DRY SPELL IS OVER: We have measurable rain at Birmingham this morning for the first time since May 16. Radar shows a large mass of rain over most of Alabama, and we will be wet through tomorrow with rain at times along with a few thunderstorms. A few strong storms are possible over parts of Southwest Alabama today; SPC has a “slight risk” (level 2/5) defined for parts of Sumter, Choctaw, and Washington counties… with a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) in the broad zone from Tuscaloosa to Mobile. Continue reading →

RADAR CHECK: The heaviest rain in Alabama this afternoon is over the northwest part of the state, where some thunderstorms are involved. Showers are more scattered across Central and South Alabama; we had a waterspout near Dauphin Island earlier today. Temperatures are mostly in the 80s, and tonight will be cloudy with a chance of some rain at times. Continue reading →

BENEFICIAL RAIN AHEAD: Based on data at the Birmingham Airport, the last measurable rain was on May 12. We now have a rain deficiency of 0.35″ for the year, and much of the soil moisture has been depleted. So, news of a pattern change isn’t necessarily bad news. Deep tropical moisture will move up into our state today, and that, combined with an approaching upper trough, will bring several days of wet weather. Continue reading →

THIS AFTERNOON: Most of Alabama is dry this afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds along with temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s. A few isolated showers have formed over the Tennessee Valley, and to the wes over Mississippi. Continue reading →

HEAVIER STORMS SHIFTING INTO SOUTH ALABAMA: The line of storms over Northwest Alabama this morning just didn’t want to go away. In fact, the storms intensified as they moved eastward, producing scattered tree and power line damage in a number of counties. As of 3:00, the heavier storms have shifted down into the southern half of Alabama. Continue reading →

SOGGY START: A large mass of rain, with a few embedded thunderstorms, is over Alabama this morning. Look for wet weather through the morning hours… then showers and storms diminish this afternoon. The sky will be cloudy today with a high in the 60s, and there is no risk of severe storms. Rain amounts today will be 1/2 to 3/4″ for most communities. Continue reading →

WATERLOGGED: A flood watch remains in effect for the northern half of Alabama today as we are forecasting occasional showers and thunderstorms once again. The heaviest rain is expected to fall over the Tennessee Valley, where some spots could see over 2 inches of rain through midnight. Continue reading →

RADAR CHECK: The most widespread rain at mid-afternoon is over Northwest Alabama; a number of aerial flood warnings and advisories have been issued there. Showers are more scattered in nature over the rest of the state. There is a huge thermal contrast… at mid-afternoon Montgomery soared to 81 degrees south of a warm front, but to the north Haleyville was 36 degrees colder at 45. Continue reading →

SOAKED: Just before daybreak a zone of rain and thunderstorms was lined up across North/Central Alabama near a surface front that has been oscillating across the region over the past few days. South of the front, temperatures are in the low 70s at Mobile and Dothan, while we have 40s north of the front at places like Huntsville and Decatur. The overall pattern won’t change much today; a flood watch remains in effect for the northern half of the state, and we will have occasional rain and a few thunderstorms. For places like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, and Gadsden temperatures will peak in the 57-62 degree range. No risk of severe storms today. Continue reading →