It’s a beautiful but steamy late Sunday morning across North and Central Alabama. Skies are mostly clear with bright sunshine dominating, except for some wispy cirrus over Southeast Alabama. Temperatures are already climbing through the 80s, with Ozark’s Cairns Army Air Field, Huntsville’s Tom Sharp Field, and Northwest Alabama Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals tied for state hottest honors at 89 degrees. Dewpoints remain firmly in the lower to middle 70s, creating very muggy and uncomfortable conditions. With highs reaching 90 to 93 this afternoon, heat index values will approach or briefly exceed 100 degrees in a few spots.
HEAT ADVISORIES IN EFFECT
The National Weather Service continues Heat Advisories for portions of northwest Alabama where heat indices may top 105 degrees this afternoon. The advisory covers Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin counties under the Huntsville office and Marion, Lamar, and Fayette counties under Birmingham’s jurisdiction. Elsewhere, conditions will be very warm and muggy but just shy of advisory levels. This pattern of borderline heat advisories will likely expand and intensify as we move into the new work week.
SPOTTY STORMS DEVELOPING THIS AFTERNOON
A few widely scattered thunderstorms will begin to develop after 3 PM, mainly across eastern sections of Alabama. As these storms form, they will drift west-southwestward during the afternoon and early evening hours before dissipating near sunset. Areal coverage will be limited to about 10 percent, but any storm that does form could be quite intense with dangerous lightning, heavy downpours, and brief strong wind gusts. Most communities will remain dry, but don’t be surprised by a quick downpour if one drifts overhead. No severe storms are expected, but a rogue warning can’t be ruled out along with a flood advisory or two.
RIDGE STRENGTHENS THIS WEEK
The subtropical ridge continues to build over the Southeast, keeping rain chances low and allowing temperatures to climb further as we move into Monday and Tuesday. Highs will reach the mid 90s for many areas, with heat index values edging closer to the 105-degree mark for broader sections of Central and North Alabama. This strengthening ridge will suppress most afternoon convection through midweek, setting the stage for the hottest stretch of the summer so far.
Category: Alabama’s Weather, ALL POSTS, Severe Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
Bill Murray is the President of The Weather Factory. He is the site’s official weather historian and a weekend forecaster. He also anchors the site’s severe weather coverage. Bill Murray is the proud holder of National Weather Association Digital Seal #0001 @wxhistorian
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