Very Hot, Storms Ahead…Tuesday Afternoon Forecast Update 4pm
July 24, 2012 Leave a comment
Good Tuesday afternoon to you! It’s hot today, with many spots in the middle to upper 90s as of 4pm. Since dewpoints are high, heat index values are tough this afternoon, with values in the 105 to 108 degree range. Heat index is a factor of air temperature and dewpoints; it’s a comfort index. If you have plans outdoors for the rest of the afternoon and evening, use caution and stay hydrated. Temperatures will fall into the lower 90s by 7pm and lower 80s by 10pm tonight. Since dewpoints are high, temperatures will fall rather slowly after sunset. Don’t forget that much of the area is under a heat advisory through 7pm tonight.
Temperatures will remain very hot on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs between 97 and 100. Expect mostly sunny skies both Wednesday and Thursday, with the risk of a passing afternoon storm. Most spots will stay dry through Thursday. Heat index will continue to be a big factor, with values between 103 and 108. Try to limit outdoor work to the morning and evening hours, to avoid peak heating hours. If you have to work during the hottest part of the day, take breaks and drink lots of water.
The strong upper air ridge is baking much of the US and deep south today, but there will be some changes over the next few days. The upper air ridge will weaken quickly on Thursday and Friday, which will allow a weak cold front to drop into our area. The front will move into north Alabama Friday afternoon and will allow for an increase in storm coverage. Showers and storms will increase to a 50/50 coverage on Friday. I don’t expect an all day type of rain on Friday, but some spots will get a good soaking for an hour or less. There is some hint that the cold front will east through central Alabama on Saturday. If the front can move south of HWY 80, then all of our area will deal with sunny skies and drier air on Saturday and Sunday. I still have a risk of a few showers and storms along the cold front Saturday morning, but model data pushes drier air into the area after lunch. I’ve taken all rain chances out of the forecast for Sunday and Monday. Skies will become mostly sunny on Saturday through Monday, with afternoon highs in the lower to middle 90s. If the lower dewpoints can move into our area, we’ll catch a quick break in the humidity late in the weekend. We’ll continue to fine-tune the weekend forecast as the week progresses.
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Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
