Update on storm threat for later today

The rain that moved through this morning, dropping about 1/4" of rain in BHM and a little more in some places, and the clouds behind it, have really kept things cooler than expected so far today.  At noon, temperatures were still at or below 80 over much of north and central Alabama, and the atmosphere is stabilized by the early morning storms that came in from the north.

Still, a cold front is approaching from the north, and enough sunshine will likely get through this afternoon, especially over north Alabama, to allow a few storms to form along it late this afternoon or tonight.  There may even be a few strong winds gusts and some intense lightning.  If the clouds thin out this afternoon and temperatures go up into the upper 80s, things will change, with more intense storms possible tonight. 

Dr. Tim Coleman