**No afternoon Weather Xtreme video today… having to deal with severe weather over Northwest Alabama**
Big storms continue over Northwest Alabama where severe thunderstorm warnings have been required, and a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect (scroll down for those warnings)…
Remember, storms today are moving southwest around the upper high northwest of Alabama… the “ring of fire” effect. The main threats are from small hail and microbursts, local areas of damaging straight line winds that can knock down trees and power lines. Interesting to note the NWS did a storm survey at Moulton, in Lawrence County, where there was very significant damage last night, and the determined that wind speeds were near 115 mph there.
OUR WEEKEND: Not much change; scattered showers and storms remain possible tomorrow and Sunday, mostly during the afternoon and evening hours. Heat levels slowly fall, with temperatures peaking in the mid 90s tomorrow and low 90s Sunday. Like recent days, the best chance of storms will come during the afternoon and evening hours, and they could pack a punch.
NEXT WEEK: Heat levels continue to drop as the heat bubble moves to the western part of the U.S. The 12Z GFS is printing highs in the 85 to 90 degree range every day next week, which is very refreshing for July in Alabama. And, we expect scattered to numerous showers and storms with a stalled front just north of here. Below is the ECMWF output valid Tuesday morning at 500 mb, and really tells the story…
The morning Weather Xtreme video will give you all the details.
AT THE BEACH: There was a big thunderstorm complex on the coast this morning, but the sun is shining this afternoon. For the weekend and early next week, expect about 6 to 8 hours of sun each day with the standard risk of scattered showers and storms. Highs in the 86-90 degree range, and water temperatures are generally in the mid 80s from Panama City west to Gulf Shores.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…
Stay tuned to the blog for updates on the storms in progress across Alabama this evening and have a great weekend…
