James Spann: Hot, muggy days for Alabama; storms increase by Thursday

RADAR CHECK: Most of Alabama is hot and dry this afternoon, with temperatures generally in the low to mid 90s, very close to seasonal averages. This is mid-July, after all. Most of the scattered storms are across the southeast part of the state in a broad band from near Phenix City and Eufaula to Dothan and Geneva. Those showers will fade after sunset.

Alabama’s weather won’t change much Wednesday. It will be partly to mostly sunny, hot and humid with just a few isolated afternoon showers and storms; highs will be in the mid 90s for most places.

We expect a general increase in the number of scattered showers and thunderstorms Thursday through the weekend, with some of the highest coverage over the southern third of the state as a potential tropical depression moves through the northern Gulf. But even there, it won’t rain all day, and the sun will be out at times. Most (but not all) of the showers and storms will come between 1 and 10 p.m. Heat levels will be a tad lower, with highs between 89 and 93 degrees.

Next week’s weather looks very routine for summer — partly sunny days with the risk of a passing afternoon shower or thunderstorm in scattered spots. Highs rise back into the mid 90s.

TROPICS: Satellite and radar data indicates that the low-pressure area previously over the Atlantic is moving onto the coast of northeastern Florida. This system is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity, and little development is expected through tonight while the center is over land.

Once the system reaches the northeastern Gulf Wednesday, environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development, and a tropical depression could form while the system moves across the northeastern and north-central Gulf and approaches the coast of Louisiana on Thursday. The National Hurricane Center gives it a 40% chance of development.

This will be mainly a rainmaker. It is very unlikely that it becomes a strong tropical storm or hurricane. For the central Gulf coast (Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach), elevated coverage of showers and thunderstorms is likely late Wednesday into Thursday, but even on those days the rain won’t be continuous, and the sun will be out at times. Showers should thin out by Friday and the weekend as the broad low continues to move inland and away from the region.

The biggest concern is a high danger of rip currents on the coast Thursday and Friday.

ON THIS DATE IN 1901: The city of Marquette, Michigan, set its all-time record high temperature at 108 degrees.

ON THIS DATE IN 2003: Hurricane Claudette made landfall along the middle Texas coast near Port O’Connor at Category 1 strength. Claudette was the first hurricane to strike the Port O’Connor and Matagorda Bay area since Hurricane Fern on Sept. 10, 1971. Historical records dating back to 1851 indicate Claudette is the first July hurricane to make landfall in this area.

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