We are currently at 45 consecutive days of no measurable rain at the Birmingham Airport, and in my honest opinion, I believe it will be at 46 by the time we hit midnight tonight. The cold front that is expected to bring a few isolated showers and cooler temperatures to Central Alabama is making it was southward. At this midday hour, skies are mostly clear and temperatures have already warmed up into the upper 70s and low 80s. It is possible that a few places today could be near record highs for today, and some could tie the record.
Looking at the latest HRRR model run for today through early tomorrow morning, we do have the possibility for a few isolated showers for areas north of the I-20 corridor, but they really fall apart as they approach the central parts of the area. Therefore I believe the Birmingham metropolitan area will stay dry or may have a few sprinkles, but not enough to be measurable in the rain gauge. For those lucky ones who do get rain, it will not be much at all.
Temperatures in Central Alabama at 12:00 PM CDT:
- Birmingham 81
- Tuscaloosa 81
- Gadsden 81
- Anniston 81
- Cullman 79
- Haleyville 79
- Alabaster 80
- Sylacauga 82
- Alexander City 81
- Auburn 79
- Selma 82
- Montgomery 85
Latest on Our Drought Conditions:
According to the latest update to the drought monitor graphic released this morning, almost all of North Alabama has been defined under an “Extreme Drought” intensity or worse, with the exception of the northwestern corner of the state. A Drought Emergency continues in effect, banning any outdoor burning for the northern two-thirds of the state. A Fire Alert remains in effect for the whole state. Click here for more information.
Code Yellow Air Quality Alert:
Particulate Matter 2.5 levels will be high enough to raise a Code Yellow Air Quality Alert for the Birmingham metropolitan area today. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Birmingham’s Climatology and Records:
The normal high for November 3rd is 69, while the normal low is 45. The record high for today was set back in 2003 at 84. The record low was set back in 1954 at 21.
Rest of Today:
We could be close to record warmth again today before the cold front moves through later this evening. Skies will be mostly clear, with more clouds moving in with the approach of the front. Afternoon highs will be up in the mid 80s for the most part, with a few upper 80s in the extreme southern parts of Central Alabama. Skies will be mostly cloudy during the evening and overnight hours tonight, with a very small risk for an isolated shower or two with the passage of the front. I do not believe anyone south of I-20 will get any rain, and the odds for anyone north of that getting any rain is around one in eight. If any rain falls at all, amounts will be less than 0.1 inches. Overnight lows will be in the 50s to near 60 degrees.
Friday’s Forecast:
It will be cooler and a little breezy under mostly sunny skies for your first Friday for November. Afternoon highs will be in the mid to upper 70s for the most part, with a few 80s in the extreme southern parts of Central Alabama. Winds will be out of the north averaging around 10-15 MPH. For the evening and for the first round of High School Football playoffs, skies will be clear throughout the evening. Temperatures will start off in the upper 60s to the low 70s at 6:00 PM, and falling into the 50s by 10:00 PM. Overnight lows will be in the 40s.
This Weekend:
The sun will be out in full force and temperatures will be closer to seasonal. Afternoon highs will be in the 70s with overnight lows in the 40s, with a few colder pockets dropping into the 30s by Sunday morning.
Time Change:
We make the switch back to standard time this weekend. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before heading to bed on Saturday night. For those who use Universal Time, we go back to -6 UTC.
Early Look At Next Week:
Sunny days and fair nights can be expected through Thursday, with afternoon highs mostly in the 70s and overnight lows mostly in the 40s. Still no sign of any significant chance of rain.
Headed to the Beach:
Sunny days, fair nights on the Gulf Coast through next week. Highs in the low 80s today, upper 70s tomorrow and over the weekend.
The Tropics:
A disturbance is well northeast of the Leeward Islands; if anything develops it will stay over the open water and is no threat to land. Good news is that the Atlantic Hurricane Season comes to a close at the end of this month.
On This Day in 1987:
Twenty-one cities, mostly in the Ohio Valley, reported record high temperatures for the date. The afternoon high of 80 degrees at Columbus OH was their warmest reading of record for so late in the season. Showers and thundershowers associated with a tropical depression south of Florida produced 4.28 inches of rain at Clewiston in 24 hours.
Central Alabama Weather 