James Spann: Alabama’s dry pattern persists; cooler temperatures on deck

RADAR CHECK: We have a few small, isolated showers over the western half of Alabama this afternoon, but most of the state is dry with a partly to mostly sunny sky. Temperatures are in the 80s … tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 60s.

Most of the state will stay dry through the weekend with any showers remaining very isolated. We will bring in a chance of showers for the southern quarter of the state on Sunday; best chance of meaningful rain will be near the coast (but it won’t be a washout). Highs will stay in the 80s, but nights will be cooler with most North Alabama communities dropping into the 50s Friday and Saturday morning.

Moisture creeps northward early next week, and we will have some risk of showers statewide Monday through Wednesday, but nothing widespread or heavy. Highs hold in the 80s next week … See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: This afternoon Hurricane Imelda, with winds of 100 mph, is about 270 miles west/southwest of Bermuda. It is moving to the east/northeast at 20 mph, and it will cross over Bermuda tonight with hurricane force winds, damaging waves, and flash flooding. Then, it becomes post-tropical tomorrow.

Hurricane Humberto has become post-tropical in the North Atlantic … and the rest of the Atlantic basin is quiet. 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) … just a small risk of a shower, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling from the low 80s at kickoff into the 70s during the second half of the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1938: Grannis and Okay, Arkansas set an all-time high-temperature record for October for Arkansas with 105 degrees.

ON THIS DATE IN 1977: While an F3 tornado traveled less than one mile through Montfort Heights or the greater Cincinnati area, it destroyed 12 homes and damaged 15 others. There were 17 injuries.

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