A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN WEEKEND
After high clouds filtered the sunshine during the day on Friday, today and Sunday should be nearly perfect days for this time of the year. The only bad news is that this great weather only makes our drought situation worse. Both days will feature mostly clear skies and slightly cooler temperatures. Afternoon highs on Saturday will be in the 60s to the low 70s, with early morning lows mostly in the 40s, with a few locations in the 30s. Highs on Sunday will vary a little more, as highs in the west and central parts of the area will be in the mid to upper 60s, with highs in the eastern part in the low 60s. Early morning lows will be in the 30s and 40s.
THE RAIN-FREE STREAK CONTINUES
Today will mark the 55th consecutive day of no rain for the Birmingham area, the longest on record. The last time that measurable rain at the Birmingham Airport was back on September 13th, when a total of 0.32 inches fell. The last time we had a 24-hour rainfall total over 1 inch was back on July 30th when we had 1.33 inches. According to the latest drought monitor data, 52% of Alabama is now classified under an “exceptional” or “extreme” drought condition, which is pretty much all of the northern half of the state. Be sure to conserve water as well, as the Birmingham Water Works remains in a “Stage 4 Drought Emergency.”
NO OUTDOOR BURNING AT ALL
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.
BIRMINGHAM’S CLIMATOLOGY AND RECORDS
The normal high for November 12th is 66, while the normal low is 43. The record high for today was set back in 1985 at 82. The record low was set back in 1950 at 23.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Alabama Football: Mississippi State comes to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide. Conditions for today’s game couldn’t be better… Mostly clear skies throughout the game, with the temperature around 62 at the 11:00 AM CST kickoff, rising to 68 by the fourth quarter.
Auburn Football: The Tigers hit the road to face the Georgia Bulldogs at 2:30 PM CST in Athens, and the forecast looks great for this game as well. Mostly clear skies throughout the game with the temperature around 65 at kickoff, and dropping into the upper 50s by the final whistle.
THE WORK WEEK AHEAD
Same ole, same ole for pretty much the whole week… Mostly clear to sunny skies throughout the week with the dry streak continuing. Afternoon highs range in the upper 60s to the 70s through Friday, with early morning lows in the 40s. Late on Friday night and into Saturday morning, models are still showing a cold front pushing through the area. It’s too early to tell how much rain we could possibly get, but this will definitely not be the drought-busting rainfall that we need. This is the only chance for any rainfall through this forecast period.
GULF COAST FORECAST
Sunny days and fair nights on the coast from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach through next week with highs mostly in the 70s.
UPDATE ON THE TROPICS
Tropical storm formation is not expected throughout the next five days. The Atlantic Hurricane Season is winding down, as it ends on November 30th.
ON THIS DAY IN 1988
Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front produced severe weather in the Lower Mississippi Valley during the afternoon and early evening hours. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 80 mph at Bovina MS. Morning thunderstorms drenched Atlanta TX with more than four inches of rain.
Central Alabama Weather 