James Spann: Alabama will enjoy below average temperatures, drier air at least through mid-week

DRY AUGUST DAY: An unusually dry airmass covers the Deep South this afternoon, and the entire state is shower-free with a good supply of sunshine. Temperatures range from the low 80s over the northern third of Alabama to the low 90s over the far southern counties. Tonight will be mostly fair and pleasant with a low in the low- to mid-60s for most communities. Some clouds will move in from the northwest after midnight.

The weather will be generally dry through Wednesday, although we will mention the chance of a few sprinkles tomorrow with the next front over North Alabama. Highs will be in the 78–84-degree range, and by early Wednesday most North Alabama communities will see a low in the mid to upper 50s for a nice preview of fall. Some new daily record lows are possible.

Global models are hinting at some moisture return Thursday and Friday ahead of another surface front, along with some risk of showers. Rain amounts will likely be light and spotty, and mostly over the western half of the state.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A surface front will likely become stationary over the region, meaning some risk of showers and a few thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday. Not a wash-out at all, but some rain is very possible from time to time. Highs will be mostly in the low- to mid-80s.

Some risk of showers will likely continue into the first half of next week with temperatures remaining below average … See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: Tropical Storm Fernand, in the Atlantic about 425 miles east/northeast of Bermuda, has sustained winds of 60 mph. The system is moving north/northeast at 13 mph, and will become post-tropical in the North Atlantic late tomorrow night. It will stay far from land.

The rest of the Atlantic basin is unusually quiet for late August, and additional tropical storm formation is not expected this week. No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for at least the next 10 days.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: College football is back! It begins Thursday night when UAB hosts Alabama State at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham (7:30 p.m. kickoff). There is a small risk of a shower during the game … temperatures will fall from near 78 at kickoff into the low 70s by the fourth quarter.

Auburn will take on Baylor in Waco, Texas Friday night (7 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly cloudy and there is an outside risk of a passing shower during the game. Temperatures will fall from near 89 degrees at kickoff into the low 80s by the final whistle.

Saturday Alabama will be in Tallahassee to take on Florida State (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be cloudy at times, and a few passing showers or storms are likely during the game. Temperatures will be in the mid 80s.

ON THIS DATE IN 2005: Katrina made its initial landfall along the southeast Florida coast as a Category 1 hurricane with 80 mph winds. From there it intensified rapidly and attained Category 5 status for a period of time as it moved northwest on August 28th. Katrina weakened to a Category 3 before making landfall along the northern Gulf Coast on August 29.

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