NEW RECORD: Birmingham reported 88 degrees at 3 p.m., a new record high for Oct. 18. The old record was 86, set in 1947. It is our first daily record high during October since 1984. To the south, Montgomery reports 90 degrees.

TOMORROW: We are forecasting a high of 88 tomorrow. If that forecast verifies, it will tie the Oct. 19 record high for Birmingham, set in 1938. The sky will feature a mix of sun and clouds, and we are going to mention widely scattered showers and thunderstorms as the air becomes more unstable and moisture levels rise a bit.

BIG CHANGES LATER THIS WEEK: A cold front will push a band of showers and storms into the state Thursday afternoon; the Storm Prediction Center maintains a marginal severe weather risk for the part of Alabama generally north of Interstate 20.

The main window for rain will come from 4 p.m. until midnight, and the main risk from stronger storms will be small hail and gusty winds (no tornado threat). Unfortunately, rain won’t be too heavy. Most communities will see well under one-half inch. It won’t be a “drought buster.”

Friday will see a stiff north breeze of 10-20 mph, and temperatures will be much cooler, with a high only in the mid to upper 60s despite a sunny sky.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday morning will be the coldest so far this season, with a low down in the 38- to 43-degree range. Colder pockets could see a touch of light frost. Saturday and Sunday will feature a sun-filled sky; the high Saturday will be in the upper 60s, followed by mid 70s Sunday.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For high school games Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear, and temperatures will be cool, falling through the 50s. You will need a jacket this week.

Alabama will host Texas A&M Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium (2:30 p.m. kickoff). The sky will be sunny; 68 degrees at kickoff, falling into the upper 50s by the final whistle.

Auburn hosts Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday evening (5 p.m. kickoff). The sky will be clear, with temperatures falling from near 67 degrees at kickoff into the upper 50s by the end of the game.

RACE WEEKEND AT TALLADEGA: Friday will be breezy and much cooler with a sunny sky, and a high in the mid to upper 60s. Expect a bright, sunny sky Saturday and Sunday with fantastic temperatures; the high Saturday will be close to 68, followed by a high of 75 Sunday. Temperatures will drop to near 40 degrees early Saturday morning at the Superspeedway.

NEXT WEEK: Sunny, pleasant days and clear, cool nights. Highs mostly in the 70s, lows in the 50s — right at seasonal values for October in Alabama.

AT THE BEACH: Mostly sunny days, fair nights on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach through the weekend. Highs in the 80s through Thursday, falling into the 70s Friday and over the weekend. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

TROPICS: A disturbance could become a tropical depression soon, but it will move northward and is no threat to the U.S.

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