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ON THE RADAR: Strong thunderstorms have fired up over the western third of Alabama this afternoon, while the eastern two-thirds of the state remains dry. The West Alabama storms are packing a punch, and producing heavy rain… some of the heavier storms at mid-afternoon were just south of Tuscaloosa, and from near Greensboro to Demopolis to York. Storms are moving slowly to the east. These showers and storms should fade quickly once the sun goes down, and remain generally over the western side of the state.
**As I complete this a storm over Tuscaloosa is now producing hail up to 1 inch in diameter, torrential rain, and gusty winds.
TOMORROW: SPC maintains their standard “slight risk” of severe weather for about the northern half of Alabama as a strong cold front approaches (for August). Showers and storms are likely, and the stronger storms will have potential for hail and gusty winds. While the best chance of showers and thunderstorms will come tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night; we can’t rule out some morning rain as well. We won’t make it out of the 80s due to the clouds and showers.
OUR WEEKEND: Drier air will slowly work southward. Looks like the far northern part of Alabama (the Tennessee Valley) will be mostly dry all weekend. On Saturday, we will need to maintain a chance of showers and storms from roughly I-59 south (along and south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Gadsden). Then, by Sunday, the best chance of showers and storms will be along and south of a line from near Livingston to Clanton to Roanoke as the drier air moves deeper into North Alabama. Temperatures will remain below average, with highs in the 80s over the weekend.
NEXT WEEK: The northern half half of Alabama should be in dry, continental air Monday and Tuesday; this would mean mostly sunny days, low humidity, and cooler nights. We might reach the 50s in spots early Monday or Tuesday morning. Then, moisture slowly returns with showers and storms possible by Wednesday, but model agreement has not been the best. See the Weather Xtreme video for details.
TROPICAL STORM GORDON: The new storm formed last night in the Central Atlantic; it is a high latitude system and will move east over the open water of the Atlantic; no threat to any land mass (perhaps skirting the Azores early in the weekend). The remnants of TD 7 are over the Bay of Campeche… there is a small window for some organization before it moves inland again over North Mexico.
GULF COAST WEATHER: Look for a general increase in the number of showers and storms along the coast tomorrow through Sunday with only 2-4 hours of sun each day. Still, the weekend won’t be a “wash-out”, but there is a good chance of you will have to dodge raindrops from time to time. Highs will be in the upper 80s, and sea water temperatures are generally in the mid 80s.
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I had a great time today seeing a huge crowd at the Gadsden Public Library… be looking for those kids today at 5:00 on the Pepsi KIDCAM on ABC 33/40 News. The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow….
