

MONDAY APRIL 2

LOCATIONS           RECORD HIGHS    YEAR(S)
-----------------   ------------    -----------
BIRMINGHAM          85              2006
MONTGOMERY          88              2006
TUSCALOOSA          88              2006
ANNISTON            87              1978

TUESDAY APRIL 3

LOCATIONS           RECORD HIGHS    YEAR(S)
-----------------   ------------    -----------
BIRMINGHAM          87              1999
MONTGOMERY          87              1999
TUSCALOOSA          86              1963
ANNISTON            89              1999

The highs today are going to be very close to those readings so we will probably see some records tied or broken. I’m still concerned that we could see an isolated thunderstorm because of the heat. If we do, they will be isolated, so the forecast is dry with no mention of storms. Plus the atmosphere got worked over pretty well last evening, so I think we should see a dry day. If thunderstorms occur, they will most likely be to the northeast of the Birmingham area.

Our weather pattern remains warm into the first of the upcoming week thanks to a strong upper ridge. A closed low drops into the southern Rockies on Monday with a short wave rotating around it Tuesday, but the ridge maintains its position pretty well. This should result in the best rain chances staying off to our west until Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday.

Storm chances pick up Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as the closed low inches its way eastward toward us. This should mean some fairly unsettled weather for the latter part of the week. But both the GFS and ECMWF bring the upper low across the area on Friday which will pave the way for a beautiful weekend for next weekend. Besides getting storms out of here, it will also mean a drop in temperatures – nothing really cold but lows back into the 50s and highs in the 70s with maybe a slight humidity drop.

The ridge holds strong for several days until we see a good trough over the eastern US around the 10th/11th which would signal another chance at rain. Then I really like the look of the GFS around the 14th/15th with a really deep trough over the eastern US which would spell a really big drop in temperatures. But we all know that this is way out into voodoo country.

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Thanks for your patience and understanding with the lack of videos this weekend. There simply is not a good place to record them in the Race Control Building without the noise of the cars racing and practicing. James should have the next video tomorrow morning. Enjoy the day but heed the heat! Godspeed.

-Brian-

For your meteorological consulting needs, Coleman, Knupp, and Peters, LLC, can provide you with accurate, detailed information on past storms, lightning, flooding, and wind damage. Whether it is an insurance claim needing validation or a court case where weather was a factor, we can furnish you with information you need. Please call us at (205) 568-4401.

Category: Alabama's Weather