James Spann: Showers remain few and far between through the weekend in Alabama

NEW DAY, OLD FORECAST: Alabama’s weather won’t change much through the weekend. Partly to mostly sunny days, fair pleasant nights and just a handful of small, isolated showers from time to time. The chance of any one spot seeing rain daily is 10-15% and highs will remain in the upper 80s/low 90s for most communities. Morning lows remain in the 60s.

There is some evidence moisture levels will be a little higher next week with some risk of scattered showers daily, but we still see no sign of any widespread, soaking rain for the next 7-10 days. Highs next week will be in the mid to upper 80s.

TROPICS: Tropical Depression Seven has formed in the Atlantic between the Lesser Antilles and Africa. Only modest strengthening is expected over the next day or two as the depression continues to battle moderate shear from a low aloft and intrusions of dry air. The NHC forecast brings the system to hurricane strength late this weekend, but some models suggest the system will remain a tropical storm (the name will be Gabrielle).

This feature will turn north, and then northeast well east of the U.S. It might be close to Bermuda by the middle of next week, otherwise it will remain far from land.

Also, a tropical wave located a couple of hundred miles east-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are only marginally conducive, and any development of this system should be slow to occur while it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central portion of the tropical Atlantic. NHC gives it only a 20% chance of development; most models show the system remaining weak and disorganized.

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

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn travels to Norman to take on Oklahoma Saturday (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be partly sunny, and there is a small risk of a shower during the game. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80s.

Jacksonville State hosts Murray State Saturday evening (6 p.m. kickoff) … just a very small risk of a shower early in the game, otherwise mostly fair with temperatures falling from the mid 80s at kickoff, into the 70s during the second half.

South Alabama hosts Coastal Carolina Saturday evening (6 p.m. kickoff). The sky will be mostly clear with temperatures falling from the upper 80s at kickoff, into the 70s by the fourth quarter.

ON THIS DATE IN 1989: Hurricane Hugo hit the Virgin Islands, producing wind gusts to 97 mph at Saint Croix. Hurricane Hugo passed directly over the island of Saint Croix causing complete devastation and essentially cutting off the island from communications. A storm surge of five to seven feet occurred at Saint Croix. The only rain gauge left operating, at Caneel Bay, indicated 9.40 inches in 24 hours. Hurricane Hugo claimed the lives of three persons at Saint Croix and caused more than $500 million in damage.

ON THIS DATE IN 2004: The remnants of Hurricane Ivan submerged Pittsburgh in 5.95 inches of rain in one day. That is the most rainfall Pittsburgh has seen in a 24-hour period since records began in 1876.

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