RADAR CHECK: We have a few scattered areas of rain and thunderstorms across Alabama early this morning, and patchy dense fog is over the Tennessee Valley. Today expect a mix of sun and clouds, with additional showers/storms this afternoon in scattered spots. Most of the ones that form this afternoon will be over the southern half of the state; today’s high will be in the 87-93 degree range.
TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND: Fairly routine late August weather is the story, but the trend will be toward fewer scattered showers and storms as an upper ridge begins to build in from the west. Best chance of an afternoon shower or thunderstorm will be over the southern half of the state, and afternoon highs will be in the low 90s.
NEXT WEEK: The ridge strengthens, and heat levels slowly rise, with afternoon highs reaching the mid 90s over the latter half of the week. Afternoon showers or storms are possible, but they should be widely spaced thanks to the ridge. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: Satellite imagery indicate that showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of low pressure (Invest 96L), located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, have become better organized. If the current trends continue, advisories could be initiated on a short-lived tropical depression or storm later today. However, environmental conditions are expected to become hostile beginning tomorrow, likely ending its chances for development.
Chance of short term development is 70 percent. No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected over the Gulf for at least the next ten days.
LUNAR ECLIPSE TONIGHT: Alabama will get a spectacular deep partial lunar eclipse tonight. The eclipse begins subtly around 8:23p CT, but the really noticeable partial eclipse begins at 9:33p CT. The peak comes a little before 11:15p CT, when about 96% of the Moon will be covered by Earth’s dark shadow. The Moon will take on a dramatic reddish-orange color. No special glasses are needed—just hope for breaks in the clouds!
ON THIS DATE IN 1883: Krakatoa Volcano exploded in the East Indies. The explosion was heard more than 2500 miles away, and every barograph around the world recorded the passage of the airwave, up to seven times. Giant waves, 125 feet high and traveling 300 mph, devastated everything in their path, hurling ashore coral blocks weighing up to 900 tons, and killing more than 36,000 persons.
Volcanic ash was carried around the globe in thirteen days producing blue and green suns in the tropics, and vivid red sunsets in higher latitudes. The temperature of the earth was lowered one degree for the next two years, finally recovering to normal by 1888.
Look for the next video briefing here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
