TEMPERATURE WATCH
The mercury stood at 92F at 11 a.m. at the Birmingham Airport, a degree above yesterday. The official high at the Birmingham Airport was 99F on Saturday, the hottest so far in 2007. So we could reach the century mark today at several locations across the area.
We reached the century mark three times last year with readings of 100F on June 21st and 22nd and August 8th. Interestingly, before that, we had not reached 100F since August 29, 2000.
Record highs for Birmingham
102 – August 5th
101 – August 6th
103 – August 7th
104 – August 8th
102 – August 9th
100 – August 10th
99 – August 11th
SATELLITE
Fewer clouds across the northern half of Alabama today as compared to yesterday. Cumulus clouds will be forming quickly as convective temperatures are reached across the area.
RADAR
All quiet for now, but isolated storms will develop again this afternoon. Those that do form will pack a punch, with lots of lightning and thunder, brief heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
HEAT ADVISORIES IN OUR FUTURE
The morning run of the GFS backs off just a bit on the upper level high for this week, but it still looks hot for sure in the coming days ahead. There is not a lot of difference between the upper 90s and 100, and with the humidity, heat index values will approach the 110F range. Throw in the fact that overnight lows will be at or above 75 mark and you reach the criteria for a Heat Advisory.
ANY RELIEF IN SIGHT?
Excessive heat through the end of the week ahead. Isolated storms Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, the ridge should be strong enough to suppress thunderstorm development. But by the end of the week, a trough will be forming along the East Coast and this will give a chance for some cooler conditions and increased shower chances by the weekend.
