James Spann: Alabama to enjoy fine fall weather through Saturday; rain returns Sunday

SEVERE CLEAR: Not a cloud in the Alabama sky this afternoon with temperatures mostly in the 70s. Tonight will be the coolest night so far this season for many places, lows will be generally in the 37–45-degree range with a clear sky.

Dry weather continues tomorrow through Saturday with pleasant days and cool nights.

RAIN RETURNS: Clouds will increase Saturday night, and rain will move into the state Sunday. No risk of severe storms, and probably not much thunder. Rain amounts will likely be around 1/2 inch for much of the state, with potential for heavier amounts over the southwest counties.

At this point global models are suggesting a quiet week next week with just a few spotty showers Monday through Wednesday … the weather looks cool and dry for Halloween. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

TROPICS: This afternoon Tropical Storm Melissa, with 50 mph winds, is about 320 miles south/southwest of Port Au Prince, Haiti. It is moving to the west at only 2 mph (basically stationary). Melissa is expected to meander around the Caribbean for the next five days just south of Jamaica … NHC is forecasting it to become a hurricane by Friday, and a major, category three hurricane by early next week.

Melissa is expected to produce heavy rainfall across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica through this weekend, bringing a risk of significant flash flooding and landslides. By the middle of next week the system should kick out to the northeast in response to a deep upper trough digging over the eastern part of North America. This will keep Melissa well to the east of the U.S.

No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for the rest of October.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: The annual Magic City Classic is Saturday at Birmingham’s Legion Field; Alabama State vs Alabama A&M (2:30 p.m. kickoff). The sky will be partly sunny with temperatures in the mid to upper 70s at kickoff, falling into the low 70s by the final whistle.

Auburn will be at Arkansas Saturday (11:45 a.m. kickoff) … the sky will be cloudy with periods of rain likely during the game; temperatures will hover around 60 degrees.

Alabama travels to Columbia to take on South Carolina Saturday (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the weather will be dry with a sunny sky. Expect low 70s at kickoff, upper 60s by the final whistle.

ON THIS DATE IN 1997: Game 4 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and the Florida Marlins was the coldest game in World Series history. The official game-time temperature was 38 degrees at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Wind chills as low as 18 degrees was reported during the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1998: Tropical Depression Thirteen formed over the southwestern the Caribbean Sea. By the 24th, this tropical depression became Hurricane Mitch. This hurricane would rapidly intensify over the next two days, reaching Category 5 strength on the 26th. Hurricane Mitch would end up being the second deadliest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic Ocean.

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