WBRC Weather

Here We Go!

We head into the unofficial start of Summer Season 2013 with fantastic weather!

It's already really nice outside with cooler, drier air in place.  Under sunny skies, expect highs near 76-degrees this afternoon.  Tonight's lows should bottom out near 49-degrees...cool stuff!

Temps will likely warm through Memorial Day Weekend and especially into next week.  Under clear to partly cloudy skies, look for highs through Monday into the low to mid-80s...lows in the 50s.

Next week, temps should eventually make it into the upper 80s and lows warming into the upper 60s...skies becoming partly cloudy, with only a slight chance of  isolated showers.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

A Break in the Rain - Hello Sunshine

We'll be under the influence of high pressure through the foreseable future.  Expect plenty of sunshine with slightly cooler temperatures.  Friday afternoon highs will reach the mid to upper 70s.  You'll be most suprised by a brief cool snap Saturday morning.  Temperatures will fall into the upper 40s.  It still looks like the weather will be warm enough for the beach, lake, and the BBQ grill.

The cold front that came through today will reach all the way to South Florida for the weekend.  If you have any plans for travel in the Southeast the weather will be fantastic....few clouds and no rain.

By the way, the official NOAA Hurricane Forecast was released today.  The forecast is indicating above average activity in the Atlantic.  The average number of storms each year is 12.  Keep in mind, the forecast only predicts intensity and number and not whether or not we'll see a landfall.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6

A Marvelous Memorial Day Weekend

Look for mostly sunny skies for this afternoon, with highs in the mid-80s. A mild front is expected to push through Alabama today, bringing northwest winds at 10-to-15 mph.
Variably cloudy skies are expected tonight, with lows near 60-degrees. 

High pressure should be with us Friday through Memorial Day and on into much of next week.  Expect mostly clear to partly cloudy skies...highs warming into the 80s...lows in the 50s to 60s.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

A Few Thunderstorms, but Overall Calmer Weather

The forecast is going to be improving a bit in the coming days.  Fortunately, we're almost finished with our pattern of cloudy, stormy, and rainy weather.  This weekend will be nothing like last weekend.  We're expecting some of the best outdoor weather in weeks.  Temperatures will reach the lower to mid 80s Saturday through Monday with some cooler mornings.

This is our beach forecast that extends from Gulf Shores to Panama City.


We're not completely out of the woods for rain and storms tomorrow.  Our RPM forecast model is indicating a chance of a few showers and storms during the afternoon mainly north of I-20.  The rain will be spotty at best with most seeing sunshine throughout the day.

The longer range forecast through next week looks mainly dry.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
@jpdice_Fox6

Scattered Showers, Storms

Look for a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms for today.  The Nation's Storm Prediction Center has put the far northeastern corner of Alabama under a "Slight Risk" of seeing severe storms.  If any storms materialize there, they will likely come in the form of strong winds.  Tornadoes are not likely.  Expect highs today near 83...southwest winds at 5-to-10.

Tonight we could see a few isolated showers early, with partly cloudy skies overnight.  Look for lows near 64...light winds

The chance of rain for Thursday looks minimal.  I'm only going with a 20-percent chance at this point...a high near 84.

Friday through Memorial Day...look for clear to partly cloudy skies...highs in the low to mid 80s...lows in the 50s to low 60s.

High pressure should give us clear to partly cloudy skies through next Wednesday...highs in the mid-80s...lows in the low to mid 60s.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Watching Strong Storms Approach West Alabama

For now - it looks like the NWS will issue Special Weather Statements on the storms moving into West Alabama.  Over the last hour there have been few damage reports in Mississippi.  The max wind gust reported in Starkville was around 35mph.

As you can see from this radar snapshot the storms are almost at the Alabama line and will soon impact Marion, Lamar, and Pickens Counties.  The primary threat will be gusty winds and intense lightning.  The storms should remain under severe weather limits.  But - I will warn you they will be noisy storms.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6

Overnight Severe Threat?

We're watching the storms to our west very closely tonight.  It looks like we're seeing a considerable weakening as the storms track to the east.  With wind shear lacking, these storms will turn into primarily rain producers for Northwest Alabama.  In the Fox 6 viewing area, we will likely get some heavy rain, wind gusts over 20mph, and some lightning overnight.  The best chance for rain and storms will be Marion and Lamar Counties.

This is updated RPM model data for the overnight.

West Alabama will experience some rain and thunderstorms tomorrow morning, but the best chance of stronger storms will occur during the afternoon.  Let me stress - it looks like storms tomorrow will remain below severe limits.  We will have some thunder and lightning.


You'll see spotty showers and storms during the afternoon as a cool front nears the area. 


Temperatures tomorrow will reach the lower 80s with partly sunny skies.  Rain chances will taper off during the evening hours.  Looks like drier weather for Thursday and milder temperatures just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6

Small Severe Risk for Extreme North Alabama

It looks like the severe weather will stay away from the Fox 6 viewing area, but for places North of the Tennessee River you could experience some gusty winds and hail this afternoon and evening.  The risk is fairly small, but a thunderstorm warning or two is not out of the question.  The highest risk in Alabama for severe storms today would include Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin Counties.

Today is going to be another active weather day for Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas with tornadoes likely.  Little Rock southward to Shreveport and Westward to near Dallas are likely areas to be impacted.  If you have friends and family in those areas - you might want to alert them to the possibility of additional dangerous storms today.

Here at home our rain and thunderstorm chances will climb tomorrow with little to no risk of severe weather.  The dynamics with the potent system in the Plains will track far to our north.  I think hail and winds over 20mph will be our greatest threat after 1pm tomorrow.  We'll keep you posted.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6 

A Nice Memorial Day Weekend Ahead

We begin our forecast with hot temperatures.  Today will likely be the warmest in our 7-day planner.  Look for clear to partly cloudy skies and highs near 90-degrees.  It will be a muggy, sticky feeling, Summer-like afternoon.

Wednesday and Thursday bring about a  30-to-40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms.  Severe storms are not expected for us this week.

Friday through the extended Memorial Day weekend we are expecting very nice weather.  Look for mostly clear to partly cloudy skies...highs in the low to mid 80s...low in the low 60s.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

 

Monday Evening Forecast Discussion: More Hot, Humid, & Hazy Weather

(Latest simulated radar product suggests possible showers in our area tomorrow night. Rain chances will be higher on Wednesday.)

For the third day in a row severe weather continues to impact states like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. Earlier today the world watched as another large tornado tracked just outside of Oklahoma City and into the community of Moore. This type of severe weather will not be impacting our state however the disturbance responsible for the storms will bring a return chance of rain to our area on Wednesday.

Right now a high pressure ridge has built overhead and this has set the stage for hot, humid, and hazy weather conditions. Low clouds or fog may try to develop late tonight but this cloud cover should give way to more sunshine tomorrow. Highs tomorrow will be near 90-degrees in many areas.

Rain Chances Return on Wednesday

The upper level trough to our northwest will be moving over the region on Wednesday. As temperatures warm during the day, numerous scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop by the afternoon. A front is expected to move our way on Thursday and this will bring another chance for a passing thunderstorm or shower. Given the recent heavy rainfall, I would not be surprised to see some flash flood issues later this week. There is also a chance one or two storms could be strong or severe with gusty straight-line winds. Once again this will be far from the type of setup impacting Oklahoma today. On Friday the storm threat should be sliding into south Alabama as drier air arrives.

Mostly Dry Weather for Memorial Day Weekend

The long range models are showing another high pressure ridge building overhead this weekend. This will set the stage for partly to mostly sunny conditions for a good portion of the Memorial Day weekend, with highs in the mid 80s. I’m expecting similar weather conditions along the Alabama Gulf Coast, with a few isolated afternoon storms possible on Monday.

Fox6 Meteorologist Wes Wyatt
Twitter @weswyattweather
facebook.com/weswyattfox6
wwyatt@wbrc.com