SPOTTY SHOWERS LATER TODAY: We will mention the chance of a few widely scattered showers today and Wednesday, but the chance of any one location seeing rain is 25% or less both days. Otherwise, expect a partly sunny sky with a high between 88 and 92 degrees today, followed by mid to upper 80s Wednesday.

Rain coverage will increase Thursday with relatively widespread rain, especially over the southern half of the state. Periods of rain are likely statewide Friday with some thunder possible as well. The high Thursday will be in the low 80s, and on Friday much of Alabama will hold in the 70s all day because of clouds and rain. Rain amounts of 1-2 inches are likely for much of Alabama between now and Friday night.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A cold front will push through on Saturday, and we will mention the risk of a few showers along the front, but for now we aren’t expecting anything heavy or widespread. A cooler, drier air mass will arrive Saturday night, setting the stage for a sunny Sunday with lower humidity. Highs over the weekend will be mostly in the low to mid 80s, with 50s likely for the northern counties of the state Sunday morning.

NEXT WEEK: For now, most of the week looks rain-free with highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 50s and 60s, very seasonal for early September.

TROPICS: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring two features in the Atlantic basin this morning.

A tropical wave over the far eastern Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are forecast to become a little more conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form in a few days while the disturbance moves slowly west-northwestward or northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. This system could produce locally heavy rains and gusty winds across portions of the Cabo Verde Islands in a day or two. The NHC gives the system a 40% chance of development; global models suggest it will gain latitude and turn northward within four to seven days.

Disorganized showers and thunderstorms continue in association with a westward-moving tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea. Environmental conditions are expected to become more conducive for development when the system reaches the western Caribbean Sea and southwestern Gulf of Mexico late this week and over the weekend, and a tropical depression could form during that time. The NHC gives the system a 40% chance of development over the next seven days.

Once the system reaches the Bay of Campeche this weekend, global models are suggesting a decent chance this will become a tropical depression or storm, then lift northward. Models are not especially bullish on intensification for now, and the system remains just something to watch. There’s no way of knowing the final track or intensity if a system develops.

ON THIS DATE IN 1970: Amid a severe hailstorm at Coffeyville, Kansas, a stone 17.5 inches in circumference and nearly 2 pounds in weight was recovered. The average stone size from the storm was 5 inches in diameter, with another stone reportedly 8 inches in diameter.

ON THIS DATE IN 1979: Hurricane David made landfall in south Florida as a Category 2 storm. It caused 15 deaths in the United States. David was a Category 5 over the Dominican Republic, where more than 2,000 people died. On the same day, eyes were also on Tropical Storm Frederic in the open Atlantic; it would go on to strike the Alabama Gulf Coast on Sept. 12, 1979.

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