BIRMINGHAM — Slow-moving storms could bring localized flooding to Alabama Wednesday, as another partly to mostly cloudy day features scattered showers and storms returning by early afternoon, with highs climbing into the middle 80s but feels-like temperatures reaching the middle to upper 90s near Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Gadsden.
Slow Storms Raise Localized Flooding Concern
The risk for organized severe storms remains low across Alabama Wednesday, but forecasters caution that some storms will be slow movers, increasing the risk for localized flooding in areas where they linger. Spotty showers and storms are expected to gradually diminish tonight, with overnight lows settling into the 70s.
Storm coverage Wednesday shows scattered activity spanning much of the state, including Cullman, Gadsden, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Alexander City, with additional coverage expected Thursday across similar areas including Hamilton, Oneonta, and Anniston.
Building Heat Through the Weekend
The biggest change heading into the rest of the workweek and weekend will be building heat across Alabama. Highs are expected to return to the low 90s, with heat index values topping 100 degrees beginning Friday. Scattered afternoon and evening storms will continue, offering some relief from the heat, though a pop-up shower or storm can’t be ruled out anywhere Friday through the weekend.
Long Range Points to Hotter, Stormier Pattern
Guidance continues to signal highs in the middle to upper 90s early next week, with isolated afternoon storms. However, as a northwest flow pattern develops aloft, the hotter days could also lead to a more organized risk for storms by the middle of next week.
Gulf Disturbance and Beach Weekend Outlook
Forecasters are also watching an upper-level disturbance over the northeast Gulf, though the chance of tropical development remains very low at this time. For those heading to the beach this weekend, rain chances currently range from around 30 percent at Gulf Shores to 50 percent at Panama City on Saturday, while the Blue Angels air show in Pensacola carries roughly a 30 percent chance of a passing shower or storm…