RADAR CHECK: We have a few spotty showers over East and Northeast Alabama this afternoon… storms are not as strong as recent days, and much of the state is dry. Clouds are over North Alabama, and temperatures there are holding in the 70s; quite the change from the heat of recent days. A few spots across South Alabama are in the low 90s this afternoon where the sun is out.
Scattered showers end quickly after sunset this evening.
Drier air rolls into the Deep South tonight, and most of Alabama will be rain-free tomorrow through the weekend. Heat levels will continue to come down; highs will be in the low to mid 80s tomorrow and Friday, followed by mid to upper 80s over the weekend. Mornings will be pleasant with lows in the 50s and 60s.
NEXT WEEK: Moisture levels rise, and a few scattered showers/storms are possible Monday and Tuesday. Global models are now giving signals of an organized rain/storm event Wednesday night or Thursday… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: An area of low pressure located a couple of hundred miles southwest off the coast of western Africa is gradually becoming better defined, and the associated shower and thunderstorm activity has increased since yesterday. This system could become a short-lived tropical depression tomorrow or Friday while it moves northwestward to northward. However, strong upper-level winds should end the opportunity for development by the weekend.
Also, showers and thunderstorms have increased with the remnants of Fay located several hundred miles southwest of the Azores. While environmental conditions are only marginally conducive for development, this system could become a tropical depression again today or tonight if the current thunderstorm activity persists. The system is forecast to move westward during the next couple of days, and by the weekend upper-level winds should inhibit formation chances.
No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected near the U.S. or the Gulf for at least the next 7-10 days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: UAB has a Friday night special this week… the Blazers host Navy (6:00p CT kickoff at Protective Stadium). The sky will be clear with temperatures falling from near 83 at kickoff into the 70s during the second half.
Auburn hosts Vandy Saturday (3:15p CT kickoff at Jordan-Hare)… the sky will be sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
Alabama will play South Carolina Saturday night in Tuscaloosa (6:00p CT kickoff at Bryant-Denny)… expect a clear sky with temperatures falling from the low 80s at kickoff into the 70s during the second half.
Jacksonville State, Alabama State, North Alabama, and Samford all have home games; Saturday will be dry statewide with a high in the 80s… temperatures come down into the 70s soon after sunset.
ON THIS DATE IN 1975: Hurricane Eloise made landfall as a major hurricane about 10 miles east of Fort Walton Beach at 7a CT. According to the NOAA Assessment, Herbert Saffir estimated winds in excess of 120 mph based on the structural wind damage he observed. Shortly after Eloise made landfall, a peak wind gust of 115 mph was recorded at Eglin AFB (before the instrument failed) with 85 mph gusts at Hurlburt Field.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
