An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player below, and on iTunes…
I really think we have moved from “very warm” to “hot” today. At 2:00 Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa were all reporting 89 degrees. I fully expect a few spots to reach the low 90s within the hour as sunshine continues in ample supply.
We do note those isolated storms over the far northwest part of Alabama; they have formed in a region of very high instability (SB CAPE values in excess of 3500 j/kg). They will die quickly once the sun goes down this evening, and should be confined to the northwest corner of the state. Our friends at the NWS office in Huntsville did receive a report of 1/2″ diameter hail in Russellville from a strong storm this afternoon.
I really don’t think the weather changes all that much tomorrow. Lots of sun, a very warm (hot) afternoon, and just a few isolated thunderstorms over the northern quarter of the state (mainly along and north of U.S. 278, or north of a line from Hamilton to Cullman to Gadsden). The chance of showers along the I-20/59 corridor tomorrow looks pretty slim.
THE WEEKEND: We still project the best chance of scattered showers and storms Saturday afternoon and evening as a weak surface boundary pushes down our way from the north. The chance of any one lawn getting wet is about one in three, and most of the showers and storms will come from about 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. No drought-buster, but at least a little water will get in the ground. Then, on Sunday, much drier moves in from the north, and we have removed any chance of rain on Sunday over the northern half of the state. Look for a high in the mid 80s on Saturday, with lows 80s on Sunday. Sunday should also feature lower humidity values.
NEXT WEEK: The weather looks pleasant on Monday and Tuesday with seasonal temperatures and a good supply of sunshine. The humidity will remain low, and nights will be a little cooler. Then, the 12Z GFS really speeds up the next system, and brings a cold front in here Wednesday night. That front has the potential to bring a pretty decent coverage of showers and storms to the state. And, we should note confidence in the specific timing of that system is not really high since the model just yesterday had projected the best chance of rain with it on Thursday and Friday of next week. But again, the 12Z run is showing the best chance of showers and storms on Wednesday of next week, followed by dry air on Thursday and Friday.
ANDREA: Our sub-tropical system southeast of Jacksonville is weakening, and really will create no significant problems for the Florida or Georgia coast. If anything, the wind on the west side of the circulation is making the danger of additional wildfires greater in the region. The system should fizzle out by the end of the week.
WEATHER PARTY: Get all the latest weather news over on our sister site, WeatherParty.com. Be sure and register while you are there; you can submit stories and vote on them to determine what is published on the front page.
I enjoyed speaking to the New Neighbors League Club of Birmingham this afternoon… Birmingham is becoming quite a “melting pot” with folks moving in here from all over the nation. I will have the next Weather Xtreme video posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow!
