Rain on Sunday; Warmer Temps This Week (5/31/2014 3:10P)

 

Temperatures are in the upper-80s across central Alabama right now with isolated showers and thunderstorms happening over the southern and western portions of Alabama. Showers and thunderstorms become more widespread on Sunday before diminishing somewhat for Monday and Tuesday.

Be sure to have the rain gear handy for Sunday, as we can’t rule out scattered showers and thunderstorms even in the monring hours. Temperatures will be around 72 at 6AM, rising to around 84 by noon, and our afternoon high will be right around 90 degrees in most spots across central Alabama.

As an area of low pressure to our west dissipates, our rain chance will return to seasonal levels for Monday through Wednesday. With the rain chance going down, temperatures are headed up! Most places across the state will be in the mid-90s by Thursday and Friday. Isolated storms will be possible, but the coverage will be much less than Sunday and Monday.

Be sure to join us on WVUA News at 10PM for all of the latest news and weather information.

 

Spinks Megginson
WVUA Weather

Scattered Storms Continue… Hot Next Week… Friday Forecast Update – 5pm

Good Friday afternoon! Our local weather has turned out hot this afternoon, under a partly sunny sky. As of 5pm, there are numerous showers and storms passing across Alabama, but the storms are scattered. This means it won’t rain all evening at your house, and some areas will remain dry. The nearby storms will cool all areas off a bit this evening…

The risk of rain overnight tonight is fairly low after 9pm, as we lose the afternoon heating. Some fog is possible late tonight and early Saturday, so use caution on the roads. Rain chances are a tad lower over the weekend, but I still expect scattered showers and storms on Saturday and Sunday. In-fact, rain chances may increase a tad on Sunday, as a backdoor type of cold front moves into the area. That may provide enough lift to get a few extra storms during the afternoon heating process on Sunday. Rain chances are at 40% on Saturday and 50% on Sunday. Expect a mix of sun and clouds over the weekend. Expect highs in the upper 80s over the weekened, with lows in the upper 60s to near 70. We could have some patchy fog Saturday night and Sunday night.

As the upper air support really dies across the area and upper air ridging moves in, rain chances will drop and daytime highs will rise. Expect highs near 90 on Tuesday and Wednesday, then low to mid 90s on Thursday and Friday. The risk of a passing afternoon storm or two will remain in the forecast over the weekend, but the risk is rather low.

We’ll be keeping an eye on a tropical feature moving into the Gulf next week. One computer model tries to develop it into a weak tropical storm late in the week and next weekend. The good news… Cool water temperatures and wind shear should prevent anything big from developing in the Gulf next week.

The beach forecast this weekend will include a mix of sun and clouds, with the risk of a few pop up storms. Most of the weekend will be nice at the coast, but keep in mind there is a risk of rain at times. Temperatures will top out in the 80s along the coast, with lows in the 70s.

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

 

Weak Tropical Low Next Week? Tropical Update – 10am Friday

Good Friday morning! We’re about to get into the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which officially begins on June 1st. It’s not uncommon for tropical action to develop this time of the year. The GFS, one computer model we use for forecasting, is picking up on a weak tropical low in the central Gulf of Mexico late next week. This model has been very consistent on developing a feature down there for nearly a week, so we will be keeping an eye on it.

The good news! Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are still fairly cool, and wind shear will remain fairly high over the area, so anything tropical should be weak. At most, I wouldn’t expect anything stronger than weak tropical storm status. If you have a beach trip planned late next week or next weekend, keep an eye on this. Due to the lacking ingredients for tropical intensification, this system would likely become nothing more than a nasty beach day or two, with rain and breezy conditions. As we get a bit closer and model data becomes more consistent, we will update the forecast.

Warning! You may see some bone-heads on social media try to hype this system up and suggest a major hurricane will impact the coast. Don’t trust a source you don’t know. If it’s not from the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service or local TV Weather, I wouldn’t trust it. If there’s a system to be concerned about it, I’ll post lots of updates and thoughts on it.

Keep in mind, a developing El Niño will keep most of the tropical season quiet this year, due to an increased amount of wind shear. Hurricanes can’t survive or develop in an environment with wind shear. Remember Hurricane Andrew? We were in an El Niño season that year as well, yet one storm was able to get well organized, as wind shear temporarily weakened. While the odds are lower for a destructive landfalling hurricane this season, it only takes one…

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

 

Scattered Storms… Muggy… Thursday Forecast Update – 4pm

Good Thursday afternoon! Much of Alabama has picked up some rain today, but the heavier rain has been over east Alabama this afternoon and evening. As of 4:30pm, we’re watching another batch of rain and storms over Mississippi, tracking northeast. Expect the risk of rain at times this evening and tonight, but I don’t expect rain for hours and hours non-stop. If you have plans out door this evening, keep the umbrella nearby incase some rain moves your way. Temperatures will remain and conditions will remain muggy tonight. Some fog will start to develop in some areas tonight, so use caution if you’re on the roads tonight or early Friday morning.

Scattered showers and storms will remain possible on Friday, as the upper level low to our west continues to influence our weather. The low will be weakening, so the risk of rain will gradually decrease over the next few days, with only a few scattered storms over the weekend. With a little more sun on Saturday and Sunday, we’ll notice warmer temperatures. Highs will reach the upper 80s this weekend, under a partly sunny sky. A few storms are possible, but I don’t expect an all day type of rain.

Rain chances will continue to drop early next week, but a few afternoon storms are still possible on Monday and Tuesday. Highs will top out near 90 both days, with lows in the upper 60s to near 70 at night. With a muggy airmass still in place, pop up storms are possible at any point, so keep the umbrella handy.

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

High Rain Chances Continue… Wednesday Forecast Update – 4:25pm

Good Wednesday afternoon! Much of Alabama has picked up some rain today, especially across the western half of Alabama. Forecast models continue to indicate Alabama will deal with scattered rain and storms at times over the next several days, as an upper level low stalls out just to our west. This feature will remain close enough to bring rain at times, but I don’t expect an all day or night type of rain event for the state. Some downpours could be locally heavy with intense lightning. A few showers and storms will remain possible overnight tonight, with lows in the middle to upper 60s. Some fog is possible tonight, as the air temperature reaches the dewpoint.

Expect a good chance of occasional storms on Thursday and Friday, especially during the aftenroon hours. I don’t expect any severe weather issues, but some storms may be rather noisy. Highs will top out in the upper 80s on Friday and Saturday. Event rain totals will be hard to predict, due to the scattered nature of the storms. Some areas could get 1 to 3 inches of rain while others hardly get enough to measure. We need the rain, so anything will be considered beneficial.

The upper level low will lift out, but a very moist airmass will remain across the state over the weekend, so scattered storms will remain possible. Rain chances stand at 40% this weekend, so have a backup plan if you have any outdoor event. If it rains in your area, it shouldn’t last more than an hour. Expect lows in the upper 60s at night.

Rain chances drop into the 30% range by Monday and Tuesday, with only a few pop-up afternoon storms becoming possible. Highs will reach the lower 90s early next week.

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

 

Scattered Storms Likely… Tuesday Forecast Update – 4:45pm

Good Tuesday afternoon! As of 4:45pm, there are a few scattered storms moving from south to north across Alabama. These will gradually die out after sunset, once we lose the afternoon heating. I can’t rule out a stray shower or storm during the overnight hours, but most areas will remain dry.

The upper level low to our west now looks to move closer to Alabama on Wednesday and Thursday. Rather than the system stalling to our west, models agree that it will get close enough to bring higher rain chances to Alabama. Expect a good chance of scattered storms on Wednesday and Thursday, especially during the afternoon hours. While there is a good chance you’ll get a passing downpour at your house on Wednesday and Thursday, it won’t rain all day and some areas will remain dry. Temperatures will remain a tad cooler on Wednesday and Thursday, due to a mostly cloudy sky. Highs will top out in the middle 80s both days.

Rain chances will remain in the forecast through the end of the week and over the weekend, but the risk of rain drops to more of isolated activity. Expect a few passing afternoon storms over the weekend, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90.

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

Hot and Humid Days… A Few Storms… Monday Forecast Update – 4:35pm

Good Monday afternoon to you! It’s another hot and summer-like day on this Memorial Day. Temperatures are in the lower 90s across much of the state, with a partly to mostly sunny sky. Most of Alabama is dry this afternoon, but a quick, passing shower can’t be ruled out this afternoon and evening. Rain chances are low today and on Tuesday. The upper air ridge remains in firm control of our local weather, but an upper level low may help to bring some slightly better rain chances to the state a little later this week.

Tuesday will be very similar to today, with temperatures starting off in the middle 60s at sunrise, then climbing into the lower 90s during the afternoon. Skies remain mostly sunny to partly cloudy on Tuesday and Wednesday. The upper level low to the west of Alabama will get close enough to bring a slightly better rain chance to the state by mid to late week, but the best rain chances will remain west of Alabama. If this system can progress further east, our local rain chances would increase in response to that. At this time, a beneficial rain looks unlikely. Lows remain in the middle to lower 60s, with afternoon highs near 90.

We’re watching next weekend close, as a northwest flow aloft may setup over Alabama. This could allow for a cluster of storms to pass through the state. At this time, models are very iffy on this, so I’ve left the rain chances at 30%. If I see more evidence of this happening, rain chances may increase over the weekend. Keep checking back with us for updates.

The weather along the Alabama Gulf Coast is looking hot and mainly dry this week, with highs in the upper 80s and lows in the 70s. Skies remain partly to mostly sunny all week along the coast, with a small chance of a storm here and there. If it rains along the coast, it won’t last very long…

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

Hot Weather Continues… Few PM Storms… Sunday Forecast Update – 9:30pm

Good Sunday evening to you! Much of Alabama remained hot and dry today, with highs in the lower 90s this afternoon. A few pop-up storms developed across the area today, but 90% of the state didn’t get a drop of rain. Conditions will remain dry tonight, and some patchy fog could develop late tonight.

Memorial Day is looking hot and mainly dry, with a high near 91. Skies will remain partly to mostly sunny on Monday, so pack the sunscreen if you’re making the trip to the river or pool. If you have beach plans this week to the Alabama Gulf Coast, expect hot temperatures and mainly dry conditions. A few pop up storms are possible, but most of each day will remain dry. Highs will top out in the upper 80s at the beach, with lows in the 70s. Skies will remain mostly sunny in that area through the end of the week…

A summer-like ridge will remain in place for much of next week. This means we will deal with hot, hazy and humid days next week, with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. A few pop up storms are possible each afternoon, but the chance of rain is only 20% on Monday through Wednesday and 30% Thursday through Sunday. Expect lows at night to continue in the lower 60s.

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

Hot Weather Continues… Isolated Storms… Saturday Forecast Update – 9:15pm

Good Saturday evening! It’s been a rather hot day across Alabama, with partly sunny skies. Temperatures are gradually cooling back into the 70s as of 9pm. Temperatures will reach the lower to middle 60s overnight tonight, under a partly cloudy sky. The rest of our Memorial Day Weekend is looking similar to today, but keep in mind, there’s a small chance of a passing storm each afternoon. Rain chances stand at 20%, so most areas will remain dry.

Highs will reach the lower 90s on Sunday through Wednesday of next week, with the small chance of a passing shower or storm each afternoon. I don’t expect any major rain chances this weekend or early next week, but the risk of rain bumps up just a tad by Thursday and Friday to 30%. Highs will remain hot, with upper 80s to near 90 in many spots late next week. The summer ridge that is starting to bake Alabama will continue to do so for a while…

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

Hot Holiday Weekend Ahead… Friday Forecast Update – 4:30pm

Good Friday afternoon! Don’t forget, we have a meteor shower happening tonight between 1am and 4am. This has a potential to be a significant meteor shower, with as many as 200 visible per hour. There are lots of uncertainties with this because we’re passing through a comet debris cloud we’ve never been through before, so it could become a dud. There is a high chance this will become a big show tonight. Sky conditions here will  be mainly clear, so I don’t expect any cloud cover issues.

Temperatures are very hot this afternoon, with lower 90s across all of west and central Alabama. Temperatures will gradually cool back into the 70s after sunset, then 60s for lows. Expect skies to remain mostly clear tonight, becoming partly cloudy Saturday afternoon. There could be a few pop up storms Saturday and Sunday afternoon, but the risk of rain is low for Memorial Day weekend. If you have plans to the river, lake, pool or beach, keep in mind lightning safety incase a pop up storm moves over your area. The risk of rain is only at 10%, so most outdoor plans will be fine. Highs will top out in the lower 90s through Monday, with lows in the lower to middle 60s.

Rain chances will increase a tad by the middle of next week, as the upper air ridge backs off to the west a bit. This should allow for scattered storms to enter the forecast area, especially by Thursday and Friday. We may have to make some changes to the rain chances as we get closer to the middle or end of next week.

If you’re going to the  beach for Memorial Day Weekend, expect dry weather, with temperatures in the middle 80s. A nice sea breeze will develop each afternoon along the central Gulf Coast. Lows at night will remain in the 70s all weekend.

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.comor 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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. and weekends at 10PM for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua