Posted on July 29th, 2010 by Mickey Ferguson
Ye ole thermometer will begin creeping up the scale today. Instead of the low 90s of yesterday, expect mid-90 degree highs this afternoon. Tomorrow through next Tuesday dangerous heat levels are expected. Highs will be close to 100-degrees and Heat Indices will be close to 110-degrees. If you have to be outside through Friday through Tuesday, try to do so during the early morning or evening. Drink plenty of water, especially before you get thirsty. Do not leave children in locked vehicles…temps in vehicles can rise above 130-degrees in minutes…quickly increasing the chance for heat stroke and possible death. Make sure to check on relatives, neighbors and the elderly.
Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather
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Posted on July 28th, 2010 by Kurt Schmitz
Today is turning out to be one of those beautiful summer days when it’s….just too doggone hot. Take about 10 degrees off our high today and it would be just about perfect – the air is clear, the breeze is blowing, and cumulus clouds dot the blue skies of Georgia and Alabama.
The reality is we’re headed into possibly another Heat Wave within a heat wave. After a short break in the extreme temperatures we may be headed back to 100º territory by the end of the week. The upper ridge that has remained anchored over the Deep South is going to come back before finally (and hopefully!) reforming over the Southern Plains which would take the core of the hot air back to Texas and Oklahoma next week.
The chance for a late afternoon/early evening thundershower will still be there, but development should be rather isolated and few will see rain on a given day.
Monday’s post talked about the possibility of Columbus making a run at the hottest month in the city’s history (the two hottest having been July 1986 and 1993) and it would seem that based on current forecasts that we’ll cut it pretty close. We have through Saturday to make a stretch run. (Have I been spending too much time in Dave Platta’s sports office?)
Whether we break a record or not, it’s safe to say August will almost have to be cooler, even though it may not be by much. The first week in August might actually get us closer to normal based on current model data. Part of what’s contributed to this prolonged heat is the dry ground in West Georgia due to lack of summer rainfall. Wet ground has a tempering effect on heat, though it does contribute to higher humidity.
Disclaimer: The computer models we use have been notoriously unreliable this summer beyond about 3 days, sometimes showing the heat waning a bit then doing a complete flip a day later. The best forecasts lately have been to keep temperatures and rain chances the same right through the 7 days (and a reminder that we don’t really forecast out to 7 days, but merely try to show trends past about Day 3). Current trend is more of the same, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for some change starting in August!
kschmitz@wtvm.com
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Posted on July 28th, 2010 by James-Paul Dice
No big changes with the forecast over the next several days. It’s coming down to how many different ways can you say partly sunny with a few scattered storms. Looks like a few showers and storms should track to the south of the Fox 6 viewing area this evening. The sky will be partly cloudy with only a slight chance tonight. By tomorrow, we’ll see plenty of sunshine with highs in the mid 90s A few showers and storms may develop during the heat of the day Thursday, but it does not look like widespread coverage. Expect temperatures to reach the upper 90s by Friday. High pressure will slowly drift to the west by the weekend and this will allow for a weak cool front to move into the Tennessee Valley. Northern Alabama should be a bit less muggy as a result of the front. The weekend looks mainly dry and hot. Have a great evening!
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 76. Winds light.
Tomorrow: Partly sunny with isolated PM storms. High 95. Winds NW 5-10.
James-Paul Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
james.dice@wbrc.com
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Posted on July 28th, 2010 by Wes Wyatt
In the office this afternoon with James-Paul. I had a great time visiting the kids out at the “Summer Days School Care” at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. I want to thank Julie Renta, Maresa Cammarata, Jessica Cheney, and Katherine Jordan for inviting us to the church.
Wes Wyatt
Fox 6 Meteorologist
wwyatt@wbrc.com
Twitter: weswyattweather
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Posted on July 28th, 2010 by Rich Thomas
It’s been a long hot summer so far, with so much summer left.
So far this year we have been 90 degrees or above 59 times. That’s 6 above where we were back on July 28, 1954. So, we’re on a pace to possibly beat the number of 90+ days back in the sizzling year of 1954. During that summer, we reached 90 or above 121 days!
It’s hard to beat the numbers in 1954. In that year we reached 95 or above 82 times. So far this year, we are at 34 days at 95 or above.
It’s going to be very hard to ever beat the number of 100+ degree days in 1954. It happened 26 times! The only year that rivals that was 19 back in 2007.
We’ve been to 100+ 3 times this summer so far.
Stay cool!
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Posted on July 28th, 2010 by Mickey Ferguson
Our high temperatures for today look to be a little cooler than what we’ve experienced of late. Average highs for this time of year for Birmingham are right at 91-degrees, and that’s what our forecast high is this afternoon. Don’t get used to the milder weather. In just a few days our temps are expected to soar close to 100-degrees along with “feels like” temps close to 110-degrees. Of course the month of August is knocking on our door…traditionally one of the steamiest months of the year. Look for a slight chance of rainfall for today, about a 40-percent chance for Thursday. Friday through the weekend will likely be dry along with the stifling heat.
Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather
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Posted on July 28th, 2010 by Josh Johnson
…not much going on in the Atlantic basin right now, in what was forecast by many to be an exceptionally active hurricane season. It’s my personal philosophy to not issue seasonal hurricane forecasts – I have found that even the best seasonal projections are often inaccurate and generally out of the scope of Alabama/Southest weather…I try to focus on individual storms – they impact people and property much more – and leave the seasonal stuff up to those who study global patterns more exclusively.
But, I would caution you – it’s been quiet yet, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have an active season. Things typically don’t get really cranked up until August and September, and both of those months, if active, could more than make up for a quiet July.
Unless, however, THIS continues:
The yellow and orange colors show the extent of dry air over the eastern Atlantic. This is known as the SAL – Saharan Air Layer – and is dry air that originates over the African continent. This dry air keeps a lid on tropical development, and has been known to ruin some of those seasonal hurricane forecasts.
Right now, the SAL is extensive, meaning very little development. However, as we transition into August and September, its possible that the SAL could diminish, allowing for some very active weeks and months ahead.
Stay tuned!
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Posted on July 27th, 2010 by James-Paul Dice
Posted on July 27th, 2010 by James-Paul Dice
Showers and thunderstorms will continue to track northeast across Central Alabama through the early evening hours. The storms should remain below severe limits, but expect frequent cloud to ground lightning. and heavy rain. Most of the activity should diminish after sunset. The thunderstorm coverage will not be as extensive tonight as last night.
It will remain partly cloudy tonight with lows in the lower 70s. It will be sunny Wednesday morning with a chance again of scattered storms during the afternoon. Highs are expected to reach the mid 90s. An upper-level ridge across the Southeast should keep temperatures well above average this week. The average high is 91 degrees.
In the longer term, the forecast looks hotter and a bit drier for the weekend. Highs will reach the upper 90s by Friday and Saturday. We might get lucky enough to get some drier and more comfortable air in place by next week.
James-Paul Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
james.dice@wbrc.com
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Posted on July 27th, 2010 by Wes Wyatt
We’re monitoring a good coverage of thunderstorms this afternoon. The heaviest rainfall is associated with storms located over Hale, Sumter, and Marengo Counties. Elsewhere, we’re monitoring more widely scattered downpours over central and eastern Alabama, mainly south of I-20. One of the main hazards out there today will continue to be the dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. Across the region, there is lots of moisture being channeled northward around a high pressure ridge building into Alabama. Scattered thunderstorms will be possible tonight, especially during the evening, and during the day tomorrow. The high pressure ridge building in will have more of an influence by Thursday and Friday, with fewer thunderstorms and hotter temperatures. Highs on Thursday and Friday will reach the middle to upper 90s.
Wes Wyatt
Fox 6 Meteorologist
wwyatt@wbrc.com
Twitter: weswyattweather
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