WBRC Weather

Summer-Like

Here we are in mid-May and our weather conditions are already looking to be very Summer-like.  Under variably cloudy skies today, look for a slight chance of heat activated showers...and highs in the low to mid-80s. 
Tonight we will likely just see mostly cloudy skies and lows near 65-degrees.

Friday's forecast is basically the same with a slightly higher percentage of afternoon showers.

This weekend's update:  On Saturday while we do have a slight chance of showers, the main focus of precipitation will likely be limited to the northeastern corner of the state.  Sunday's best chance of scattered showers will be relegated to areas north of I-20.

Our next workweek will likely begin with clear to partly cloudy skies.  More heat-activated shower chances join us again by midweek.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Another Hot Day

We begin the day under clear skies.  Highs this afternoon will likely average near 85-degrees.  Look for clouds to be on the increase this evening, with lows near 63.

A slight chance of showers joins us Thursday and Friday afternoons, but Friday will probably see a little more coverage of showers.

A trough could also push a few showers through northeast Alabama this weekend as well.

Highs and lows remain above average for the next 7-days.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Turning Hot and Some Spotty Thunderstorms On Thursday

The ridge of high pressure that has brought triple digit temperatures to the Plains is moving our weay and it means business.  The temperature trend through next week will keep us in the mid 80s and possibly even the upper 80s by the end of the weekend.  The average temperature is 81 degrees.  I would expect areas in West Alabama to reach 90 by Sunday.

As far as rain goes on Thursday, our forecast model is predicting the best chance during the afternoon hours.  Most of the rain should track just to the north of Birmingham during the afternoon.  Some of the rain could begin as early as late morning, but most will move in during the afternoon.  I'm still not predicting a widespread rain-event.  We'll see an almost Summertime pattern of pop up thunderstorms.  No severe weather is expected with this next system. 

The weekend is still looking generally dry and warm.  Highs both Saturday and Sunday will reach the mid to upper 80s with a few showers/storms returning early next week.  I recommend you find a pool or perhaps make a trip to the beach.

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

Warmer Today

After starting the week with very pleasant temperatures, highs are expected to be about 10-degrees warmer today.  Look for mostly sunny skies and highs in the low to mid 80s.

It looks like we will hold on to 80-plus highs for the next 7-days.  An approaching trough will push a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms our way Thursday into Friday along with slightly cooler air (low 80s), but temps are expected to rebound into the upper 80s this weekend under clear to partly cloudy skies.

I think swimsuit weather isn't too far away!

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Warmer Temps are Coming

A large dome of air pressure will control our weather over the next few days.  This will mean warm (if not hot temperatures) by Wednesday with highs reaching the upper 80s in a few parts of West Alabama.  A weak trough will track across the state on Thursday and this will bring clouds and a few showers to the area.  The good news - no severe weather is expected.  The weekend forecast looks like a winner with highs in the mid to upper 80s and little to no rain in the forecast.

The Hangout Music Festival is this weekend in Gulf Shores.  The forecast looks fantastic with only an occasional thunderstorm during the afternoon.  Highs will reach the upper 70s.

In the longer range forecast - we could see a few showers and storms next week.

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

Warmer Temps Coming

It's a very pleasant day today...much like Mother's Day with low humidities, mild temps and sunny skies.  

Tomorrow, the heat is on!  Tuesday's highs are expected to be about 10-degrees warmer.  Mid-80s are expected for most of the workweek.  We could even see upper 80s by the weekend.

Thursday and Friday could be the only day we see some rainfall, but rain chances stand at only 20-to-30 percent for those days.

Enjoy!

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Hope your Mother's Day went well and you were able to enjoy the cool weather and afternoon sunshine...and there's more to come! Expect temperatures overnight in the 30s and 40s, unseasonably cool for this time of year with a warming trend ahead for next week. we'll see the rain return after mid-week with highs back in the 80s and overnight lows in the 60s.
In the meantime, do what we did. Head out to Witt's U-Pick strawberry farm in Blount county and pick mom some berries. She might even make you a strawberry pie for your efforts!
Fred Hunter
FOX6 Meteorologist
fhunter@wbrc.com

Great Weather For Lawns & Gardens But Drought A Not So Distant Memory

When it comes to weather there are always highs and lows. Its hard to believe that nearly six full years have passed since the historic drought of 2007. The drought conditions in 2007 where catapulted by a 2006 statewide annual deficit of 12 inches. It was labeled as the worst drought in 50 years. The drought was most severe in eastern sections of our state. I remember driving east on I-20 and seeing dry ground under boat docks along the banks of Logan Martin. The water shortage was so severe that some cities feared water reserves would be depleted.  (Image-Dry Lake Bed-Source: NOAA)

When we think about drought the first things that come to mind are water restrictions and impacts on agriculture. However drought’s actually come in different forms. First there are meteorological droughts which involve the short term deficits in precipitation. If the deficits persist we begin to experience hydrological drought in which waterways and water supplies are impacted. The third form is agricultural drought followed by socioeconomic drought. Alabama experienced all four levels of drought which continued into 2008.  

Earlier this week we were discussing flood warnings along the Coosa River. It always amazes me how there are highs and lows when it comes to weather. While it seemed like we would never see a rebound in precipitation at the time, the persistent meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and socioeconomic drought conditions are now in the history books. Recently Alabama Climatologist John Christy released his summary for March and April stating that the last time Alabama had so little sign of drought was in June 2010. 

(Lawn/Garden Moisture Index Explained)

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

Forecast Lows For Tonight

We're expecting near record lows across our area tonight. Here are tonights records:

• Birmingham 38, 1960
• Tuscaloosa 37, 1960
• Anniston 34, 1960

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

Sunday Forecast Discussion: Much Cooler Today; Near Record Lows Tonight

(National Temperature Report at 8 AM 5/12/13.)

I want to kickoff today’s discussion by wishing all of the moms out there a big Happy Mother’s Day! We’ve got a much drier weather forecast for this Sunday. A cold front has made a push through our area and now cool continental air is settling into our state. Highs today will only reach the upper 60s, with a chilly northwest wind. Tonight the sky will clear and winds will settle, with lows dropping into the 40s. There is a chance some outlying areas could bottom out in the upper 30s tonight.

High pressure at the surface will build overhead tomorrow and this will set the stage for mostly clear skies, calmer winds, and comfy afternoon temperatures. After a cold start, afternoon highs will reach the low 70s. I’m expecting a decent stretch of dry weather that will linger through Wednesday. Highs by mid-week will rebound into the 80s.

Our Next Rainmaker

The weather pattern lately has featured recurring rain chances during the final days of the week. This week will be no different with isolated showers and thunderstorms returning to the forecast Thursday evening. There is a chance a cluster of storms could organize and drop in from the northwest late Friday and into Saturday. Right now we have a 40% chance of showers and storms in the forecast for Friday and Saturday. I’ll have more details on the long range forecast at 7 AM on WBRC Fox 6.

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