James Spann: Showers for north and central Alabama; 90-degree temperatures return this week

RADAR CHECK: We have a few scattered showers and thunderstorms on radar early this morning over the northern half of the state … most of them are west of I-65. Expect a partly sunny sky through the day; the best chance of showers will stay over the north and central counties. The high this afternoon will be in the mid 80s for most communities, very close to average for early September.

We will maintain the chance of scattered showers over the northern half of Alabama through Thursday, South Alabama will stay mostly dry with only a very small risk of a shower for any one given spot. A surge of dry air rolls into the Deep South Friday … with a good supply of sunshine temperatures will rise into the low to mid 90s, but humidity levels will be lower.

THE WEEKEND: Another surface front will pass through the state Saturday. The air will be dry, so we will mention only a few isolated showers along the front; the high will be in the 88-92 degree range. Then Sunday looks rain-free with a high in the mid to upper 80s.

NEXT WEEK: Moisture levels rise, and the chance of showers will increase at least during the first half of the week. Highs will be in the 80s.

TROPICS: A tropical wave located over the far eastern tropical Atlantic south of the Cabo Verde islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by the middle or latter part of this week. This system is expected to move westward to west-northwestward at around 15 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic throughout the week.

NHC gives this feature a 60% chance of development. Most global models continue to show the system gaining latitude with a northward turn before reaching the Gulf or the U.S. … but it is still simply too early to know the final destination or intensity.

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 the first half, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling from the low 80s into the upper 70s.

Alabama will host LA-Monroe Saturday evening (6:45 p.m. kickoff) … a small risk of a shower during the first half, otherwise mostly fair. Temperatures will fall from near 82 degrees at kickoff into the upper 70s by the fourth quarter.

ON THIS DATE IN 1935: The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane was an extremely powerful and devastating Atlantic hurricane that struck the southeastern United States in early September 1935. For several decades, it was the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record in terms of barometric pressure until being surpassed by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. It is one of four Category 5 hurricanes on record to strike the contiguous United States, along with Hurricane Camille (1969), Hurricane Andrew (1992), and Hurricane Michael (2018).

The hurricane passed near Long Key on Labor Day evening, September 2. The hurricane caused catastrophic damage in the upper Florida Keys, as a storm surge of approximately 18 to 20 feet (5.5 to 6.1 m) swept over the low-lying islands. The hurricane’s strong winds and the surge destroyed nearly all the structures between Tavernier and Marathon. The town of Islamorada was obliterated.

The hurricane claimed at least 485 lives, including about 260 World War I veterans working on a section of the Overseas Highway in a federal relief project. Bodies were recovered as far away as Flamingo and Cape Sable on the southwest tip of the Florida mainland.

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