Still Hot; Severe Storms Possible Late Tomorrow

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ANOTHER HOT ONE: Birmingham finally hit 90 today for the first time in 2013. We usually see our first 90 degree high in mid to late May (last year we hit 90 for the first time on May 1). Yesterday’s official high was 92 degrees. We project a high in the mid 90s across Alabama today with sunshine through scattered clouds. Warm air aloft should keep the state generally rain-free.

TO THE NORTH: Severe storms will likely develop late this afternoon and tonight and SPC has a “moderate risk” of severe weather defined from near Chicago to Columbus, OH. A larger “slight risk” runs from near Des Moines, IA to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.

SEVERE STORMS FOR ALABAMA TOMORROW: Now SPC has much of our state in the standard “slight risk” of severe weather tomorrow as a surface boundary will move into a very unstable airmass late in the day. Before we deal with storms, temperatures should reach the mid 90s, pushing the surface based CAPE to over 3,500 k/kg. The eastern flank of the upper high (the “death ridge”) will weaken allowing for cooler air aloft, and storms that form will be capable of producing damaging straight line winds and hail. These will be the kind of storms that can knock down trees and power lines.

Severe storms could form over the Tennessee Valley of far North Alabama in the 1:00-3:00 p.m. time frame, but for our part of the state (Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Gadsden)… the main window for severe storms will come from about 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. A number of severe thunderstorm warnings will most likely be required, so be sure you are in a position to hear them.

We note this same system has the potential to bring a tornado outbreak to parts of the Mid-Atlantic region, including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Wilmington.

DRIER AND A LITTLE COOLER FRIDAY: In the wake of the storms, Friday will be a pleasant day. The high will drop back into the upper 80s with lower humidity levels; some of the cooler pockets across North Alabama might even reach the 50s early Saturday morning.

The weekend will be dry with a good supply of sunshine Saturday and Sunday; the high both days should be in the low 90s.

NEXT WEEK: The core of the heat across the continental U.S. remains west of here; and with rising moisture levels we will bring back the risk of “scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms” Monday through Wednesday, with highs holding in the 89-92 degree range.

TROPICS: All is quiet across the Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the week.

GULF COAST WEATHER: About the only issues comes tomorrow night with a band of strong storms moving into the region from the north; while they should be weakening they still will bring lots of lightning and some heavy rain along with gusty winds. Otherwise, we expect about 7 to 9 hours of sunshine today and tomorrow, followed by sunshine in full supply Friday through Sunday. Highs will be in the 80s on the immediate coast, and the sea water temperature this morning is 81 degrees.

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Tags: hot

Category: Alabama's Weather