James Spann: Parts of Alabama can see widely spread showers today; hotter afternoon Friday

RADAR CHECK: We note a few scattered showers and thunderstorms moving through Central Alabama early this morning just before sunrise, otherwise the sky is mostly fair with temperatures in the 60s. Expect a high not far from 90 degrees today with a party sunny sky … a few spots could see a brief shower or storm this afternoon or early tonight ahead of a front, but much of the state will be dry.

TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND: A drier airmass drops into Alabama tomorrow; showers should be very hard to find. Temperatures rise into the mid 90s tomorrow afternoon, but humidity levels will be lower.

Another front approaches Saturday … this could bring a few showers, but moisture will be limited meaning nothing widespread or heavy. Global models now show another surge of dry air moving into the state Sunday; the day looks generally dry. The high Saturday will be close to 90, followed by low to mid 80s Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: Models have trended toward a drier solution. It now looks like much of next week will be dry with mostly sunny days and fair nights … highs will be in the 80s, lows in the 60s.

TROPICS: Showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands have become a little more concentrated during the past several hours. Environmental conditions are conducive for development of this system during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or this weekend over the eastern or central tropical Atlantic while moving slowly toward the west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph.

The system is likely to move faster toward the west or west-northwest thereafter and reach the waters east of the Lesser Antilles by the middle of next week. NHC gives the system an 80% chance of development, and most global model ensemble members continue to show a turn to the north over the open Atlantic before reaching the U.S.

No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf for at least the next 7-10 days.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn hosts Ball State Saturday evening (6:30 p.m. kickoff) … a brief shower can’t be ruled out during game, otherwise mostly cloudy with temperatures falling from the upper 80s into the upper 70s.

Alabama will host LA-Monroe Saturday evening (6:45 p.m. kickoff) … a shower is possible, otherwise mostly cloudy. Temperatures will fall from near 82 degrees at kickoff into the upper 70s by the fourth quarter.

UAB will play Navy at Annapolis, Maryland Saturday (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … a passing shower or thunderstorm is possible, if not likely during the game. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s.

ON THIS DATE IN 2007: Hurricane Felix came ashore in the pre-dawn hours as a Category 5 storm on the northeastern coast of Nicaragua. At the time of its landfall, the maximum sustained surface winds were approximately 160 mph. Felix killed at least 130 people along the coast

ON THIS DATE IN 2011: The center of Tropical Storm Lee moved ashore around sunrise. However, it would be a while before Lee would weaken to a depression as it remained nearly stationary while the southern half of the circulation was over water where it could continue to derive additional energy from the warm ocean. Lee brought torrential rains to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

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