RADAR CHECK: We have a few widely scattered showers and thunderstorms over the southern two-thirds of Alabama this afternoon; they are moving southward, and most of them will dissipate after sunset. Otherwise, we have a mix of sun and clouds today with temperatures ranging from the 80s over the northern counties to the upper 90s around Mobile and Dothan.

The weather won’t change much Thursday, but by Friday afternoon and evening an approaching front could increase the number of thunderstorms over the northern third of the state. The Storm Prediction Center has defined a marginal risk of severe storms there due to the potential for strong, gusty winds.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The front will sag southward Saturday, and the European global model suggests this will be the day with the highest coverage of showers and storms. Still, it won’t rain everywhere; any one spot stands a 40-50% chance of seeing some rain. A drier air mass works into the state Sunday with fewer showers. Highs will be in the low 90s both days.

NEXT WEEK: A dry air mass will mean rain-free weather for most of the state during the first half of the week with lows in the 60s over the northern counties. A few isolated showers or storms could show up by Thursday and Friday, but there’s still no sign of widespread rain. Highs will remain generally in the low 90s.

TROPICS: Ernesto is now a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph; the center is about 225 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The system is moving to the northwest at 16 mph, and the turn to the north will continue tonight. The latest National Hurricane Center track has Ernesto near Bermuda early Saturday morning.

Ernesto is no threat to the U.S., and the rest of the Atlantic basin is very quiet.

ON THIS DATE IN 1953: Hurricane Barbara hit North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane. Damage from the storm was relatively minor, totaling around $1.3 million (in 1953 U.S. dollars). Most of it occurred in North Carolina and Virginia from crop damage. The hurricane left several injuries, some traffic accidents and seven fatalities in the eastern United States; at least two were due to electrocution from downed power lines. Offshore Atlantic Canada, a small boat sank, killing its crew of two.

ON THIS DATE IN 1969: Hurricane Camille, a powerful, deadly and destructive hurricane formed just west of the Cayman Islands. It rapidly intensified, and by the time it reached western Cuba the next day, it was a Category 3 hurricane. Camille was spawned on Aug. 5 by a tropical wave off the coast of Africa. The storm became a tropical disturbance on Aug. 9 and a tropical storm Aug. 14.

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