James Spann: Showers/storms possible in Alabama today followed by drier, cooler weekend

RADAR CHECK: Showers continue this morning across scattered parts of Alabama ahead of a cold front. Showers and storms will become more numerous later today; the sky will be mostly cloudy with a high in the low to mid 80s. We note SPC has removed the “marginal risk” of severe thunderstorms for the southern 2/3 of the state.

The weather trends drier tomorrow, although a few scattered showers are possible over the eastern half of the state during the afternoon and evening hours. And, at this point most of Alabama is looking dry over the weekend with partly to mostly sunny days and fair nights. We just have the potential for a brief, isolated shower Saturday afternoon over the eastern side of the state. Highs will be in the 80s, lows mostly in the 60s. However, some of the cooler spots over North Alabama could reach the upper 50s both mornings.

NEXT WEEK: At this point most of next week is looking dry with highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s.

TROPICS: We have two named systems and an area of interest this morning…

*GABRIELLE: Hurricane Gabrielle, with winds of 85 mph, is about 650 miles west of the Azores. It is moving quickly to the east at 32 mph and will become post tropical tomorrow.

*HUMBERTO: Tropical Storm Humberto, with winds of 45 mph, is about 480 miles east/northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It is moving to the northwest at 10 mph. The NHC forecast brings the system to Hurricane strength by Sunday; it will pass between Bermuda and the U.S. east coast Tuesday and Wednesday of next week before it heads out into the open North Atlantic. No threat to land.

*INVEST 94L: A tropical wave centered near the Dominican Republic continues to produces widespread disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The wave is expected to move west-northwestward around 10 to 15 mph, spreading heavy rainfall and gusty winds across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic through today. The system is then expected to slow down and turn northwestward when it reaches the southwestern Atlantic. A tropical depression is likely to form when the disturbance is in the vicinity of the Bahamas late this week.

NHC gives it an 80% chance of development; the name will be “Imelda”. Models have shifted to the left, and there is potential for the system to make landfall somewhere on the coast of the Carolinas early next week. But, a number of model ensemble members show a hard turn to the east away from the U.S. before reaching the coast. Once the system develops and data from hurricane hunter aircraft is gathered, forecast confidence will be higher.

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

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn travels to College Station to take on Texas A&M Saturday (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be sunny with temperatures near 90 degrees during the first half, dropping back into the mid to upper 80s by the final whistle.

Alabama will play Georgia in Athens Saturday night (6:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly cloudy, and a passing shower can’t be ruled out, mainly during the first half. Temperatures will fall through the 70s during the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1998: Four hurricanes were spinning simultaneously in the Atlantic basin: Georges, Ivan, Jeanne and Karl. That was the first time this had happened since 1893.

ON THIS DATE IN 2004: Hurricane Jeanne made landfall on Hutchinson Island, just east of Sewall’s Point, Florida at Category 3 strength … just two miles from where Hurricane Frances had struck a mere three weeks earlier. Millions in Florida were left without electricity, some for the third time in a month. There were five direct deaths in the mainland United States, three in Florida, one in South Carolina and one in Virginia.

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