RADAR CHECK: Heaviest rain across Alabama early this morning is over parts of Southeast Alabama, where flash flood warnings are in effect for parts of Geneva, Coffee, Dale, Henry, and Houston counties. Elsewhere we have scattered areas of light rain over the southern 2/3 of the state.
Rain will taper off over the next few hours, but scattered showers remain possible mainly over the southern half of the state this afternoon. Highs will be generally in the low to mid 80s.
DRIER: Most of Alabama will be rain-free tomorrow through Thursday with partly to mostly sunny, warm days and fair pleasant nights. Highs will stay in the 80s… a few spots might even touch 90 degrees late in the week. On Friday will mention a chance of showers over the southern quarter of the state, but North and Central Alabama will stay dry.
THE WEEKEND: A tropical low will likely bring widespread rain to Alabama over the weekend. But with any tropical system in the early stages there is great uncertainty… the amount of rain we see, placement, and timing will all depend on how the tropical low develops. For now it looks like rain over South Alabama early Saturday will spread northward during the day, becoming widespread statewide Saturday night into Sunday. Keep in mind the southern quarter of the state has received 4-7 inches of rain over the past few days, and with saturated soil conditions more flooding issues will be possible if the tropical system behaves as currently forecast.
The weather will trend drier next week… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: A surface trough of low pressure has developed along the coast of Mexico in the southwestern Gulf. Although environmental conditions are expected to be only marginally conducive, gradual development of this system is possible and a tropical depression could form by the second half of this week while it initially drifts eastward before turning northward.
NHC gives the feature a 50 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm. Most global models show it moving into Southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi Saturday, mainly as a big rain maker. If it becomes a tropical storm, the name will be Isaias (ees-ah-EE-ahs).
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama hosts Georgia Saturday night in Tuscaloosa (6:30p CT kickoff). At the moment widespread rain looks likely, but there is considerable uncertainty at this time and understand the forecast could easily change since a tropical system is involved. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 70s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1972: Tropical Storm Joanne, earlier a hurricane, moved across the Baja California peninsula and came ashore in western Mexico south of Ajo. The storm brought heavy rain and flooding to much of Arizona. This storm is the first documented tropical storm to reach Arizona, with its cyclonic circulation intact.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
