Its getting hot out there at this hour across Central Alabama, as some communities in the area have heat indices at or near 100. Skies across the area are mostly clear with a few puffy cumulus clouds floating around. We do have some scattered shower and storm activity popping up in west-central parts of the state. There are even a few showers that have popped up in Tuscaloosa, Bibb, and Jefferson counties. These are moving off to the south-southeast, but I’m crossing my fingers that more will form and bring some relief from this heat.
TEMPERATURES AT THIS HOUR: Heat is building as we start to reach the daytime maximum temperatures for the day across the area. Here is a list of temperature observations from across the area:
Birmingham 91
Tuscaloosa 89
Gadsden 86
Anniston 89
Cullman 90
Hamilton 89
Clinton 91
Alexander City 88
Montgomery 91
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR TODAY: An upper high is building into the state from our west, and that means mostly sunny skies and fewer afternoon showers and storms due to warmer air aloft. This also means higher heat levels, as afternoon highs will range in the mid to upper 90s. Heat indices will be above 100, so please use common sense if you are outdoors. Rain chances are not zero, but the odds of any one spot getting rain will be about 1 in 5.
CODE YELLOW AIR QUALITY: The Air Quality Index for the Birmingham Metropolitan Area will be in the “Code Yellow” for ozone and particulate matter 2.5. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
TODAY’S CLIMATOLOGY FOR BIRMINGHAM: The normal high for July 20th is 91, while the normal low is 70. The record high for today was set back in 2000 at 100. The record low was set back in 1947 at 60.
THURSDAY’S WEATHER: Same forecast , just on a different day. Hot and humid again tomorrow, with a small risk of a scattered afternoon shower or thunderstorm. Skies will be mostly sunny, and afternoon highs will range in the mid to upper 90s, with a few communities hitting 100. Odds of any one spot getting rain will be about 1 in 5.
HEADED TO THE BEACH: Great weather continues; mostly sunny days, fair nights though the weekend from Gulf Shores over to Panama City Beach. But, of course, you will probably deal with a passing storm from time to time. Highs on the immediate coast 88-91, with mid 90s inland. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.
THE TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains very quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the next five days.
ON THIS DATE IN 1997: Hurricane Danny has just moved into the Alabama Gulf Coast, and was only creeping along. Radar estimated an incredible 43 inches of storm total rain over the open water in Mobile Bay. Observing sites reported from 30-40 inches across the area with Dauphin Island reporting 36.71 inches.
WEATHERBRAINS: This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists at ABC 33/40. You can listen anytime on the web, or on iTunes. You can find it here.
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