Saturday Forecast Discussion: First Triple Digits Of The Season Possible

Well I guess a little rain is better than nothing. Yesterday a few thundershowers managed to develop over east Alabama. This part of the state really needs the rainfall because a severe to extreme drought is in place. We may see those abnormally dry conditions spreading westward if the pattern continues.

There is often a saying in meteorology that drought feeds drought. When you get in these types of dry patterns they are hard to break and it sure seems like that’s been the case this week. Another broad high pressure ridge has become anchored to our northwest and this feature is now centered over Oklahoma. A front is also draped across the state but this will do little in providing heat relief. Instead, temperatures today and tomorrow will soar into the upper 90s. Some areas will experience the first triple digit heat of the season today. Take frequent breaks and avoid strenuous activities.

A Look Ahead... Latest on Gulf System.

The forecast for early next week also looks dry but there is a feature getting lots of attention. A strong tropical wave in the Gulf may likely become the next Tropical Depression or Tropical Storm. Debby is the next name on the roster and while the models agree that an organized system could develop, these data do not have a handle on the future track.

Scenario one is that the system could track towards Florida, based on an eastern U.S. trough guiding the system northeast. Scenario two is that the ridge will build east into Georgia and northern Florida, forcing the system to track westward or northwestward. Scenario three is that the system could stall between the ridge and upper level trough.

Regardless of these scenarios, we expect no impact in our area through Monday. If the system tracks towards northeast Florida, a few additional showers and thunderstorms could impact southern areas by Tuesday or Wednesday.Dangerous Rip Currents are already threatening coastal Alabama and more numerous shower and thunderstorm development will be possible in these areas by Monday.

Join us for more on Fox 6 News Saturday morning.