**I will produce a Weather Xtreme video later today when I get into the office at ABC 33/40**
HOT AS A FIRECRACKER: Pretty routine summer weather headlines our forecast today as we celebrate Independence Day. The GFS is printing a high of 96 degrees today for Birmingham… the NAM is at 97… and those numbers sound correct. The sky will be partly sunny and hazy, and we expect scattered showers and storms to form again during the afternoon and evening hours. The chance of any one spot getting wet is about one in three, and most of the showers and storms will come from about 2:00 until 9:00 p.m. Most of the storms will end by the time the fireworks shows begin across Alabama tonight.
REST OF THE WEEK AND THE WEEKEND: No real change. Highs in the 90s, lows in the 70s, and the risk of a passing shower or storm each afternoon as the summer pattern continues.
NEXT WEEK: Models continue the idea of the heat ridge moving west early next week, with an upper trough over the eastern U.S. See the ECMWF output below valid early Tuesday morning (July 10)…
This is the pattern reversal I wrote about last week when we were baking. That sends the most serious heat to the western U.S…. and gives us lower heat levels and a better coverage of showers and storms.
GULF COAST WEATHER: About 7 to 9 hours of sunshine can be expected along the coast from Panama City west to Gulf Shores through the weekend with the daily risk of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs along the immediate coast will be in the upper 80s, and the sea water temperature is generally running in the mid 80s. No sign of any tropical mischief across the Atlantic basin anytime soon.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
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Again, I will post a video by 3:30 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the holiday!
