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WET IS THE WORD: Unsettled weather continues across Alabama through the weekend. Loud thunder is rumbling as I write this at 5:15 a.m…. scattered pockets of storms continue across this part of Alabama, producing heavy rain in spots and gusty winds. The storm that blew through Tuscaloosa last night at 10:00 produced some tree and power line damage and localized flooding, and we will see more of the same today.
The NWS in Huntsville has issued a flash flood watch for their CWA; for now Birmingham opted not to issue one, but it could be needed later as the ground becomes saturated and more rain falls. Flash flood watches extend westward all the way to Texas, where a big MCS (mesoscale convective system) is blowing through the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex this morning.
THE DAYS AHEAD: No major change is expected through the weekend, with a broad upper trough axis to the west we will remain in a disturbed southwest flow aloft, and scattered to numerous showers and storms are likely on a daily basis through Sunday. It won’t rain continuously, but a shower or storm could come at any hour of the day or night. Strong storms are likely at times, but a major, organized severe weather event is not expected. And, daytime temperatures will remain below average with highs mostly in the mid 80s.
NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND: The upper ridge tries to rebuild next week, but the general pattern continues into mid-August with a western ridge, and eastern trough over the U.S. This will keep the hottest weather west of Alabama, and around here temperatures should generally stay below average, with rain above average for the next two to three weeks.
GULF COAST WEATHER: You will have to dodge a few passing showers and thunderstorms each day through Sunday, but there will be around 3 to 5 hours of sunshine each day. Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 80s along the immediate coast, and the sea water temperature last night at the Dauphin Island Lea Lab was 85 degrees. And, once again, the tropical Atlantic basin is very quiet and you won’t have to worry about tropical storms or hurricanes in coming days. This will be the first time since 2000 with no named storms through July 31.
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 (AL wx watches/warnings) |
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
