DAY 52: Today is the 52nd consecutive day with no measurable rain at Birmingham (records are kept at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport). Not a drop of rain during November so far; the total for October was just a trace on Oct. 16. The last measurable rain was 0.32 inches on Sept. 18. The last time we had more than 1 inch in a 24-hour period came on July 30, when the total was 1.33 inches.

We have tied the record of 52 dry days in a row set in 1924; we break the record tomorrow.

DROUGHT EMERGENCY CONTINUES: A drought emergency remains in effect for all 67 Alabama counties. No outdoor burning: It is illegal for any person to set fire to any forest, grass, woods, wildlands or marshes; to build a campfire or bonfire; or to burn trash or other material that may cause a forest, grass or woods fire. If a person is convicted, the penalty for violating the No Burn order is up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.

We have sunshine this afternoon filtered by high cirrus clouds. Temperatures are near 70 degrees.

TOMORROW THROUGH THE WEEKEND: The long dry spell continues with sunny days and clear nights. The high will be in the low 70s tomorrow and Friday, followed by mid to upper 60s Saturday and Sunday. Lows will be well down in the 40s, and upper 30s are likely early Friday and Sunday morning.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the high school playoff games Friday, a clear sky with temperatures falling from the low 60s at kickoff into the upper 40s by the second half.

Alabama hosts Mississippi State Saturday (11 a.m. kickoff). The sky will be sunny, with temperatures rising from near 62 at kickoff to 68 by the fourth quarter.

Auburn travels to Athens, Ga., to take on the Georgia Bulldogs (2:30 p.m. kickoff). A perfect day for football: about 65 degrees at kickoff, dropping back into the upper 50s by the final whistle.

NEXT WEEK: Still dry Monday through Wednesday, but both the GFS and the ECMWF bring a rather potent storm system in here late in the week with a chance of showers and storms by Friday and Friday night. Remains to be seen if there will be a severe weather threat, but it sure is nice to a see a chance of rain back on the board.

The European ensemble guidance still suggests more than 6 inches of rain from Nov. 15 through Dec. 25.

AT THE BEACH: Mostly sunny days, clear nights on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach tomorrow through early next week, with highs in the 70s. See a detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

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

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