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Once again today, a classic case of random thunderstorm development on a summer afternoon in Alabama. The showers and storms are moving slowly and erratically, and a few spots have picked up over one inch of rain from the heavier downpours. On the other hand, a majority of Alabama neighborhoods remained dry today. The stronger storms are producing lots of lightning, and they will have the potential for a few small wet microbursts along the way; J.B. will keep you posted on their progress for the rest of the afternoon.
LOOKING AHEAD: No real change through Thursday; hot and humid days with a partly sunny sky and the chance of scattered, mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. Highs should remain in the 90 to 93 degree range.
We still expect a general increase in the coverage of showers and storms Friday and Saturday as an upper air trough forms over the eastern seaboard, and a surface front approaches from the north. Rain on these days should average one-half to one inch, and some spots might even see more from the stronger storms.
The new run of the GFS (12Z) holds the front up near the Alabama/Tennessee border Sunday, and if this solution is correct drier air might not reach Alabama on Sunday. We do have to remember that Sunday is the first of July, and frontal passages in July are pretty rare around here. If the trend continues we might be able to maintain the chance of scattered showers and storms on through Sunday and Monday, but for now our ongoing forecast has the best chance of showers on those days south of Birmingham.
LONG RANGE: The trend still looks intact; the most intense heat will be over the western half of the nation during the first half of July, with temperatures and rainfall near normal around here.
TROPICS: All remains quiet across the Atlantic basin this afternoon….
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I really enjoyed my visit to the Tarrant Public Library this morning… be looking for those kids on the KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News… and J.B. will keep the blog updated with fresh information on the thunderstorm situation for the rest of the afternoon…
