HOT AUGUST WEATHER: Alabama’s weather should be hot in August, and the weather will be hot for the next 7-10 days as an upper ridge parks across the Deep South. Most places will see a high in the mid 90s today and tomorrow, followed by upper 90s over the weekend. No doubt a few spots could touch the 100 degree mark, especially over the western half of the state.
And, every August afternoon we have a few random thunderstorms around Alabama, and that will be the case through Sunday. Most of the scattered storms will come from noon to midnight, and the higher coverage will be over the southern half of the state. Like recent days, heavier storms will produce strong wind gusts and lots of lightning. And remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lighting, even if it isn’t raining. “When thunder roars, go indoors”.
NEXT WEEK: No major changes. Hot summer weather with highs in the 90s and a few spotty showers and thunderstorms around during the afternoon and evening hours. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: There are two tropical waves to watch in the Atlantic….
*Invest 92L is midway between the Lesser Antilles and the west coast of Africa. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development during the next day or so, and a tropical depression will likely form while the system moves westward to west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic. Beginning on Friday, upper-level winds are likely to become too strong for development as the system approaches the Lesser Antilles. 92L will likely dissipate before reaching the Caribbean.
*Invest 94L is a few hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands… it is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are forecast to be generally conducive for some development, and a tropical depression could form late this week or this weekend while the wave moves westward or west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. If anything develops and survives, it will likely turn north into the open Atlantic north of the Lesser Antilles.
No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected near the contiguous U.S. for at least the next 7-10 days.
ON THIS DATE IN 2004: Hurricane Charley made landfall on August 13, 2004, near Cayo Costa, Florida, around 3:45 p.m. EDT as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 150 mph. Charley then continued to produce severe damage as it made landfall on the peninsula in Punta Gorda. It continued to the north-northeast along the Peace River corridor, devastating Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Cleveland, Fort Ogden, Nocatee, Arcadia, Zolfo Springs, Sebring, Lake Placid, and Wauchula. Zolfo Springs was isolated for nearly two days as large trees, power poles, power lines, transformers, and debris filled the streets. Wauchula sustained gusts to 147 mph; buildings in the downtown areas caved onto Main Street.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
