James Spann: Scattered storms possible today, mostly in south Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

CALM SUMMER WEATHER: On the maps this morning a surface boundary is near U.S. 80 (Demopolis to Selma to Montgomery to Opelika). Drier air is over North Alabama, and temperatures have reached the upper 50s at places like Cullman and Fort Payne. Our skywatcher at Black Creek, just northeast of Gadsden, reports 58 degrees at daybreak. Accordingly, the best chance of a pop-up afternoon storm today will be south of that front, over the southern counties of Alabama.

The chance of a shower for North Alabama is not zero, but the risk is so small for any one point that we won’t mention it in the forecast. The high today will be at or just over 90 degrees in most spots, with a partly to mostly sunny sky.

TOMORROW THROUGH SUNDAY: The surface boundary over Central Alabama will slowly lose its identity, but the air over the northern half of the state will remain pretty dry for early July. We will mention isolated storms during the afternoon and evening hours, but many communities will remain dry on these three days. The chance of any one spot getting wet each afternoon is about one in five. Heat levels will creep up, with highs in the 92- to 96-degree range.

MONDAY AND BEYOND: Another surface front will approach from the north, and we expect an increase in the number of scattered showers and storms for Independence Day. Still, no “washout.” Just be ready for a passing storm if you have something planned outside.

The rest of next week looks pretty routine, with hot, humid days and the risk of scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and storms.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin is still very quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the holiday weekend.

AT THE BEACH: Pretty standard summer weather for the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores over to Panama City Beach through the weekend; about six to eight hours of sunshine each day with the usual risk of a passing storm from time to time. Highs will be in the upper 80s on the immediate coast, with 90s inland.

To clear up confusion, there is no “flesh-eating bacteria” in the Gulf waters of Northwest Florida or South Alabama. Please read this well-written article by Jeremy Pate of WJHG-TV in Panama City that explains the situation very clearly.

See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

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