James Spann forecasts high rain chances for Alabama again today from Alabama News Center on Vimeo.

UNSETTLED PATTERN CONTINUES: With an upper trough axis just to the west and deep tropical moisture in place, we expect periods of rain and a few thunderstorms across Alabama today with a generally cloudy sky. Highs will be in the 79- to 84-degree range for most places, well below average for late July in Alabama. Like recent days, some spots could see heavy rain from stronger storms this afternoon.

FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY: Showers and storms remain possible daily, but they should thin out a bit as the upper ridge tries to slowly rebuild across the Deep South. Most but not all of the showers will come from noon to midnight, and with a mix of sun and clouds highs will be in the mid to upper 80s. The chance of any one location seeing rain each day is 50-60%.

NEXT WEEK: Heat levels continue to creep up, with low 90s likely over the latter half of the week. Expect partly sunny days with scattered, mostly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms, normal for midsummer. The rain next week won’t be as widespread as what we have experienced this week.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains very calm, and tropical storm formation is not expected through at least the next seven days.

ON THIS DATE IN 1936: Lincoln, Nebraska, saw an all-time high temperature of 115 degrees. The low only dropped to 91 degrees and the average temperature was 103. Many people spent the night outside to escape the heat.

ON THIS DATE IN 2005: The residents of Sand Point, Alaska, saw a rare tornado touchdown on two uninhabited islands. Sand Point is part of the Aleutian Chain and is about 570 miles southwest of Anchorage.

ON THIS DATE IN 2020: Hurricane Hanna made landfall on Padre Island, Texas, with winds of 90 mph. It dumped up to 18 inches of rain in isolated areas in southern Texas and Mexico. The storm also resulted in 50,000-plus people losing power.

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