Horrifyingly Warm Weather for Halloween
It was a weekend full of sunshine and record warmth, as all the observation sites through out Central Alabama set new records both Saturday and Sunday. For Sunday, the record high was 89° at Montgomery. More record warmth is expected today and for the first of November, before we begin to see slightly cooler, but still well above average temps.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN: The most horrifying holiday of the year, will be a hot one for us all. Expect another day with abundant sunshine and very warm temps as highs should be in the upper 80s, with a few 90s expected across South Alabama, and yes it should be another day of record warmth. A reminder that the record high for Montgomery today 90° set back in 1984, and we should at least tie that or perhaps surpass that today. Of course, rain is not in the forecast, which is good news for those trick-or-treaters out there this evening. By the times those ghosts and goblins begin making their rounds, temperatures should be in the 70s.
DROUGHT IMPACTS: The fire danger risk remains extremely high across Central Alabama due to the severe drought conditions and above normal daytime temperatures. The Alabama Forestry Commission wants us to remind you of the Drought Emergency Declaration which bans outside burning across virtually all of Central Alabama. During the past thirty days over one thousand wildfires have occurred over Alabama and have burned over twelve thousand acres. Several active wildfires were still in progress according to the Alabama Forestry Commission. Some of the wildfires have been started along area highways and interstates from sparks generated by things such as chains dragging on the pavement or tires coming apart with sparks being generated from exposed tire rims.
Lake levels are continuing to slowly decline at most major reservoirs due to the persistent dry conditions and low streamflows. Voluntary water restrictions have been implemented by many water boards across Central Alabama and mandatory restrictions have been implemented in some areas. The Birmingham Water Works Board reports that it will begin to apply a surcharge for excessive water use. The surcharge will go into effect on November 19th.
HELLO NOVEMBER: The new month will start off the way October ends, dry and very warm as highs will remain in the 80s through midweek. An area of high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic will produce easterly flow by Wednesday and we should begin to see slightly cooler temps, but still above average. Average highs this time of year are closer to the 70°. Later this week, a frontal boundary bring us the hope a few scattered showers Friday, but with limited moisture, there is just not much hope for organized rain. By the weekend, we will replace the high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic, with a high pressure behind the front over the Midwest, which will bring us cooler weather. Highs should return to the 70s, with those overnight lows back closer to 50° as well.
WEEKEND WEATHER: Dry and very nice weather for the first weekend of November. Comfortable temps with those upper 70s over 40s, and no threat of rain both Saturday and Sunday.
NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN: The long range models still show the next chance of widespread rain arrives the second week of November. These are still suggesting that a system approaches the state around the 11th or 12th, but still way too early to be counting on that…until then, the long dry spell continues…
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Have a Happy Halloween!
Ryan
