James Spann: Mostly dry day for Alabama; rain chances return over the weekend
James Spann forecasts another hot day for Alabama, then some weekend rain from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
ANOTHER HOT MAY DAY AHEAD: Today will be another hot May day across Alabama with lots of hazy sunshine; temperatures will reach the low 90s in many areas this afternoon. A few isolated showers or storms could pop up during the heat of the day over the southern half of the state, but the chance of any one location seeing rain is fairly low.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The upper ridge over the region will break down and moisture levels will rise. For Saturday, we are forecasting a mix of sun and clouds with a few developing showers and storms in random, scattered locations by afternoon. The better coverage will be over south Alabama, and the high will be between 86 and 90 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms will be more numerous statewide Sunday as a weak surface front approaches. It won’t rain all day, but periods of rain are likely along with the potential for a few strong thunderstorms. With only a limited amount of sun, the high Sunday will be close to 80 degrees.
NEXT WEEK: Rain chances will remain somewhat elevated through the week as a moist, unstable air mass remains in place. Each day we expect scattered to numerous showers and storms, most active during the afternoon and evening. Global models suggest the weather could begin to trend drier by Friday, May 27, as the holiday weekend begins. Highs will be mostly in the 80s through the week.
GETTING DRY: Birmingham has received only 0.05 inch of rain in the last 18 days. The last day with more than 1 inch of rain was April 16, when the total was 2.59 inches. The surplus for the year is down to 4.92 inches.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: The Birmingham Stallions host the Michigan Panthers Saturday (6:30 p.m. kickoff) at Protective Stadium; the weather will be warm and humid with an outside risk of a passing shower. Temperatures will fall from near 86 degrees at kickoff to near 80 by the final whistle.
ON THIS DATE IN 1957: A tornado touched down southwest of Kansas City and traveled 71 miles, cutting a swath of near destruction through the southeastern suburbs of Ruskin Heights and Hickman Mills. The tornado claimed the lives of 45 people and left hundreds homeless. It was the worst weather disaster on record for Kansas City.
BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
WEATHER BRAINS: You can listen to our weekly show all about weather any time on your favorite podcast app. James Spann and a team of meteorologists from around the nation bring on interesting guests; it’s a great podcast for weather geeks.
CONNECT: You can find me on the major social networks:
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.
