Occasional Showers/Storms Through Tomorrow
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UNSETTLED SUMMER WEATHER: A very moist airmass sits on top of Alabama this morning with precipitable water values generally over two inches, and with the weak upper feature to the east we will maintain good potential for scattered to numerous showers and storms across our state today. Temperatures will struggle to reach 90 degrees; we note Birmingham’s official high yesterday was only 82, with three degrees of the record low maximum temperature for July 18 (79 set in 1906).
The radar this morning shows a cluster of strong storms over eastern Mississippi to near the Alabama state line from Macon down to Meridian; those are dropping south. Expect showers to show up deeper into Alabama later this morning, with the stronger storms coming this afternoon.
TOMORROW: We note that SPC has introduced a “slight risk” of severe weather for about the northern third of Alabama; this is due to the impact of an approaching surface from the north. The air should be fairly unstable tomorrow, so any storms that fire up, especially during the afternoon, will pack a punch with potential for some small hail and strong gusty winds.
With all summer rain events the distribution is not very even, but most Alabama communities stand a good chance of seeing over one inch of rain over the next 48 hours, and some places could see much more than that where the stronger storms develop.
OUR WEEKEND: Heights rise, and temperatures aloft will be a bit warmer, so we still expect showers and storms to slowly thin out Saturday and Sunday as we get back to a more typical summer pattern. Expect partly sunny days with the risk of a few scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday. The high both days should be at or just over 90 degrees.
And, that routine summer weather can be expected into at least the first half of next week. Still no sign of any serious heat issues for Alabama for the next 15 days… see the Weather Xtreme video for the details. The hottest weather in the nation remains over the heartland, from Oklahoma City to Wichita to Kansas City.
AT THE BEACH: A few passing showers and storms are likely for the Northwest Florida beaches today and tomorrow with only a limited amount of sunshine; the showers will be a little more scattered on the Alabama coast. But, the weekend looks better all the way from Panama City west to Gulf Shores with 6 to 8 hours of sunshine each day with the standard risk of scattered showers or storms. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s along the immediate coast. Sea water temperatures are generally in the mid to upper 80s.
TROPICS: All remains quiet across the Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the weekend.
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I will be over in Oxford today to speak at the Kiwanis Club… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the day!
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
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