BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The weather has been picture-perfect for the Magic City Classic and Alabama homecoming parades this morning. Dry air heats up quickly, and we are already seeing temperatures flirt near 80°F before noon. We could be close to tying record high temperatures this afternoon, but we will likely end up a few degrees shy of breaking them. We are watching a cold front to our north that is forecast to move through Alabama later today. Ahead of the front, temperatures will likely warm into the mid 80s with a few spots south of I-20 in the upper 80s. Winds will likely come from the northwest at 5-10 mph. We could see gusts up to 15-20 mph. The weather is looking great if you plan on attending the Magic City Classic game or attending the Alabama homecoming game this afternoon. Just make sure you grab the hat and sunglasses. Kickoff temperatures will likely start in the mid 80s and cool into the upper 70s by the end of the games. If you have any evening plans, we should remain dry with a mostly clear sky. Temperatures are forecast to cool into the mid 70s by 7 p.m. CDT.
Isolated shower possible Sunday: We will likely start Sunday out partly cloudy with temperatures in the upper 50s. There’s a small chance we could see a few showers early Sunday morning along and north of Highway 278. By the afternoon hours, an isolated shower can’t be ruled out in east Alabama. If you see a few drops tomorrow, consider yourself lucky! We haven’t recorded any rain for most of the month. If we don’t see any rain tomorrow in Birmingham or Anniston, we will likely record the driest October on record for both cities. The majority of us will likely end up partly cloudy and dry with highs approaching 80°F. Upper 70s will be likely if you live north of I-20. Temperatures could briefly warm into the lower 80s south of I-20 Sunday afternoon. Winds should come from the north tomorrow at 5-10 mph.
Dry conditions continue next week: I don’t see any signs for rainfall through Wednesday of next week. Temperatures should end up a little cooler, but we will remain above average. Our average high temperature for late October is in the lower 70s. I think we will remain several degrees above average with highs in the lower 80s next week. Overnight lows will also remain mild and above average with temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
Next Big Thing: Long-range models hint that a cold front could approach Alabama by next Thursday and Friday. There’s a chance we could see a few showers in northwest Alabama during the evening hours of Halloween. Confidence on our rain chances remains low at this point. I would likely plan for a mostly dry Halloween with highs in the lower 80s with a mostly cloudy sky. Temperatures Thursday evening will likely remain in the 70s for trick-or-treaters. We could see a few showers along and north of I-20/59 Friday afternoon. I increased the rain chance to 20% with highs in the upper 70s. The mild weather pattern will likely continue into the first weekend of November. I don’t see any signs of significant rainfall or cooler temperatures over the next seven days.
Tropical Update: The good news is that the Atlantic remains quiet. We aren’t watching any areas for possible development over the next seven days. I think we’ll need to monitor the Caribbean by next weekend for a low chance for something to develop in that region. Confidence remains low on anything forming. Hurricane season continues through the month of November. Normally it is very rare for anything tropical to impact the Southeast in November. Cold fronts and areas of high pressure normally deflect tropical systems away from us…