WET AT TIMES THIS WEEKEND: An upper low will move into Louisiana from the Gulf of Mexico, and that will place a dry slot over a good portion of Alabama for Saturday. Scattered showers and storms will be possible for the western two-thirds of the state and likely over the eastern third. While some sun may peek through the clouds at times, we can expect a mostly cloudy sky. Highs will be in the upper 70s to the mid 80s.

A cold front will approach Alabama Sunday and will move into the state during the latter half of the day. More scattered to numerous showers and storms will be possible with mostly cloudy skies. No severe weather is expected with this front, and highs will be in the lower to mid 80s.

THE WORK WEEK AHEAD: The front will push into the southern and southeastern parts of the state on Monday, which will begin the flow of drier, continental air into Alabama. While most will remain dry, there is a slim chance of an afternoon shower or storm. Highs will be in the upper 70s to the upper 80s.

Some of the best weather we have seen in more than three months will start Tuesday. Humidity will be much lower and we’ll have plenty of sunshine. Highs will be in the lower to mid 80s. Wednesday will be the same, just a few degrees warmer, with highs in the mid to upper 80s for most. Some locations may start off the morning in the upper 50s just before sunrise. Again Thursday, look for mainly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 80s.

On Friday, a low moving up the East Coast will introduce a little more moisture to our air. While most will stay dry, a few isolated to scattered showers will be possible. Highs will be in the lower to mid 80s.

TROPICS: Hurricane Earl continues to move rapidly northeast as a strong Category 2 hurricane. Earl will continue this motion until Sunday night, when the storm is expected to slow down through Monday. Earl is expected to transition into a strong extratropical low today and will weaken. Large waves and dangerous rip currents can be expected to affect Bermuda, portions of the U.S. East Coast and the eastern shores of Canada through the weekend.

We also have a tropical wave that is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by early next week. Some gradual development of the wave will be possible after it moves over water and heads generally westward over the far eastern Atlantic. It has a very low chance of development over the next five days.

The good news is that there is nothing else out there, especially over the Gulf of Mexico, and no new development is expected over the next five days.

For more weather news and information from James Spann, Scott Martin and other members of the James Spann team, visit AlabamaWx.