Trying to pinpoint warm season precipitation in West and Central Alabama can be quite a challenge. This is mainly because of the frequent small-scale and isolated nature of rain and thunderstorm development. One feature we monitor as a trigger for storms is what’s known as an “outflow boundary.” As storms collapse they leave behind cooler air, which diverges amongst the landscape. An outflow boundary leads this cooler air and can serve as a trigger for storms on days like today. Such a feature triggered rain over Perry County last night and once again, this afternoon another outflow boundary is tracking through Bibb County. This may trigger a shower or thunderstorm this evening. Otherwise, we will have a partly to mostly clear sky tonight, with lows near 70.
It’s going to feel hotter over the next few days, with a mixture of clouds and sun. Our weather will become more influenced by an upper air ridge centered back over Texas. All eyes are on the core of extreme heat under this ridge, with places like Amarillo at the time of this posting sitting at 104-degrees. We will keep our fingers crossed and hope that the core of hot air remains west of us. Needless to say, we will have our share of hot and humid weather over the next few days, with highs in the middle 90s. The heat index will top 95 degrees. There will be a chance for isolated thunderstorms and showers in the afternoon. Because of a weak disturbance rounding the upper ridge to the north, a few more afternoon thunderstorms may try to materialize late Sunday.
The upper air ridge will dominate through the middle of next week. Each day will feature lots of sun, with cumulus clouds developing by noon. Highs by Tuesday may top the 95 degree mark and that would mean heat index temperatures nearing 100. The threat for isolated thunderstorms will remain, although there will be many areas that will remain dry. We will have more details for you tonight at five, six, and ten!
Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist
Posted by sky7weather 
