CLASSIC SUMMER WEATHER CONTINUES: A very humid, tropical air mass lingers over Alabama today, and we have scattered showers and thunderstorms in progress. They are most numerous over the southern half of the state at mid-afternoon but should increase over the northern counties through the evening in the unstable air. Temperatures are generally in the mid to upper 80s; the average high for Birmingham on July 24 is 91. Showers and storms will fade late tonight as the air cools and becomes more stable.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Not much change. Look for partly sunny days, very humid air, highs between 87 and 91, and scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms. The chance of any one place seeing rain both days will be around 30%, and most of the showers will come from about 1 until 9 p.m. There’s no way of knowing in advance exactly when and where they form; you just have to watch radar trends.

NEXT WEEK: The upper ridge over the region weakens. With colder air aloft the air will be more unstable, and we expect rather unsettled weather through the week with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms daily. Highs will remain below average, generally in the 86- to 90-degree range.

TROPICAL STORM HANNA: Hanna features sustained winds of 50 mph in the Gulf; the center is about 230 miles east of Corpus Christi. Landfall comes on the lower Texas coast Saturday. The main inland impact will come from heavy rain and flooding; some spots could see amounts of 5-10 inches over the weekend. Hanna will dissipate early next week over northern Mexico.

TROPICAL STORM GONZALO: This one, centered about 445 miles east of the Windward Islands in the Atlantic, is struggling due to its small size and dry air. Winds are down to 45 mph, and it is expected to dissipate by Monday morning over the Caribbean well before getting close to the Gulf of Mexico.

HURRICANE DOUGLAS: This hurricane in the Pacific has sustained winds of 120 mph and will continue to weaken over the next few days. It moves over the Hawaiian Islands Sunday and will bring strong winds and heavy rain.

INVEST 92L: Invest 92L is a well-organized wave in the far eastern Atlantic. The disturbance is expected to move westward across the tropical Atlantic during the next several days, and some gradual development of this system is possible by early next week when it reaches the western tropical Atlantic. There’s a decent chance this becomes Tropical Storm Isaias. Just one to watch for now.

ON THIS DATE IN 1952: The temperature at Louisville, Georgia, soared to 112 degrees to establish a state record. The temperature also hit 112 degrees in Greenville, Georgia, on Aug. 20, 1983.

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