James Spann: Alabama will see a few scattered storms Friday; mostly dry weekend follows

RADAR CHECK: Showers and thunderstorms continue mainly over South Alabama this afternoon with temperatures mostly in the 80s. We also note band of showers over Northeast Mississippi … these will move into Northwest Alabama over the next few hours. Scattered showers and storms will fade late tonight; lows tomorrow morning will be in the 60s.

The weather trends drier tomorrow, although a few scattered showers are possible over the eastern half of the state during the afternoon and evening hours. And, at this point most of Alabama is looking dry over the weekend with partly to mostly sunny days and fair nights. We just have the potential for a brief, isolated shower Saturday afternoon over the eastern side of the state. Highs will be in the 80s, lows mostly in the 60s. However, some of the cooler spots over North Alabama could reach the upper 50s both mornings.

NEXT WEEK: At this point most of next week is looking dry with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. There is some evidence Atlantic moisture could increase by Thursday and Friday with some risk of showers then … see the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

TROPICS: We have two named systems and an area of interest this afternoon…

*GABRIELLE: Hurricane Gabrielle, with winds of 75 mph, is about 350 miles west of the Azores. It is moving quickly to the east at 31 mph and will become post tropical tomorrow.

*HUMBERTO: Tropical Storm Humberto, with winds of 50 mph, is about 465 miles east/northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It is moving to the northwest at 8 mph. The NHC forecast brings the system to Hurricane strength over the weekend; it will pass between Bermuda and the U.S. east coast Tuesday and Wednesday of next week before it heads out into the open North Atlantic. No threat to land.

*INVEST 94L: Showers and thunderstorms are increasing in association with a tropical wave located near Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands. An area of low pressure is expected to form along the wave tonight or early Friday when it moves near the southeast Bahamas. This low is expected to become a tropical depression when it is in the vicinity of the central and northwest Bahamas late tomorrow or over the weekend and then track northwestward or northward over the southwestern Atlantic.

Interests in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Bahamas should monitor the progress of this system. Regardless of development, heavy rains and gusty winds are likely across that region during the next couple of days. While there is significant uncertainty in the long-range track and intensity of the system, the chances of wind, rainfall and storm surge impacts for a portion of the southeast U.S. coast are increasing. Interests in that area should monitor the progress of the system.

NHC gives it a 90% chance of development; the name will be “Imelda.” Models have shifted to the left and there is potential for the system to make landfall somewhere on the coast of the Carolinas early next week. Once the system develops and data from hurricane hunter aircraft is gathered, forecast confidence will be higher.

No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for at least the next 7-10 days.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn travels to College Station to take on Texas A&M Saturday (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be sunny with temperatures near 90 degrees during the first half, dropping back into the mid to upper 80s by the final whistle.

Alabama will play Georgia in Athens Saturday night (6:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly cloudy, and a passing shower can’t be ruled out, mainly during the first half. Temperatures will fall through the 70s during the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1998: Four hurricanes were spinning simultaneously in the Atlantic basin: Georges, Ivan, Jeanne and Karl. That was the first time this had happened since 1893.

ON THIS DATE IN 2004: Hurricane Jeanne made landfall on Hutchinson Island, just east of Sewall’s Point, Florida at Category 3 strength … just two miles from where Hurricane Frances had struck a mere three weeks earlier. Millions in Florida were left without electricity, some for the third time in a month. There were five direct deaths in the mainland United States, three in Florida, one in South Carolina and one in Virginia.

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