BIRMINGHAM, AL — Wednesday brings a mostly dry day across Alabama with scattered showers and storms expected to reach western areas by late afternoon, but the bigger story is the dangerous heat building through the weekend, with heat index values forecast to reach 103 degrees Saturday and a dangerous 106 degrees Sunday as the next level of summer heat takes over the state.
Scattered Activity Reaches Western Counties Wednesday Afternoon
Most of Alabama will remain dry through the bulk of Wednesday, with highs climbing into the middle 80s under partly cloudy skies. Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop across western areas by late afternoon, with forecast radar showing activity near Aliceville, Tuscaloosa, Eutaw, Greensboro, and Demopolis around 6 PM as a disturbance moves through.
This disturbance will continue tracking eastward overnight, keeping a few scattered showers and storms possible further east toward the Interstate 65 corridor through the late evening hours. No organized severe weather is expected, though lightning and slow-moving cells capable of producing localized heavy rain warrant monitoring through the night.
Thursday Brings Continued Scattered Storm Chances
The disturbance continues across the state Thursday, maintaining scattered shower and storm chances through the morning hours before activity becomes more limited by late afternoon, with greatest coverage shifting toward East Alabama. Highs Thursday climb into the upper 80s under partly to mostly cloudy skies, keeping conditions somewhat unsettled before the pattern transitions dramatically heading into the weekend.
Dangerous Heat Takes Over Through the Weekend and Beyond
The real story begins Friday as a powerful upper ridge locks in across the Deep South, driving heat index values to dangerous levels. Feels-like temperatures are projected to reach 95 degrees Thursday, 99 degrees Friday, 103 degrees Saturday, and a dangerous 106 degrees Sunday as the heat peaks heading into the new week.
Highs will reach the low 90s through the weekend with mid-90s possible next week, while humidity keeps the air feeling oppressively muggy throughout. Heat index values are expected to approach 105 degrees by the middle of next week, potentially triggering the first heat advisories of the 2026 season across portions of the state…