HOT SUMMER DAY: The sky is partly too mostly sunny across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures generally in the low to mid 90s. To the north, we are watching an organized batch of severe thunderstorms (an MCS, Mesoscale Convective System) over Tennessee. These will move into North Alabama this evening, and SPC has defined a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe storms for the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama, with a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) as far south as Tuscaloosa, Pelham, and Wedowee. Continue reading →

HOT SUMMER DAYS: We expect a high in the 92-97 degree range across Alabama today with sunshine filtered by smoke from Canadian wildfires in the higher levels of the atmosphere, and the usual summer particulates near the surface. High resolution model data suggests an MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) could creep into North Alabama early tonight. Continue reading →

HAZY SUMMER DAY: Temperatures are in the 88-93 degree range across Alabama at mid-afternoon… the average high for Birmingham on July 17 is 91. There are a few isolated showers across far South Alabama, but most of the state is dry. The sky is a bit “murky” to the usual summer particulates, and also smoke from Canadian wildfires in the higher levels of the atmosphere. The smoke will disperse by Wednesday as it moves southward. Continue reading →

DOG DAYS: The “dog days” of summer are here. Most people who talk about the dog days of Summer are talking about the entire summer season, but there is actually a set range, which runs from 20 days before to 20 days after the alignment of the Dog Star, Sirius, with the sun. Therefore, the dog days of summer run from July 3 to August 11 in each year. Continue reading →

RADAR CHECK: Scattered showers and storms continue to develop across Alabama on the summer afternoon… they are most numerous over the western and southern counties. Away from the showers temperatures are in the 88-92 degree range, not too far from average values for mid-July. Showers will fade this evening, and tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 70s. Continue reading →

RADAR CHECK: Showers and storms are confined to the southwest counties of Alabama this afternoon… otherwise the sky is partly to mostly sunny with temperatures near 90 degrees at mid-afternoon. Storms over South Alabama will fade this evening, and tonight will feature a mostly fair sky with a low in the low 70s for most places. Continue reading →

RADAR CHECK: A batch of thunderstorms is moving southward through East Alabama this afternoon, with potential for hail and strong winds… a number of severe thunderstorm warnings have been needed. The rest of the state is hot and dry with temperatures generally in the mid to upper 90s. Heat index values are in the 100-110 degree range. Continue reading →

HOT: Temperatures will remain about 7-10 degrees above average across Alabama today… most places will experience a high in the 96-100 degree range this afternoon with hazy sun. Because of the high humidity, the heat index will top out between 104 and 110 this afternoon, and much of the state is under either an “excessive heat warning” or a “heat advisory”. Continue reading →

RADAR CHECK: An MCS (Mesoscale Convective System) is moving into extreme North Alabama as I write this discussion at 3p CT, and a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the Tennessee Valley until 7p CT. The main threat will come from strong winds, and there is a chance the upper ridge will win the battle and the storms will fizzle out quickly as they move southward below the Tennessee River. Continue reading →

BLOW TORCH HEAT: Summer heat will be the big weather story for Alabama and the Deep South through the weekend… easily the hottest weather so far this year. Expect a high in the 95-100 degree range today and tomorrow, followed by mid 90s over the weekend. Factor in the high humidity, and the heat index will peak at 105-110 over the western 2/3 of the state through tomorrow, where an “excessive heat warning” is in effect. Continue reading →