James Spann: Dry, cooler air hits Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

MOST COMFORTABLE DAY OF THE WEEK: Dry, continental air has dropped into Alabama. Vic Bell, our Skywatcher at Black Creek, just northeast of Gadsden in Etowah County, reports 51 degrees at 6 a.m. Russellville, Fort Payne and Valley Head have dropped to a refreshing 52. The day will be sunny with lower humidity and a high in the mid 80s. Tonight will be pleasant, and again many spots will reach the 50s early tomorrow morning.

A warming trend begins tomorrow afternoon; with a sunny sky, we will be close to 90 degrees by mid-afternoon.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Mostly sunny days, fair nights and the hottest temperatures so far this summer. We project low 90s Friday, and mid 90s Saturday and Sunday. Moisture levels will slowly rise with higher humidity. Can’t totally rule out an isolated afternoon shower by Sunday, but most communities will stay dry.

NEXT WEEK: We will mention the risk of widely scattered afternoon showers Monday and Tuesday, but many places will remain dry with highs in the low 90s. Scattered storms should be a little more numerous over the latter half of the week as the upper ridge weakens slightly.

GULF COAST WEATHER: Mostly sunny days, fair nights on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach through the weekend, with only isolated showers or storms Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the 80s on the immediate coast; mid 90s are likely for inland communities by the weekend. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin is quiet and tropical storm formation is not expected over the next five days.

WEATHER BRAINS: You can listen to our weekly 90-minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including meteorologists at ABC 33/40.

For more weather news and information, visit AlabamaWX.