James Spann: Occasional summer downpours for Alabama through tonight
RADAR CHECK: More strong summer storms have fired up in the ocean of humidity that covers Alabama and the Deep South this afternoon. Parts of the Birmingham metro are receiving heavy rain again, but these storms are moving along at a decent pace, and rain won’t be as heavy or prolonged as what we experienced early this morning. The Storm Prediction Center maintains a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms for about the northern half of Alabama through tonight; heavier storms will be capable of producing hail and strong winds. And, of course, with the ground saturated in many areas more flooding could develop.
Storms should be mostly over by around midnight; we don’t expect another overnight mesoscale convective system (MCS) like last night. Temperatures this afternoon are in the 70s where rain is falling; otherwise readings are between 85 and 90 degrees.
THURSDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND: The weather will settle into a more typical summer pattern Thursday through Sunday. That means partly sunny, humid days with scattered showers and storms, mostly between 2 and 10 p.m. Highs will be between 85 and 90 degrees. The SPC has parts of west and south Alabama in a marginal risk (level 1) of severe thunderstorms Friday for the potential of another MCS with gusty winds and some hail.
NEXT WEEK: An upper ridge will build across the region, meaning rising heat levels and fewer showers. Temperatures could reach the mid 90s through the week, making it the hottest week so far this year.
TROPICS: All remains very quiet across the Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected through the weekend.
ON THIS DATE IN 2001: Tropical Storm Allison hit Houston, Texas, for the second time in three days. Louisiana and southern Texas were inundated with rain. Baton Rouge received 18 inches over just a couple of days. Some portions of Texas racked up 36 inches by June 11.
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