RADAR CHECK: The stronger thunderstorms across Alabama today are over the southwest corner of the state, where parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning as I write this at mid-afternoon. These storms are south of a surface front; north of that boundary the sky is partly to mostly sunny over the central counties of the state. Up in the Tennessee Valley of far north Alabama, some light to moderate rain is falling ahead of a disturbance north of the state. Temperatures range from the upper 70s at Huntsville to the mid 90s over south Alabama.Showers and storms across the state will fade after sunset.

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: The surface boundary will dissipate and moisture levels will slowly rise statewide. We expect a mix of sun and clouds both days with scattered showers and storms, most active during the afternoon and evening. Highs will be between 85 and 89 degrees for most communities.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: High precipitable water values will be in place, and we expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms on these three days. Not a total washout at all, but a passing shower or storm is a good possibility from time to time. Most of the showers, but not necessarily all of them, will come from noon to midnight. The sky will be occasionally cloudy with highs mostly in the mid 80s, which is below average for mid-August in Alabama.

NEXT WEEK: A number of showers and storms are likely Monday and Tuesday; they should thin out a bit over the latter half of the week. Afternoon highs remain in the 80s.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: The high school football season kicks off Friday night for most schools; the weather will be warm and humid, and random storms will be around during the evening. There’s no way of knowing in advance the exact locations, but a few games could experience a lightning delay. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s at kickoff, falling into the upper 70s by the second half.

TROPICS: A tropical wave over Nicaragua is forecast to move across Central America during the next few days and emerge over the Bay of Campeche, where an area of low pressure could form on Friday. Some gradual development of this system is possible while it moves northwestward over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico through the weekend. For now the National Hurricane Center gives this disturbance a 20% chance of development over the next five days. The rest of the Atlantic basin is very quiet.

ON THIS DATE IN 1992: A tropical wave in the Atlantic grew into a tropical depression; the next day it would become Tropical Storm Andrew. Further development was slow, as the west-northwestward-moving Andrew encountered an unfavorable upper-level trough. Indeed, the storm almost dissipated on Aug. 20 due to vertical wind shear. By Aug. 21, Andrew was midway between Bermuda and Puerto Rico and turning westward into a more favorable environment. Rapid strengthening occurred, with Andrew reaching hurricane strength on Aug. 22 and Category 4 status on Aug. 23. It would go on to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record in the U.S., striking south Florida Aug. 24 and Louisiana Aug. 26.

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.