HOT JULY WEATHER: Alabama’s weather won’t change much today. An upper ridge and the associated upper warm air aloft will mean mostly dry and hot weather; temperatures reach the mid to upper 90s this afternoon, and the chance of a cooling shower for any given point is only 5 to 10 percent.

THE WEEKEND: The ridge weakens, opening the door for the return of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Best chance of a passing shower or storm will come during the afternoon and evening, but we can’t rule out a late night or morning shower. Highest coverage will come Sunday, but even then it won’t rain everywhere due to the scattered nature of summer thunderstorms.

Unfortunately it is impossible to forecast placement and timing of summer storms, but if you have something planned outdoors just be aware that a rain delay is very possible. Expect a high between 92 and 95 tomorrow, and closer to 90 Sunday with a mix of sun and clouds both days.

NEXT WEEK: We will broad-brush the week with the classic summer forecast for Alabama: partly sunny, hot, humid days with “scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms.” Highs in the 90s.

TROPICS: Tropical storm formation is not expected across the Atlantic basin through early next week.

AT THE BEACH: Mostly sunny days, fair nights and only isolated thunderstorms from Panama City Beach to Gulf Shores through early next week. Highs on the immediate coast between 87 and 90, with mid 90s inland. The sea water temperature early this morning at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is 87 degrees. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

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