The Last Day of August
REST OF THIS WEEK: We are going to see more sun than clouds, with hot temperatures as highs will be in the mid 90s through Friday. We continue to have easterly flow across the state, and that is allowing for somewhat drier air into the state, which is really limiting our rain chances. A few very isolated storms are certainly possible, but don’t count on seeing heat relief in the form of rain today or the next few days. By Friday, an upper trough will approach Alabama from the north, and will allow drier air to drop in from the north. Showers look very unlikely with the change, and the dew points will come down by Friday with lower humidity during the day, and slightly cooler nights setting up a very nice weekend of weather in Alabama.
HURRICANE GASTON: Continues to spin in the Central Atlantic, and is no threat to the U.S. but could cause issues in the Azores. The latest update from the has the well-defined eye of Hurricane Gaston was located near latitude 33.4 North, longitude 50.2 West. Gaston is moving toward the northeast near 9 mph (15 km/h). An east-northeastward or northeastward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds remain near 120 mph with higher gusts. Gaston is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in strength is expected today, but weakening should begin tonight or early Thursday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 956 mb (28.23 inches).
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 8: The center of Tropical Depression Eight was located near latitude 34.8 North, longitude 74.3 West. The depression is moving toward the northeast near 5 mph. This general motion with an increase in forward speed is forecast during the next day or so. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is still possible and the depression could become a tropical storm later today. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1011 mb (29.86 inches).
TROPICAL DEPRESSION 9: Getting better organized as thunderstorm activity has developed around this system, and we are likely about to get a a named storm. Latest update had the center the center of Tropical Depression Nine located near latitude 24.5 North, longitude 88.1 West. The depression is moving toward the north near 2 mph. A north-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected to begin later today, and a turn toward the northeast is forecast tonight. On the forecast track, the center of the tropical cyclone will approach the northwest Florida coast on Thursday afternoon. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today, and could be near hurricane strength by the time landfall occurs. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches). The NHC track has the center making landfall near the Big Bend of Florida. The main issue with the system is rain for the Florida peninsula, as well as dangerous surf/rip tides. The system is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches over much of the Florida peninsula through Friday morning, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible. This rainfall may cause flooding and flash flooding.
ELSEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC: A weak area of low pressure, associated with a tropical wave, is located over the far eastern Atlantic near the Cabo Verde Islands. Environmental conditions are expected to become a little more favorable for some gradual development of this system by this weekend while it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph over the tropical Atlantic.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND: An upper trough over the eastern U.S. will help to pull down drier, continental air, setting up some pretty nice weather for the holiday weekend. Sunny days, fair cooler nights, and lower humidity. Highs will be in the lower 90s, with lows in the 60s. Still a lot of summer left, but I think we are rounding the corner on summer 2016 and the hottest temperatures are behind us.
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Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
Ryan
