Dry Air Takes Over

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COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH: We actually have a few isolated showers early this morning along a cold front passing through the state; those showers will be off the screen very shortly, and we expect a good supply of sunshine today and tomorrow with low humidity levels and afternoon highs in the low to mid 80s. Tomorrow morning will be rather refreshing, with early morning temperatures in the 50s. We have to wonder if some of the cooler spots across North Alabama could hit the upper 40s.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: These two days offer somewhat of a forecast challenge. A warm front will move northward during the day Thursday, and has the potential to trigger a shower or storm by the late afternoon or evening hours. The GFS continues to show the most widespread precipitation over the Tennessee Valley region of extreme North Alabama, and north into Tennessee and Kentucky. No doubt we will need to mention at least some risk of an afternoon shower or storm here Thursday. Then, on Friday, short wave energy passes north of here, and will bring a good chance of showers and storms over Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Showers and storms seem likely over extreme North Alabama as well, with some potential for heavy rain around Muscle Shoals and Huntsville. But, as you go south, the rain will be more scattered, and we will continue to just mention a chance of scattered, mainly afternoon showers and storms Friday for the I-20 corridor.

THE WEEKEND: Most of the weekend looks dry for North-Central Alabama as an upper ridge builds, but with sufficient low level moisture, we can’t rule out some risk of widely scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms both Saturday and Sunday. Looks like a very warm weekend, with potential for highs at or just over 90 degrees; it will feel just like summer. The chance of any one spot getting wet Saturday is about one in four, and just one in eight Sunday.

NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND: The maps look more and more like summer as the core of the jet stays north of Alabama; temperatures should remain above average, with rainfall below average through early June. See the Weather Xtreme video for more long range thoughts.

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I have a weather program this morning at Pleasant Grove Elementary… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the day!