James Spann: Summer preview ahead for Alabama

Published On: 05.01.18 |

By: James Spann

James Spann: Summer preview ahead for Alabama

James Spann: Warm, dry weather continues today in Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

MAY STARTS WITH WARMTH: A developing upper ridge will bring the warmest weather so far this year to Alabama in coming days; we project highs in the low 80s today and mid 80s tomorrow through Friday, with sunny days and fair nights. A few spots could reach the upper 80s late in the week for a nice summer preview. The average high for May 1 in Birmingham is 78.

TO THE WEST: Severe storms are possible across the nation’s heartland today, tomorrow and Thursday, thanks to a deep upper trough over the western U.S. We are seeing forecast STP values (Significant Tornado Parameter) for 10 units over western Oklahoma tomorrow night.

The good news for Alabama is that the trough driving the severe weather event will weaken and lift well to the north late this week and over the weekend, and we do not expect any severe storms in our state for the next 7-10 days.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A weak surface boundary will drift slowly southward through the state, and we will forecast scattered showers and thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday. This is not a “washout” kind of situation, but if you have something planned outdoors just understand you will have to deal with a passing shower or storm from time to time over the weekend. Rain amounts should be under one-half inch for most places, and the sun will be out at times. Highs will be close to 80 degrees.

NEXT WEEK: Drier air returns Monday, and the first half of the week looks warm and dry. The temperatures you see below (output from the Global Forecast System ensemble) look a few degrees too warm most days, but you get the idea; temperatures will remain above average for the next 10-15 days if this verifies.