James Spann: Scattered showers through tomorrow for Alabama, followed by cool, dry weather

RADAR CHECK: Scattered showers are most numerous this afternoon over the western half of the state … a few neighborhoods have seen a good downpour, but much of Alabama remains dry. Temperatures are mostly in the 80–85-degree range. A few showers will remain possible tonight in scattered spots ahead of an approaching cold front.

A few spotty showers are possible tomorrow, mainly over the southern half of the state … then cooler and drier air settles into the state Thursday and Friday. Highs drop into the 70s, lows will be in the 50s over the northern half of the state by early Friday morning.

THE WEEKEND: Expect some delightful autumn weather with sunny pleasant days and clear cool nights. Lows will be mostly in the 50s, but a few cool spots over North Alabama could reach the upper 40s. Highs will be in the 77–82-degree range.

For now it looks like most of next week will rain-free with warmer afternoons; highs will be in the 80s. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: Tropical Storm Jerry has formed in the Atlantic, about 1,300 miles east/southeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Winds are 45 mph, and the system is moving to the west at 24 mph. Jerry is forecast to become a hurricane tomorrow night, turning north into the open Atlantic well before getting close to the U.S.

And, a trough of low pressure located over the Yucatan Peninsula is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. This system is expected to emerge over the Bay of Campeche later today, and some slow development is possible before it moves inland over southern Mexico late tomorrow or early Thursday. 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: Saturday Alabama will on the road to take on Missouri (11 a.m. kickoff) … the sky will be sunny with temperatures rising from the upper 70s at kickoff into the low 80s by the second half.

North Alabama will host Central Arkansas (3 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be sunny with temperatures falling from the upper 70s at kickoff to near 70 by the final whistle.

Auburn will host Georgia Saturday evening at Jordan-hare Stadium (6:30 p.m. kickoff) … it will be a very pleasant night with temperatures falling through the 70s, reaching the upper 60s by the fourth quarter. The sky will be clear.

ON THIS DATE IN 2016: Hurricane Matthew was off the northeast coast of Florida. Matthew brought intense rainfall to the Carolinas on the 8th and 9th.

ON THIS DATE IN 2018: Only 8 hours after becoming a depression, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Michael. Tropical storm force winds and torrential downpours were affecting portions of the coastal east-central Yucatan Peninsula. It would go on to become a category five hurricane with landfall on the Florida Panhandle at Mexico Beach on October 10.

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