ANOTHER SUMMER-LIKE DAY: Birmingham has reached 90 degrees this afternoon. This is the latest 90-degree high on record, and beats the old daily record of 88 set in 1938. Other 3 p.m. temperatures include 91 at Montgomery, 89 at Tuscaloosa, 87 at Anniston and 86 at the Shelby County Airport in Calera. The average high for Oct. 19 (for Birmingham) is 74.

Showers are just about impossible to find on radar this afternoon; today is the 31st consecutive day without measurable rain in Birmingham. We note the Birmingham Water Works has now called a “stage three drought warning” effective immediately.

In addition to the regulations involved in stages 1 and 2, the following restrictions are now in effect:

• The Birmingham Water Works Board will implement surcharges for excessive water use. Municipalities are requested to adopt and implement their drought ordinances.
• Customers will be allowed to water established lawns and landscaping one day per week using irrigation systems for no more than a total of one hour. Customers without irrigation systems will be allowed to hand water using a hose with a nozzle two days per week.
• New lawns and landscaping are exempt from day-of-the-week watering restrictions for the first 20 days after installation.
• Athletic fields may be watered Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. when determined that the fields are hazardous to the health and safety of children and athletes by being too hard by virtue of a lack of water.
• Golf courses are to restrict watering to tees and greens only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Exemptions will be made for select commercial outdoor water users.

COLD FRONT ON THE WAY: Showers and storms are a good possibility over the northern half of the state late tomorrow and tomorrow night; the Storm Prediction Center has a marginal severe weather risk defined for parts of north and west Alabama.

The main threat from heavier storms will come from hail and gusty winds; we do not expect tornadoes, due to weak wind fields. While a few scattered showers and storms are possible tomorrow afternoon, it now looks like the best chance of rain comes from 6 p.m. tomorrow through 3 a.m. Friday.

Unfortunately, this won’t be a “drought buster.” Rain amounts should be less than one-half inch for most communities. And this could very well be the last chance of rain for the rest of October, based on long-range model data.

We should also mention the rain will miss the southern half of Alabama; no rain is expected there for the next 10 days.

BIG COOL DOWN FRIDAY: Friday will be a mostly sunny, windy and cool day with a high in the mid to upper 60s. A north wind of 10-20 mph will make it feel cooler.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: We project lows in the 38- to 43-degree range both Saturday and Sunday morning, and colder valleys and protected areas could very well see a touch of light frost for the first time this season. Look for sunshine in full supply both days; 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 and Sunday morning at the Superspeedway.

NEXT WEEK: The weather looks dry with sunny days and clear nights; highs will be in the 70s, with lows in the upper 40s and low 50s.

AT THE BEACH: Sunny days, clear nights on the Gulf Coast from Panama City Beach over to Gulf Shores through next week. Highs in the 80s tomorrow, then down in the 70s Friday through the weekend. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

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