James Spann: Cold front is bringing cooler and drier air into Alabama heading into the weekend
RADAR CHECK: Scattered showers are over the southern half of Alabama this afternoon ahead of a cold front. Temperatures are in the 70s behind the front across the Tennessee Valley, but a few spots over South Alabama are close to 90 degrees south of the front. Showers will fade tonight as the front continues drifting southward.
A few isolated showers are possible tomorrow over the eastern and southern counties of Alabama, but most of the state will be dry; highs will be in the 76–82-degree range for most communities.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Expect mostly sunny pleasant days and clear cool nights. Highs in the upper 70s and low 80s, lows generally in the 50s. Cooler spots across North Alabama could visit the upper 40s both Saturday and Sunday morning.
NEXT WEEK: The week looks warm and dry; highs in the 80s, lows in the 50s and low 60s. Remember, October is the driest month of the year in Alabama, so having long dry spells is common this time of the year. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.
TROPICS: This afternoon Tropical Storm Jerry, with winds of 60 mph, is about 680 miles east/southeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It is moving to the west/northwest at 23 mph, and is expected to become a hurricane Friday. It will turn north into the open Atlantic well, well to the east of the U.S.
And, disorganized showers and thunderstorms continue with a trough of low pressure moving westward across the Bay of Campeche. The system is expected to move inland over Mexico tonight, and therefore its opportunity for any development will be ending soon.
No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for at least the next 7-10 days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Saturday Alabama will on the road to take on Missouri (11 a.m. kickoff) … the sky will be sunny with temperatures rising from the upper 70s at kickoff into the low 80s by the second half.
North Alabama will host Central Arkansas (3 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be sunny with temperatures falling from the upper 70s at kickoff to near 70 by the final whistle.
Auburn will host Georgia Saturday evening at Jordan-Hare Stadium (6:30 p.m. kickoff) … it will be a very pleasant night with temperatures falling through the 70s, reaching the upper 60s by the fourth quarter. The sky will be clear.
ON THIS DATE IN 1946: A minimal Category 1 hurricane made landfall over Bradenton, Florida, before tracking north-northeast across Tampa Bay. The storm was the last hurricane to make direct landfall in the Tampa Bay area.
ON THIS DATE IN 2016: Matthew made its fourth and final landfall over the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge near McClellanville, South Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane. Widespread effects were felt from Matthew across its destructive path. However, the most significant impacts were felt in Haiti, with $2.8 billion in damage and 674 deaths, making Matthew the worst disaster to affect the nation since the 2010 earthquake.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.