RADAR CHECK: Large areas of rain and a few thunderstorms are moving through Alabama early this morning ahead of an upper trough and surface front.
Additional showers will form this afternoon… we note SPC has defined a very low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for a small part of East and Northeast Alabama this afternoon and early tonight.
With the upper trough weakening and lifting well north of Alabama, the overall severe threat is very low. But a strong storm can’t be ruled out with gusty winds this afternoon. Showers and storms will move out of the state tonight.
Tomorrow and Friday will be dry and mild. With a mix of sun and clouds both days afternoon highs will be in the mid 70s for most communities.
THE WEEKEND: Cooler air drops into the Deep South. Expect sunny days with highs in the 60s, morning lows will drop into the 35-45 degree range by early Sunday morning with a good chance of frost over the northern half of the state. Frost is also likely over North Alabama Monday and Tuesday morning.
Dry weather continues through most of next week with just potential for a few isolated showers by Thursday and Friday… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: An area of low pressure is expected to form over the next day or so along a weakening front a few hundred miles south of Bermuda. This system could gradually acquire some subtropical characteristics late this week or this weekend while it moves slowly eastward over the western and central subtropical Atlantic. By early next week, environmental conditions are forecast to become unfavorable for further development. Chance of development is 40 percent.
No tropical storms are expected near the Gulf or the U.S. for at least the next 7-10 days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn hosts Arkansas Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium (11:45a CT kickoff)… the sky will be sunny with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.
Alabama will be in Baton Rouge to play LSU (2:30p CT kickoff)… it will be a sunny day there with temperatures in the mid 70s during the first half, falling into the upper 60s by the final whistle.
The weather looks excellent for all of the games played in Alabama Saturday; a clear sky with a high between 65 and 70 degrees. For evening games temperatures will fall quickly into the 50s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1935: The “Yankee Hurricane” made landfall just north of Miami Beach with winds of 100 mph. In Florida the storm killed nine people and injured more than 150 others. Unlike most storms that approach South Florida from the southeast or south, this system tracked south and southwest from higher latitudes (prompting locals to nickname it the “Yankee” hurricane because it came from the north).
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
