LOOKS LIKE THE HIGHER HEAT & HUMIDITY LEVELS STAY WITH US FOR A WHILE
After heat index values exceeding the 105-degree mark on the last two days over the southern parts of the area, that trend will continue through the weekend and into the start of next week. A HEAT ADVISORY has been extended and is set to expire at 9:00 pm Sunday night for these Central Alabama counties: Autauga, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chilton, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa. Don’t be surprised if we see that extended in time and in the area before the end of the weekend. If heat index values look to top the 110-degree mark, an Excessive Heat Warning will be issued, possibly for Monday and Tuesday.
NO CHANGE IN THE FORECAST FOR SATURDAY
It will be hot and humid across Central Alabama to start off the weekend, which is no chance in what we’ve seen for the past couple of months. We’ll have a good chance of scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms across the area, but the good news is that storms that do develop will remain severe limits as there will be warmer air aloft and poor lapse rates. Highs will be in the lower to mid-90s throughout the area with heat index values approaching and exceeding 105 degrees.
PERHAPS A LITTLE DRIER ON SUNDAY… BUT STAYING HOT & HUMID
Ridging moves a little closer to Central Alabama on Sunday which will bring a shift in winds to more out of the north. While the mid-levels will be drier, the lower levels of the atmosphere will stay mighty moist across the area, especially the southern parts. Skies will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy with afternoon highs in the lower to mid-90s. Heat index values will approach and perhaps exceed 105 degrees along and south of the I-20 corridor. There is only a very small chance of an isolated afternoon shower to try to help cool it off a little bit.
THE HEAT IS ON… VERY HOT FOR MONDAY & TUESDAY
The ridge starts to flatten out which will allow afternoon temperatures to climb into the mid to upper 90s, and with dewpoints expected to be in the mid-70s, we could approach and exceed criteria for excessive heat warnings. Not very much help from rainfall as only a few isolated to scattered afternoon showers and storms are possible on each day.
RAIN CHANCES BACK ON THE RISE FOR WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
Troughing will take over the eastern parts of the US and we may have the bottom end of a cold front pass through Central Alabama. We’ll see a relief from the higher heat levels but we’ll remain in the lower 90s for afternoon highs. Wednesday will feature the highest chance of scattered to numerous showers and storms (50%-60%), while those chances some for Thursday (30%-50% from northwest to southeast).
TYPICAL AUGUST WEATHER TO END OFF THE WORK WEEK
The standard summertime forecast returns on Friday as we’ll see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies, hot and humid conditions with a chance of a few isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms across the area. Afternoon highs will be in the lower to mid-90s.
THE TROPICS
The Atlantic Basin is free and clear and no new tropical systems are expected to form within the next five days.
A FREE, FUN WEATHER PREPAREDNESS & SAFETY FESTIVAL FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
WeatherReady Fest is coming to Huntsville, Alabama on September 7, 2019, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Family-friendly games, fun learning activities, large response vehicles, and enlightening speakers will highlight this big, one-day weather festival on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Special guests include The Weather Channel’s Nick Walker, ABC 33/40’s Chief Meteorologist James Spann, and Owlie Skywarn. Each visitor will receive their very own passport booklet. Collect stamps from exhibitor for your chance to win door prizes. Tours of UAH’s SWIRLL and the NWS Huntsville office will be available as well. Get your free timed tickets quickly as they will not last long. More information and a link to the ticket site is available on the festival website at www.weatherreadyfest.com. The tickets are free and are issued for specific hours to maximize the number of people that can visit. I hope to see you there!
Central Alabama Weather 