Lunchtime Update, Pigskin Forecast and a Harvest Moon

A decent late September Saturday is in progress across Central Alabama today. After morning lows in the middle 60s mostly, readings were climbing through the 70s and approaching 80F at lunchtime. Afternoon highs will top out right around 80 degrees, with sunnier locations getting into the lower 80s. Some folks that are getting more clouds might stay in the upper 70s.

A nearly stationary front was triggering a few very light sprinkles over West Central Alabama before lunchtime, but they were weakening. A heavy shower had developed near Steele in St. Clair County. It was pushing east southeast and will pass south of Steele in Etowah County.

With the presence of the front in the I-20 corridor, and with a warm, moist airmass in place, there could be a few scattered showers and storms through the afternoon and evening. The chance of any one spot seeing rainfall this afternoon and evening is relatively small, with the best chances coming this afternoon over southwestern sections of Central Alabama, south of Tuscaloosa. Rainfall amounts will be very light.

SHINE ON HARVEST MOON: The Harvest Moon for 2012 will rise tonight at 10:19 p.m. CDT. The Harvest Moon is the closest full moon to the Autumnal Equinox. It is so named because it provided extra light for farm workers getting in the harvest in the days before headlights on tractors. You might have a hard time spotting the Harvest Moon tonight, but hopefully you will catch it in before clouds thickens and showers start to increase overnight from the southwest. Lows will be in the lower and middle 60s.

FOOTBALL FORECAST UPDATE:
The Blazers are taking on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane this afternoon at Legion Field. Skies will be mostly cloudy and while we can’t rule out a few sprinkles or an isolated shower, precipitation looks unlikely. The kickoff temperature will be around 80F, falling back into the 70s during the game.

Jacksonville State will host SE Missouri State this afternoon (3:00 p.m. kickoff). Again, a very small chance of a shower during the game with temperatures falling from near 80 at kickoff into the 70s by halftime.

Alabama entertains the Ole Miss Rebels in their SEC opener at Bryant Deny Stadium tonight at 8:15. Showers will be massing to the south of Tuscaloosa during this late game, and hopefully they won’t work up into the area. Keep the rain gear close, but I don’t think you will need it. Temperatures will start off in the middle 70s, falling to near 70F by the end of the game.

Auburn of course, gets a breather this week with a bye on the schedule.

Category: Alabama's Weather