RADAR CHECK: Most of Alabama is rain-free early this morning, but we note a few isolated showers over the southern quarter of the state. Expect a high today in the 88-93 degree range, and the best chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon will remain over South Alabama.
The weather won’t change much over the weekend. Just a few isolated afternoon showers around over the central and southern counties with highs generally in the low 90s.
NEXT WEEK: An upper ridge will be in place, meaning rising heat levels and only spotty, isolated afternoon showers. Afternoon highs rise into the mid 90s over the latter half of the week, and the best chance of a cooling shower will remain across South Alabama. Highs will likely hold in the mid 90s through the following weekend (September 5-6)… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: For tonight’s high school games temperatures will fall from the mid 80s at kickoff, into the 70s by the final whistle. A few showers will be around during the evening hours across the southern third of the state.
TROPICS: Tropical Storm Dolly early this morning is about 1140 miles east of the Leeward Islands. It remains a weak system with sustained winds of only 40 mph… it is moving rapidly to the west at 24 mph. The combination of increasing southerly vertical wind shear, dry air, and Dolly’s fast forward speed should limit any notable intensification. In fact, all of the reliable models show the storm gradually losing strength and degenerating into a trough of low pressure before it reaches the Lesser Antilles this weekend.
The remnant trough has potential to bring some beneficial rain to Puerto Rico and some of the Caribbean Islands that are in the midst of a major drought.
The rest of the Atlantic basin remains very quiet.
ON THIS DATE IN 1990: Between 3:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. a devastating F5 tornado ripped a 16.4 mile-long path through portions of Kendall and Will counties in northern Illinois. A total of 29 people were killed, and 350 more were injured.
ON THIS DATE IN 2005: Hurricane Katrina attained Category 5 status on the morning of August 28 and reached its peak strength during the midday hours, with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph and a minimum central pressure of 902 mb.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
