RADAR CHECK: Scattered storms are mainly confined to Northeast Alabama this afternoon, where some spots have received 2-4 inches of rain. A flash flood warning was issued for northern Cherokee County. The rest of the state is generally hot and dry with temperatures in the low to mid 90s. Storms over Northeast Alabama will fade tonight after sunset.
An upper ridge will slowly strengthen across Alabama and the Deep South in coming days, meaning our weather will trend hotter and drier. Understand there is always the risk of a pop-up shower or storm on any summer afternoon here, but they will be fewer in number thanks to the ridge. It brings warmer air aloft, a more stable atmosphere, and sinking air motion that offsets the rising air from the summer heat.
The chance of any one spot seeing a shower or storm tomorrow is 20-30 percent, then the probability drops to 10-20 percent Thursday through the weekend. Afternoon highs will be generally in the low 90s today and tomorrow, followed by mid 90s Thursday through Sunday. Some spots could reach the upper 90s this weekend. And, of course, with the higher dew points here in summer the heat index will exceed 100.
NEXT WEEK: Not much change. The ridge will be relatively strong, meaning sizzling summer days with highs in the 90s. Afternoon showers and storms will remain isolated… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Disorganized showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave are occurring around 550 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development during the next couple of days, and a tropical depression will likely form during the latter half of this week while the system moves westward to west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic. Probability of development is now 70 percent.
This system will likely approach the northern Leeward Islands 4-5 days; it will deal with dry air and strong winds aloft which will likely keep the system weak, and dissipation is possible. If anything survives it could turn north into the open Atlantic, or keep moving west/northwest in the direction of Puerto Rico/Hispaniola.
No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected near the continuous U.S. for at least the next 7-10 days.
ON THIS DATE IN 1940: A Category 2 hurricane struck the Georgia and South Carolina coast. A 13-foot storm tide was measured along the South Carolina coast, while over 15 inches of rain fell across northern North Carolina. Significant flooding and landslides struck Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia during the system’s slow trek as a weakening tropical storm, and then as an extratropical cyclone, through the Southeast. The landslides which struck North Carolina were considered a once in a century event.
ON THIS DATE IN 1999: An F2 tornado touched down in the metropolitan area of Salt Lake City. The tornado lasted ten minutes and killed one person, injured more than 80 people, and caused more than $170 million in damages. It was the most destructive tornado in Utah’s history and awakened the entire state’s population to the fact that the Beehive State does experience tornadoes.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
