A Few Showers/Storms Later Today

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SHOWERS LATER: It is a quiet morning across the great state of Alabama; no rain on radar at daybreak. A shear axis, now west of the state, will bring a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms later today; best chance of seeing a shower comes from about 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. It won’t rain everywhere, but some spots could see a pretty good downpour. Today should be warmer than yesterday; we reach the mid 80s in most places this afternoon as the wedge pattern is breaking down.

We should note Birmingham’s official high yesterday was only 78… and we still have not reached 90 degrees this year.

TOMORROW: An upper ridge will nose into Alabama from the west; warmer air aloft associated with the ridge should keep most of the state dry, although we sure can’t rule out an afternoon shower or storm somewhere, especially over the eastern half of the state. Tomorrow high will be in the upper 80s as it will feel like June again.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: The upper ridge weakens, and a cold front approaches Alabama from the north. Showers and storms will impact the northern third of the state tomorrow afternoon, drifting south down into the central part of the state tomorrow night. Some of the storms late Thursday could pack a punch with some potential for hail and gusty winds.

The front will stall out somewhere around here Friday, and we will keep the chance of showers and storms in the forecast. Some chance drier air moves into the northeast corner of the state, so places like Scottsboro and Fort Payne could be rain-free with lower dew points.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: We will roll with the typical summer forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Partly sunny days with the risk of afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms in scattered spots. The GFS continues to insist the western half of the state will be in drier Sunday, but I am not ready to buy into that solution just yet. Highs both days will be in the 87 to 90 degree range.

Another surface front will drop down from the north and could bring an enhanced coverage of showers and storms early next week on Monday and Tuesday. See the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and details.

AT THE BEACH: A pretty good chance of showers and storms again today from Panama City over to Gulf Shores, but the weather looks much better tomorrow through the weekend, with a good supply of sunshine each day and only isolated showers/storms. Highs on the immediate coast will stay in the 80s, and the sea water temperature this morning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is 78 degrees.

TROPICAL OUTLOOK: Tropical storm formation is not expected over the Atlantic basin over the next 48 hours. The GFS continues to develop some type of tropical low around the Yucatan Channel this weekend, but it will move northeast IF if develops, and is not expected to be a factor for the Central Gulf Coast. Keep in mind the core of the tropical season comes later, especially in August and September, when the ocean water temperatures peak for the summer.

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Tags: scattered storms

Category: Alabama's Weather