Published on: October 2, 2018 at 3:36 PM

OCTOBER HEAT: The average high for Birmingham today (October 2) is 80; temperatures this afternoon are generally in the 85 to 89 degree range with a good supply of sunshine. As usual, Tuscaloosa is the hot spot with 90 degrees. We note a few very small, isolated showers over the northern third of the state… they will end once the sun goes down later this evening.

REST OF THE WEEK: A strong upper high means little change. Mostly sunny, very warm days, fair nights. The chance of any one location seeing an afternoon shower is less than 10 percent, and highs will remain in the 87 to 90 degree range. No records, but temperatures will run about 10 degrees above average for early October.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A very high amplitude pattern develops across the nation, with a cold upper trough in the western states with below average temperatures and mountain snow, and the eastern ridge which will feature summer-like weather. The ridge will continue to influence Alabama weather, meaning dry weather here Saturday and Sunday with lots of sun and highs in the upper 80s.

NEXT WEEK: No change for the first half of the week, but there is evidence a few showers or storms could return late in the week as the pattern begins to break down. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: Leslie should become a hurricane tonight or tomorrow in the Atlantic, but it is far from land, and will stay far from land over the next five days. It will weaken late this week as it begins to gain latitude. And, a weak surface low north of Panama, in the Southwest Caribbean, has only a 20 percent chance of developing over the next five days. The rest of the Atlantic basin is quiet. The hurricane season runs through the end of November.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

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I had a great time today visiting with the students at Indian Valley Elementary in Sylacauga… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…