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BIG RAIN TOTALS: First off, our friends in Tuscaloosa and much of West Alabama must really feel short changed this morning; as of 5:00 a.m. parts of Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Lamar, and Pickens counties have not received one drop of rain over the past 24 hours. But, the rest of the state has been soaked. See the Weather Xtreme video for the graphics, but amounts of 2 to 3 inches have been fairly common over parts of North-Central and Northeast Alabama. The axis of the heaviest rain has been from Huntsville down to Gadsden and Anniston. At my place in North Shelby County, the total is 2.05″.
I know the pre-dawn storms have been very loud, but you have to remember the severe weather criteria has nothing to do with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain; you must have 3/4″ diameter hail or larger, or winds of 58 mph or greater. Almost all of the storms this morning have been well below those limits. And, again, the rain has been very beneficial and welcomed.
TODAY: We will maintain a good chance of showers and storms today, but by afternoon we believe the most significant rain will drop south, as the morning storms stabilize the air over North Alabama. For those of you in West Alabama that have not received rain, you should get a good bit this morning. Highs should be mostly in the 80s today due to the clouds and showers. The rain should be out of the Birmingham metro area for tonight’s Southern League All-Star game at Regions Park.
TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY: While we will hang on to a chance of widely scattered showers and storms on these days, the upper ridge will re-build, and with the warmer air aloft storms that form during the afternoon should be widely spaced. Afternoon temperatures will rise back into the low 90s, maybe mid 90s in spots.
THURSDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND: The upper ridge breaks down again Thursday as high amplitude upper trough forms over the eastern third of the nation. This should bring a marked increase in shower and thunderstorm activity to Alabama Thursday and Friday. Highs will drop into the 80s, and like yesterday and last night, some beneficial rain is very possible. Saturday, drier air begins to nose into the Tennessee Valley, but showers and storms will remain likely along and south of I-59. Then, by Sunday, the GFS suggests much of Alabama will in drier air. Now remember, this is mid to late July, and intrusions of dry air are not exactly common, but we will lean toward dry weather Sunday and Monday.
AT THE BEACH: Expect about 6 to 8 hours of sunshine each day this week along the Gulf Coast from Panama City west to Gulf Shores, with a few scattered showers and storms along the way. Highs will be in the upper 80s on the immediate coast.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 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. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left. We will record a new episode tonight; it will be posted by 10:30.
FOLLOW ALONG: Here are our weather team Twitter accounts….
James Spann
Jason Simpson
Ashley Brand
J.B. Elliott
Bill Murray
Brian Peters
Dr. Tim Coleman
E-Warn (Alabama severe weather watches and warnings)
Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
