Published On: 07.08.22 | 

By: James Spann

James Spann: Storms more numerous in Alabama Saturday

RADAR CHECK: Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue to develop across Alabama this afternoon in the hot, humid air. The more numerous storms at mid-afternoon are over the eastern half of the state; heavier storms are capable of producing strong, gusty winds, heavy rain and lots of lightning. Away from the storms temperatures are mostly in the mid 90s.Showers and storms will end after sunset.

Over the weekend, the large-scale upper high responsible for the heat will begin to shift westward, and heat levels begin to fall slowly. We project a high in the low to mid 90s Saturday, followed by upper 80s Sunday. There will be an increase in the number of showers and thunderstorms both days. Odds of any one spot getting wet over the weekend are 60-70%; this doesn’t mean a rainy weekend, but it does mean a good chance of a passing shower or storm from time to time.

All 67 Alabama counties are in a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms Saturday. Heavier storms will be capable of producing strong winds and some hail. Of course, all summer storms have gobs of lightning as well.NEXT WEEK: Temperatures are expected to be below average next week, with highs most days in the mid to upper 80s. The air will stay very humid, however, and we will have scattered showers and thunderstorms daily, mostly during the afternoons and evenings. Long-range guidance suggests the hottest weather in the nation will remain out west potentially for the rest of July.TROPICS: All remains calm across the Atlantic basin, including the Gulf of Mexico, and tropical storm formation is not expected through next week.

ON THIS DATE IN 1680: The first confirmed tornado death in the United States occurred in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The funnel was filled with stones, bushes and other things. The tornado also unroofed a barn and snapped many large trees.

ON THIS DATE IN 2003: What may be the world’s highest dew point temperature was recorded at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in the Persian Gulf. A dew point of 95 degrees was recorded at 3 p.m. while the air temperature was 108 degrees. The apparent temperature at that time would have been 172 degrees.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.