James Spann: Dry tomorrow; some rain for South Alabama Sunday
PLEASANT DAY: No rain anywhere in Alabama this afternoon; temperatures are in the 77–84-degree range for most places. Tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the upper 50s and low 60s.
Not much change tomorrow; a good supply of sunshine with a high in the low to mid 80s. Then, on Sunday, moist air becomes to move northward, and we will bring in a chance of showers for the southern quarter of the state (mainly south of U.S. 84).
NEXT WEEK: We will maintain the chance of showers over South Alabama Monday, any showers over the rest of the state will be isolated. The prospect of a good, widespread rain isn’t good for the Deep South; we expect only spotty showers on a daily basis for the rest of the week with highs holding in the 80s. Global models do suggest cooler air moving in late in the week with highs in the 70s for the northern half of the state Friday. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
TROPICS: A tropical wave has just emerged off the coast of Africa. The wave is forecast to interact with another disturbance over the eastern tropical Atlantic and then move westward after that. Environmental conditions are expected to become conducive for some slow development of the system in a few days, and a tropical depression could form near or east of the Lesser Antilles by the end of next week. The chance of development is now 50%.
Closer to home, a weak area of low pressure located near the central and northwestern Bahamas is producing disorganized shower activity. This system is expected to drift west-northwestward across the northwestern Bahamas and toward southern Florida during the next couple of days. Strong upper-level winds are expected to prevent significant development of the low … the chance of development is only 10%. No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for at least the next 7-10 days.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: UAB hosts Army tomorrow at Protective Stadium (11 a.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly sunny with temperatures rising into the mid 80s.
Alabama hosts Vanderbilt tomorrow 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 tomorrow evening (6 p.m. kickoff) … expect a mostly clear sky with temperatures falling from the low 80s at kickoff into the 70s during the second half of the game.
ON THIS DATE IN 1903: An unusual late-season tornado moved northeast from west of Chatfield, Minnesota, passing through and devastating St. Charles, Minnesota. Seven people were killed and 30 injured as 50 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.
ON THIS DATE IN 1979: An F4 tornado struck the towns of Windsor, Windsor Locks and Suffield in Connecticut, causing an estimated $400 million in property damage, on this day. The New England Air Museum, which housed more than 20 vintage aircraft, was destroyed. This tornado also caused a United Airlines flight to abort a landing at the Bradley International Airport because the pilot saw the tornado.
ON THIS DATE IN 2002: Hurricane Lili made landfall between White Lake and Vermilion Bay, Louisiana as a Category 1 storm.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.