James Spann: Alabama stays dry through Saturday; cooler nights begin tonight

DRIER AIR ROLLING INTO THE STATE: Drier air continues to move into Alabama today following a “backdoor” cold front that moved into the state from the northeast. We note a few small showers over Mobile and Baldwin counties ahead of the front, the rest of the state is dry with a sunny sky. Tonight will be clear and cool; most communities will dip into the 50s early tomorrow morning for a nice “fall feel.”

Alabama will be rain-free tomorrow and Saturday with mostly sunny, warm afternoons and clear. pleasant nights. Moisture levels will rise Sunday over the southern half of the state, where a few showers are possible; North Alabama will stay dry. Highs remain in the 80s through the weekend.

NEXT WEEK: We will mention a chance of showers statewide Monday through Wednesday. The rain won’t be especially widespread or heavy, but some spots could see around 1/2 inch. Possibly close to 1 inch near the coast where moisture will be deeper. Then, the weather looks generally dry for Thursday, Friday and the following weekend (October 11-12) … See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: Imelda has become post-tropical; there are no tropical storms or hurricanes now across the entire Atlantic basin.

NHC is watching two areas of interest. A tropical wave is expected to move off the coast of Africa over the next day or two. Thereafter, this wave is forecast to interact with another disturbance in the eastern tropical Atlantic, and some slow development of the combined feature is possible as the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph. NHC gives this a 20% chance of development.

Closer to home, an area of low pressure may form along a remnant frontal boundary near the northwestern Bahamas and southern Florida during the next day or two. Any additional development is expected to be slow to occur as the system moves northwestward across the Florida Peninsula and into the Gulf. The chance of development is only 10%. No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for at least the next 7-10 days.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: UAB hosts Army Saturday at Protective Stadium (11 a.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly sunny with temperatures rising into the mid 80s.

Alabama hosts Vanderbilt Saturday in Tuscaloosa (2:30 p.m. kickoff). The sky will be mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 80s at kickoff, falling to near 80 by the final whistle.

Troy will host South Alabama Saturday evening (6 p.m. kickoff) … expect a mostly clear sky with temperatures falling from the low 80s at kickoff into the 70s during the second half of the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1898: A Category four hurricane made landfall in Georgia. This is the most recent major (category 3 or stronger) hurricane to make landfall in Georgia.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.