James Spann: The Alabama weekend will feature hot afternoons, widely scattered rain

RADAR CHECK: We have widely scattered showers and storms on radar this afternoon, mainly over the western half of the state. While most of Alabama is dry, the heavier storms are producing small hail and gusty winds. Away from showers temperatures are in the low to mid 90s. Isolated storms will end quickly after sunset; tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 65-70 degree range.

Alabama’s weather will remain in a holding pattern through the weekend. Like recent days, we will have a handful of small, isolated showers around during the afternoon and evening hours. Otherwise, expect partly to mostly sunny days and fair nights. Afternoon highs will be in the 90-96 degree range, lows will be in the 60s.

NEXT WEEK: Global models continue to show an upper low forming northwest of the state by mid-week; this feature should bring an increase in the number of showers and thunderstorms by Wednesday and Thursday. Highs will be in the low 90s through the first half of the week, then dropping into the mid to upper 80s by Thursday and Friday. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: This afternoon Tropical Storm Gabrielle, with winds of 50 mph, is about 915 miles southeast of Bermuda. It is moving to the northwest at 12 mph, and shows signs of better organization. It will likely be a hurricane by Sunday … it will pass east of Bermuda as it turns east/northeast into the open Atlantic. No threat to land.

Elsewhere, a tropical wave is located several hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, and is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity. Some slow development of this system is possible through the middle to latter part of next week while it moves west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. NHC gives this feature only a 20% chance of development; models keep the wave weak and disorganized.

No tropical storms or hurricanes are expected across the Gulf through the rest of September.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn travels to Norman to take on Oklahoma tomorrow (2:30 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be partly sunny and a passing shower or thunderstorm is possible during the game. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80s.

UAB will be in Knoxville to take on Tennessee tomorrow (11:45 a.m. kickoff) … the sky will be partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 80s. We will mention a small risk of a passing shower during the game.

Jacksonville State hosts Murray State tomorrow 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 tomorrow 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 1947: A hurricane made landfall near the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana. Wind gusts of 112 mph and a central pressure of 967 mb were measured at Moisant International Airport. A storm surge of 9.8 feet reached Shell Beach, Lake Borgne. Moisant Airport field was flooded by two feet. of water while Jefferson Parish was flooded to depths of 3.28 feet; 51 people were killed. As a result of this storm, hurricane protection levees were built along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain to protect Orleans and Jefferson Parishes from future storm surges.

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