James Spann: Better rain chances ahead for Alabama; lower heat levels by end of week

RADAR CHECK: Again today we have random, scattered showers and thunderstorms across Alabama. They are most numerous over the northern third of the state (north of I-20), and a few neighborhoods are getting a good downpour. But most of the state is dry, and away from the showers temperatures are close to 90 degrees.

Alabama’s weather won’t change tomorrow … we will have random, scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms much like today. The chance of any one spot seeing rain is 20/30%, and the high will be in the low 90s. However, an approaching upper trough and cold front will bring an increase in the number of showers and storms to the Deep South by Wednesday and Thursday.

SPC has defined a “marginal risk” (Level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for much of North and West Alabama Wednesday.

Heavier storms Wednesday could produce gusty winds and hail as they pass through. A few strong storms are possible Thursday, then the weather trends drier Friday with just a few lingering showers. Rain amounts over the northern half of the state will be in the 1-2 inch range through Thursday; South Alabama communities can expect around 1/2 to 1 inch.

Highs drop into the 80-85 degree range Thursday and Friday, close to average for late September.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: At this point the weather looks generally dry with partly sunny days and fair nights; most of North Alabama will see lows in the 50s both mornings. We do note models hint an an upper low near Alabama, but the deeper moisture will be east of the state.

The weather looks generally dry next week with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s … See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: This afternoon Hurricane Gabrielle, with sustained winds of 120 mph, is about 180 miles southeast of Bermuda. It is moving to the north at 10 mph, and will pass east of Bermuda late this afternoon and tonight. From there it heads out into the open Atlantic and is no threat to land.

There are two tropical waves that trail Gabrielle in the Atlantic with a good chance of development, but they should remain east of the U.S. We see no threat of tropical storms or hurricanes across the Gulf for the next 7-10 days. But, keep in mind the hurricane season runs through the end of November.

FIRST DAY OF FALL: The autumnal equinox was today at 1:19 p.m. … the moment when the sun crossed the equator, moving from the Northern Hemisphere into the Southern Hemisphere. Today day and night are nearly equal in length everywhere on Earth (the word equinox comes from Latin for “equal night”).

ON THIS DATE IN 2006: The tristate area of Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky was struck by the worst tornado outbreak in the recorded history during the month of September. One supercell produced a long-track F4 tornado across southeastern Missouri into southwestern Illinois. This tornado traveled 27.5 miles.

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