As we approach 4 pm on Friday afternoon, it is apparent that Hurricane Sam is starting to really get his act together, as satellite images are now starting the formation of an eye at the center of the cyclone.
CLOUDLESS SKY: A very dry airmass is over Alabama today; temperatures are mostly in the mid to upper 70s this afternoon. The average high for Birmingham on September 24 is 84. Tonight will be clear and cool with temperatures dropping into the 48-55 degree range early tomorrow.
A $1.1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will aid in the restoration of the A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham.
We continue to stay rather active out in the tropics as we have four areas of interest to keep our eyes on. You know about Hurricane Sam already. His next advisory will come out around 4pm.
The sky is full if sunshine, humidity levels remain low, and temperatures this afternoon are in the mid to upper 70s, which remain below average for this time of year.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 75 mph, with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to resume over the next several days, and Sam is likely to become a major hurricane on Saturday.
LONG DRY SPELL AHEAD: Today will be another picture perfect autumn day for Alabama with ample sunshine along with a high between 75 and 79 degrees. Dry air will continue to cover the state over the weekend and next week, and for now we see no chance of rain for at least the next seven days. Lots sunshine each day, clear at night… look for highs in the low 80s over the weekend, followed by mid 80s for much of next week. Lows over the weekend will be in the 50s, then in the low 60s next week.
As of the 10 pm update, Tropical Storm Sam continues in the process of rapid intensification as wind speeds have increased by another 10 mph and the pressure has dropped by another 3 mb down to 997 mb.
Alabama Power will test warning sirens downstream of Lay and Mitchell dams on Thursday, Sept. 30. The sirens will be sounded at or around noon and will be preceded by a voice announcement.
