James Spann: Summer mix of sun and storms will continue in Alabama today

SUN AND STORMS: We have a few isolated showers on radar early this morning, but most of the showers and thunderstorms across Alabama will come from about 1 until 10 p.m. The air is a bit more unstable today; odds of any specific spot getting wet are 55-65%, and like any summer afternoon the heavier storms will produce strong wind gusts, heavy rain and lots of lightning. Otherwise, expect a mix of sun and clouds with a high between 87 and 91 degrees for most places. The average high for Birmingham on July 10 is 91.

The weather won’t change much Friday, but we expect a trend toward fewer afternoon storms over the weekend as warmer air aloft makes the air more stable across the Deep South. Afternoon highs Saturday and Sunday will be in the low 90s with a partly sunny sky.

NEXT WEEK: A very routine summer pattern will likely continue, with partly sunny days and the risk of a passing shower or storm in a few spots each afternoon. Storm coverage will likely be a little higher by Thursday and Friday; highs will be in the low to mid 90s through much of the week.

TROPICS: Another very quiet day for the Atlantic basin. No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected at least for the next seven days.

ON THIS DATE IN 1926: At the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, lightning struck one of the explosives storage structures during a thunderstorm and started a fire. As a result, several million pounds of explosives detonated over a period of two or three days. This explosion not only caused structural devastation — 187 of 200 buildings destroyed — but military and civilian casualties as well. Close to 100 were injured as the explosion spread havoc within a radius of 15 miles in New Jersey.

ON THIS DATE IN 2005: Dennis made landfall near Gulf Breeze as a Category 3 hurricane with winds around 120 mph. The system continued to move northward and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it entered Marengo County. Several counties across the state reported downed trees and powerlines, leaving 280,000 people without electric power. Downed trees also left numerous county and state roads temporarily impassable. Winds gusted to 70 mph at Camden.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.