SUNNY TUESDAY: Dry air covers Alabama this morning… expect a sunny day ahead with a high between 85 and 90 degrees this afternoon. Heat levels rise a bit tomorrow; a large part of the state will see 90 degree heat with a sunny sky. The weather stays generally dry Thursday, although a few spotty afternoon showers are possible.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Moisture levels rise, and showers are possible Friday mainly over the southern half of the state. Then, as a slow moving surface front/upper trough approaches we will deal with a relatively wet weekend. A few points about weekend weather…
*The weekend won’t be a total washout, but expect periods of rain Saturday and Sunday
*While we aren’t expecting severe thunderstorms, some thunder is very possible both days
*Beneficial rain is likely; rain amounts will be in the 2-3 inch range for much of the state
*Heat levels drop due to clouds and rain; highs will be in the low to mid 80s for most places
Drier air begins to arrive Monday; showers become isolated and mainly over the southern half of the state. And, for now, the rest of the week looks generally rain-free with highs in the 70s, and lows in the 50s and 60s. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: There are two weak tropical storms in the Atlantic basin far from land. Fay and Hanna will dissipate by tomorrow night; the rest of the Atlantic remains very quiet.
Hurricane Polo, with winds of 80 mph, will move over the Gulf of California this morning before moving into mainland Mexico this afternoon. It will dissipate over northern Mexico, but its mid-level remnants may produce strong gusty winds well inland over the higher terrain of northwest Mexico, southern New Mexico, and far western Texas.
No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected near the Gulf or the U.S. for at least the next seven days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State Saturday (11a CT kickoff). Periods of rain are likely during the game, with some potential for lightning as well. Temperatures will hover in the low 80s.
Auburn is also on the road; they play Tennessee in Knoxville (2:30p CT kickoff). Occasional showers are likely, and a thunderstorm is possible as well. Temperatures will hover around 80 degrees during the game.
UAB will host Samford at Protective Stadium in Birmingham Saturday (2:30p CT kickoff). It will be a cloudy afternoon with periods of rain and potential for a thunderstorm. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s at kickoff.
Tuskegee, South Alabama, West Alabama all have home games; you will need the rain gear as rain is likely across all of Alabama Saturday and Saturday night. There will be some breaks in the rain, but the overall pattern is wet.
ON THIS DATE IN 1927: An outbreak of tornadoes from Oklahoma to Indiana caused 81 deaths and 25 million dollars damage. A tornado, possibly two tornadoes, cut an eight-mile long path across St Louis, Missouri, to Granite City, Illinois, killing 79 persons.
ON THIS DATE IN 1959: Hurricane Gracie came ashore on Edisto Island, South Carolina as a Category 4 with 130 mph winds, the strongest storm to hit South Carolina until Hugo in 1989. It caused 22 deaths and $14 million in damage.
Look for the next video briefing here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
