James Spann: Scattered showers Thursday, but no drought buster for Alabama

BIG TEMPERATURE RANGE: As discussed here this morning, we project a big spread from morning low to afternoon high in coming days across Alabama. Some spots were in the upper 30s this morning across Northeast Alabama, but we have warmed into the low to mid 80s this afternoon with sunshine in full supply, and no soil moisture.
Today is the 37th consecutive day without measurable rain for Birmingham (based on data from the airport); the record streak is 52 days, set in 1924. The rain total for Birmingham is a trace for the month of October, and many wildfires and grass fires continue statewide. There is a “no burn” order in place, and everyone is encouraged to conserve water.
Tomorrow will be a partly sunny day with a high around 80 degrees.
A SHOWER THURSDAY: A surface boundary will bring the risk of a few showers Thursday, but with very limited moisture and weak dynamic support, showers should be few and far between, and many places won’t see a drop. Otherwise, the day will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high between 77 and 80 degrees.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Dry is the word; sunny, warm afternoons and clear, cool nights. Highs in the low 80s, lows in the 50s.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: A clear sky for the high school games Friday night with temperatures falling through the 60s.
For Saturday’s Magic City Classic in Birmingham (Alabama State vs Alabama A&M, 3 p.m. kickoff), the sky will be sunny with temperatures falling from near 81 degrees at kickoff into the 70s by the fourth quarter.
Auburn is on the road this weekend, playing at Ole Miss in Oxford (6:15 p.m. kickoff). The sky will be clear, with temperatures falling from near 72 at kickoff into the low 60s by the fourth quarter.
Alabama has the weekend off.
NEXT WEEK: Dry weather continues Monday through Wednesday with warm afternoons and cool nights, but there is hope for showers Thursday and Friday as moisture levels rise and an upper trough gets closer. Probably not a major rain event, but at least it is a start.
AT THE BEACH: Sunny, warm days and fair, pleasant nights through the weekend. Highs in the low 80s, lows in the 60s from Panama City Beach over to Gulf Shores. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.
TROPICS: The Atlantic basin is quiet; over in the eastern Pacific, Hurricane Seymore is packing sustained winds of 125 mph, but it won’t affect any landmass.
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