RINSE AND REPEAT FORECAST: There are only so many ways you can sum up the weather forecast this time of year since it just does’t change much from day-to-day. It is hot with highs in the low to mid 90s and it is oppressively humid with dew points in the mid to upper 70s and overall it is downright steamy and uncomfortable across Alabama. You’ll break a sweat just walking to and from the mailbox. Heat index values will be in the low 100s through Sunday, but should remain just below heat advisory criteria of 105°.
As far as heat relief, it is out there in the form of random, pop-up showers and storms. Though rain and storms are possible at anytime, the greatest coverage will come during the peak heating on the day, 1:00 p.m. until 11 p.m. Rain chances today are elevated, in the 60-70% range, but these should come down to the 30-40% range tomorrow and Sunday. The radar is already active today and storms will produce gusty winds, tremendous amounts of lightning, and torrential tropical downpours, which can and will lead to areas of isolated flash flooding.
BIRMINGHAM ALMANAC: For July 18th, the average high for Birmingham is 91° and the average low is 72°. The record high is 99° set in 1995, while the record low is 60° set in 1967. We average 0.18” of precipitation on this date and the record value is 1.56” set in 1901.
USA BRIEF: Heavy rainfall is expect from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and a heat wave begins this weekend. Strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will impact portions of the central Plains into the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic through the weekend. A stretch of unusually hot and humid weather is expected across portions of the central U.S. and the Southeast beginning this weekend and continuing through next week. The heat may reach dangerous levels, particularly mid to late next week.
IN THE TROPICS: The Atlantic basin is quiet, and tropical storm formation is not expected for at least the next seven days.
NEXT WEEK: Heat levels rise some next week as the upper ridge across the southern U.S. will strengthen. This will cause our afternoon highs to climb into the mid 90s. Afternoon showers and storms next week will be isolated as rain chances will be in the 20-30% range. Heat index values are likely to surge above heat advisory criteria for several days next week.
WORLD TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation outside the U.S. was 124.9F at Basrah International Airport, Iraq. The lowest observation was -97.6F at Vostok, Antarctica.
CONTIGUOUS TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation was 114F at Stovepipe Wells and Death Valley, CA. The lowest observation was 33F at Kipling, MI.
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