Rain Chances Increase This Week…Some Strong Storms Possible… Tuesday Update – 5:15pm

Good Tuesday afternoon to you! Scattered showers and storms have developed in the peak heating this afternoon, but many spots remain rain free. The good news is that rain chances will increase over the next few days, so if you haven’t got rain yet, you stand a good chance between now and the weekend. Temperatures have been very hot this afternoon, with highs in the middle to upper 90s. Spots that have picked up a nice downpour this afternoon, are a bit cooler.

An upper level low over northern Florida is producing numerous showers and storms as far west as east Alabama and Georgia. The higher risk of rain will increase across all of central and west Alabama tomorrow and on Thursday as the upper level low moves into our area. Deep tropical moisture and cold air aloft will help to increase instability and kick off scattered to numerous storms. Clouds will also start to increase on Wednesday and Thursday. I still expect a partly cloudy sky on Wednesday, so temperatures will likely reach the lower 90s. Upper 80s to lower 90s are a little more likely on Thursday through Sunday. The heat will come down due to the extra clouds and rain in the area. The best chance of scattered to numerous storms will happen during the afternoon and evening hours, but we can’t rule out rain at night or in the morning hours each day this week and over the weekend. Since the environment is favorable for showers and storms, that chance will extend into the overnight hours as well. It will not rain all day or night, but you will need the rain gear at times. Many spots will pick up a nice soaking rain between now and Sunday. Average rain amounts may reach the 3 inch mark across central and west Alabama today through Sunday. You know the summer deal, some spots will get more rain while others get a little less.

A cold front will become a player in our forecast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This will provide more lift across our state and kick off more shower and storm coverage. Rain chances will increase to 60% on Thursday through Saturday, with a 50/50 risk for rain and storms on Sunday. The cold front will become stationary across north Alabama, and will continue to keep good rain chances in our local area. Again, this will be the come and go type of storms. I don’t expect an all day or night rain. Some storms could become strong to severe on Wednesday through Sunday, but the risk of severe weather is low. The main threat will include damaging winds and hail.

The beach forecast is looking fair over the next 5 days, but there will be the risk of scattered showers and storms. Similar to our local weather, it will not rain all day or night along the coast, but a storm is possible at any time. Look for highs to reach the upper 80s on Wednesday through Saturday along the Alabama Gulf Coast and northwest Florida Panhandle.

Send us your weather pictures! Send them to weather@wvuatv.com. Also, look us up on facebook and twitter. Like us on facebook by searching facebook.com/wvuaweather or WVUA-TV Weather. You can find us on twitter by searching weather@wvuatv.com or WVUA-TV Weather. Great way to get weather updates! Plus, facebook is a great way to send us weather pictures. Simply tag us!

Join us live on WVUA-TV weekdays at 4, 5, 6 and 10 pm and weekends at 10pm for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott

WVUA Chief Meteorologist

rscott@wvuatv.com

 

Hot Day, With Storms Today…Higher Rain Chances Ahead This Week! – Tuesday Morning Update 10:45am

Good Tuesday morning! Temperatures are getting hot in a hurry, with some spots reaching the 90 degree mark as of 1045am. Tuscaloosa has reached 90 and Sylacauga has hit 91 degrees. Skies are mostly sunny to partly cloudy across all of west and central Alabama, so look for a fast increase in temperatures through this afternoon. So far, the only rain on radar is near Selma, but I expect that to change this afternoon. We can expect a good chance of scattered, afternoon storms today.

There’s an upper air disturbance over the southeastern US coastline. This system is moving northwest and will start to bring the risk of scattered storms today. Rain chances hold at 40% across our area this afternoon, but higher rain chances are expected for the rest of the week. Keep in mind, outdoor plans should go fine today. While there is a fair risk of scattered showers and storms, they won’t last all that long. A storm at your house or event may last up to 1 hour, then move on.

The coverage of showers and storms will increase on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Look for a 50 to 60% chance of rain and storms, mainly during the afternoon hours. With a deep tropical airmass in place and a weak upper air disturbance overhead, there’s a chance that rain could fall during the overnight hours or morning hours. The best chance of rain area-wide will occur between lunch and 10pm. Keep the rain gear handy this week because you will need it at times. That being said, it will not rain all day or night. Showers and storms will come and go and remain scattered. Atleast the chance of rain is high this week, so many spots will get the much needed rain.

A weak cold front will slide into north Alabama on Friday and Saturday. This will only help to increase rain chances across our area. The heat should come down some as we approach Thursday and Friday, due to the extra clouds and rain at times. I’ll have more on your forecast later today.

Send us your weather pictures! Send them to weather@wvuatv.com. Also, look us up on facebook and twitter. Like us on facebook by searching facebook.com/wvuaweather or WVUA-TV Weather. You can find us on twitter by searching weather@wvuatv.com or WVUA-TV Weather. Great way to get weather updates! Plus, facebook is a great way to send us weather pictures. Simply tag us!

Join us live on WVUA-TV weekdays at 4, 5, 6 and 10 pm and weekends at 10pm for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott

WVUA Chief Meteorologist

rscott@wvuatv.com