HOT: Temperatures are in the mid to upper 90s over the northern half of the state, with low to mid 90s across South Alabama this afternoon. Rain is basically impossible to find; tonight will be clear with a low in the 68-74 degree range for most communities.
Heat levels will remain elevated across Alabama through the weekend as the upper high across the region hangs tough. Temperatures will rise well into the 90s, and a few spots could touch the 100 degree mark tomorrow and Saturday. This is 10-15 degrees above average, and close to record levels.
Along with the heat comes the lack of rain. A few afternoon/evening showers are possible, but they will be few and far between.
NEXT WEEK: The large scale pattern won’t change much; highs hold in the 90s for the first half of the week. The ridge weakens a bit Wednesday through Friday, when highs drop into the 86-92 degree range. Afternoon showers through the week remain isolated.
And, still no sign of the first good front of the fall season to get us down in the 40s and 50s at night. We will have to wait until October… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Showers and thunderstorms associated with a low pressure area located a few hundred miles east of Bermuda have become less organized over the past several hours. Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for development over the next couple of days as the system moves slowly westward and southward over the subtropical Atlantic.
Chance of development has dropped to 30 percent again. Still no sign of any tropical storms or hurricanes near the U.S. for at least the next seven days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama will host Florida State Saturday afternoon (2:30p CT kickoff at Bryant-Denny)… it will be another very hot September day in Tuscaloosa. Temperatures will be in the 95-100 degree range during most of the game. The chance of a cooling shower is low, but not zero.
Auburn hosts Florida Saturday evening (6:00p CT kickoff at Jordan-Hare); temperatures will fall from near 90 at kickoff into the upper 70s by the final whistle. Any showers across East Alabama will be very isolated.
North Alabama plays their first game in the new Bank Independent Stadium/Bobby Wallace Field Saturday evening against Alcorn State (6:00p CT kickoff). Expect low 90s at kickoff, upper 70s by the final whistle.
Expect similar weather for Saturday evening home games at Jacksonville State, South Alabama, and West Alabama.
ON THIS DATE IN 1989: Hurricane Hugo hit the Virgin Islands, producing wind gusts to 97 mph at Saint Croix. Hurricane Hugo passed directly over the island of Saint Croix causing complete devastation and essentially cutting off the island from communications. A storm surge of five to seven feet occurred at Saint Croix. The only rain gauge left operating, at Caneel Bay, indicated 9.40 inches in 24 hours. Hurricane Hugo claimed the lives of three persons at Saint Croix and caused more than 500 million dollars damage.
ON THIS DATE IN 2004: The remnants of Hurricane Ivan submerged Pittsburgh in 5.95 inches of rain in one day. That is the most rainfall Pittsburgh has seen in a 24-hour period since records began in 1876.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
