James Spann: Mostly dry holiday weekend ahead; showers for far South Alabama

RADAR CHECK: Large areas of mostly light rain continue to move across the southern half of Alabama this afternoon, where temperatures are mostly in the low to mid 70s. However, dry air is in places over North Alabama where the sun is out in full force along with temperatures in the mid 80s. Rain will slowly fade across South Alabama tonight … the sky will stay clear over the northern counties.

Much of the state will be dry over the weekend with a partly sunny sky, but we will mention the risk of a few showers or thunderstorms over far South Alabama tomorrow and Sunday, in the zone from Mobile to Dothan. Highs will be in the 80s.

NEXT WEEK: Moisture levels rise statewide, and we will bring in a chance of showers statewide during the first half of the week. The most widespread rain will most likely come on Tuesday night into Wednesday, ahead of an approaching cold front. Then, dry air returns to the state Thursday and Friday with lower humidity levels and cooler nights … See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains very quiet. The only area of interest will be a tropical wave that is forecast to emerge off the west coast of Africa on Sunday. Thereafter, environmental conditions could support some slow development of this system while it moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic next week. Chance of development is 30%.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Some light rain is possible tonight for high school games across South Alabama, but the weather will be dry over the northern half of the state. Temperatures will fall through the 70s.

Auburn will take on Baylor in Waco, Texas tonight (7 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly cloudy and there is the chance of a passing shower or thunderstorm during the game. Temperatures will fall from near 89 degrees at kickoff into the low 80s by the final whistle.

Saturday Alabama will be in Tallahassee to take on Florida State (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be cloudy at times, and a few passing showers or storms are likely during the game. Temperatures will be in the mid 80s.

ON THIS DATE IN 2005: Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a category three storm over Southeast Louisiana and Mississippi. The majority of the loss of lives in Hurricane Katrina was due to flooding caused by fatal engineering flaws in the flood protection system, specifically the levee, around the city of New Orleans.

Eventually, 80% of the city, as well as large areas in neighboring parishes, were flooded for weeks. The flooding also destroyed most of New Orleans’s transportation and communication facilities, leaving tens of thousands of people who did not evacuate the city prior to landfall with little access to food, shelter and other basic necessities.

The coast of Mississippi suffered severe damage from wind and storm surge, but received little national attention due to the situation in New Orleans. The death toll was 1,836 as a direct result of Katrina.

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