James Spann: Scattered showers, storms to gradually increase in Alabama, with lower heat levels
RADAR CHECK: Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to develop and move southward across Alabama on this hot late July day. Away from showers, temperatures are generally in the mid 90s. For some communities, today is the hottest day so far this summer. Scattered showers will fade quickly after sunset.
After today, heat levels will slowly fall over the latter half of the week, and coverage of scattered showers and thunderstorms will slowly rise as an upper ridge weakens over the region. The chance of any one spot seeing rain is 40-50% Wednesday and 55-65% Thursday and Friday. By Friday, the high will be between 88 and 93 degrees.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Heat levels continue to fall; highs will be in the 80s across much of the state with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms both days. Most, but not all, of the showers will come from noon through 10 p.m.
NEXT WEEK: Many north Alabama communities will continue to see highs in the upper 80s Monday and Tuesday (low 90s for south Alabama); then, highs will be between 90 and 93 degrees statewide over the latter half of the week. Each day will have the usual chance of scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms.
TROPICS: All remains quiet across the Atlantic basin; no tropical storms or hurricanes are expected for at least the next seven days.
ON THIS DATE IN 1960: Severe thunderstorms brought damaging winds, possibly as high as 100 mph, to central Oklahoma. Eight planes and several hangars were damaged at Wiley Post Airfield, while two aircraft and additional hangars were damaged at Will Rogers World Airport. The winds caused seven injuries in the area, including two youths who were injured by flying debris.
ON THIS DATE IN 2020: Tropical Storm Isaias formed, marking the earliest “I” storm on record in the Atlantic. On July 31, Isaias became a hurricane.
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