New Day, Same Forecast
LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE OCTOBER TO ME: A chilly start to our Wednesday, but under sky filled with sun and not a cloud in sight, temperatures will be able to make it into lower to mid 80s this afternoon. It will be oh so nice and just a wonderful Wednesday across the entire state. Dew points are well down into the 40s, showing very dry air remains in place, meaning low humidity levels as well as ideal fire weather for us. A fire alert is in effect for essentially the northern two-thirds of the state. Please, no outdoor burning until we get some rain.
RAIN NOT ON THE WAY: October is statistically our driest month of the year in Alabama, and this October will only confirm that as there is just not much hope any any significant rain, at least through early in the next week. Some evidence the upper ridge might weaken toward the end of next week, but way too early to know if that actually happens. Unfortunately the GFS doesn’t give much hope for a big rain event around here for the next ten days.
TEMPERATURE TRENDS: Since rain is not in the forecast, the forecast is pretty much strictly temperature driven. The very dry air in place across the state heats up and cools off more effectively and that is why we are going to see a wide diurnal temperature range. For the most part, temperatures will continue to be somewhat above average for this time of year. Highs the next few days will range from the mid to upp 80s, with some 90s returning for parts of the state by Friday. Lows will respond the same way with upper 40s and lower 50s through tomorrow, followed by mid and upper 50s to end the work week.
NICOLE A HURRICANE AGAIN: At 500 AM AST, the large and distinct eye of Hurricane Nicole was located near latitude 27.9 North, longitude 67.0 West. Nicole is moving toward the north-northwest near 7 mph, but a turn toward the north with an increase in forward speed is expected later today. An additional increase in forward speed with a
turn toward the north-northeast is forecast on Thursday. On the forecast track, the core of Hurricane Nicole will near Bermuda on Thursday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible during the next 36 hours, and Nicole could be near major hurricane strength by later today. The estimated minimum central pressure is 970 mb (28.65 inches).
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The forecast will remain dry and temperatures will remain mild and several degrees above above average with highs in the mid 80s, with lows in the upper 50s.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Clear for the high school games Friday night with temperatures falling from the low 70s at kickoff into the mid 60s by the fourth quarter.
Alabama will play at Tennessee in Knoxville Saturday afternoon (2:30p CT kickoff)… expect a cloudy periods with a few scattered showers possible. About 76 at kickoff, falling to near 70 by the final whistle.
Auburn has the week off.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Ryan
