While most of the eyes are focused on the Gulf of Mexico for the upcoming formation of a tropical depression and eventually Tropical Storm Barry, we have to focus on the oppressive heat and humidity across Central Alabama for today, along with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. First, let’s start off with the heat and humidity.
The Heat Advisory that was issued late on Wednesday for a good part of Central Alabama for today was expanded in area and in time earlier this morning. The advisory now goes from 12:00 pm today until 6:00 pm this evening, and includes the counties of Blount, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Marengo, Marion, Pickens, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston. Heat indices will once again approach or exceed 105 degrees in the advisory locations during the main heating of the day thanks to the higher humidity levels from the tropical moisture flowing in from the Gulf and afternoon highs expected to reach the lower to mid-90s.
There will be several factors in play that will have our scattered to numerous shower and thunderstorm chances elevated throughout the day and into the evening hours. A surface front will be pushing into the Tennessee Valley but will more than likely stall out over the northwestern parts of the state today. Showers and thunderstorms will likely develop along and ahead of this boundary and increasing across the northern parts of the area with the heating of the day.
In the southern parts of the area, we’ll see convective bands from the developing tropical system over the northern Gulf of Mexico move northward and bring rain and thunderstorms to the south and southeastern parts of the area. Coverage of these storms could expand as the bands begin to interact with an area of convergence between the tropical disturbance and the surface front.
No organized severe weather is expected today across Central Alabama, but a few of these storms may be strong with gusty winds. What we really need to worry about with these storms will be the cloud-to-ground lightning.
For later this evening and through the overnight hours, much of the convection will die off and allow much of the shower and thunderstorm activity to diminish, but a few lingering showers and storms are possible especially near the boundary in the northern parts of the area. Lows for tonight will be in the lower to mid-70s.
If there are any changes to this, I’ll be back with an update. Have a great day and God bless.
Central Alabama Weather 