Another Hot and Dry Day
THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS: Today should be the warmest day for the rest of the week, with lower 90s once again, but unseasonably warm weather will continue the rest of this week as mid to upper 80s are likely tomorrow and Friday. Nights will remain calm, quiet, and pleasant with upper 50s and 60s expected. The only bad news is no rain is in the forecast.
HURRICANE MATTHEW: At 500 AM EDT, the center of Hurricane Matthew was located near latitude 21.1 North, longitude 74.6 West. Matthew is moving toward the north near 10 mph. A turn toward the north-northwest is expected today, followed by a northwest turn tonight. Matthew will be moving across the Bahamas through Thursday, and is expected to be very near the east coast of Florida by Thursday evening. Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph with higher gusts. Matthew is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 962 mb (28.41 inches). Remember, expect surprises from tropical systems, so things could change. All eye along the Southeast Atlantic Coast will need to watch this system as it should impact areas from Florida to the Carolinas late Thursday through Sunday.
HELLO NICOLE: At 500 AM AST, the center of Tropical Storm Nicole was located near latitude 24.3 North, longitude 61.8 West. Nicole is moving toward the west-northwest near 6 mph. A turn toward the northwest is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north by late Thursday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches). This storm will not impact the U.S.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: As Hurricane Matthew passes well to the east of Alabama, a nice northerly flow develops, and will pull down cooler air. Highs drop into lower 80s Saturday and Sunday, with lower 50s possible in many places early Sunday. Sunny days, fair nights as the long dry spell continues.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn will play at Mississippi State Saturday (11:00a CT kickoff)… the sky will be sunny with temperatures rising from 77 at kickoff, to near 81 degrees by the fourth quarter.
Alabama is also on the road; they play Arkansas at Fayetteville Saturday evening (6:00p CT kickoff)… a perfect evening for football with temperatures falling from 67 at kickoff into the 50s by the fourth quarter. The sky will be clear.
FOR NEXT WEEK: A persistence forecast is best and perfectly sums up October weather in Alabama. Expect sunny pleasant days, clear cool nights. No rain opportunity showing up through at least next Friday October 14. Remember October is statistically our driest month of the year, so this long dry spell is nothing unusual, it just seems that way as we have already seen dry conditions leading up to this month.
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Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
Ryan
