Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL

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048 FXUS64 KBMX 190556 AFDBMX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 1256 AM CDT Sun May 19 2024 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Monday) Issued at 701 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2024 Thunderstorms developed along a low level instability gradient and the influence of an upper level low northwest. These storms produced a nice cold pool that migrated south and east. Early this evening, the remaining storms were located between Birmingham and Montgomery and stretched east to west. These storms will continue for another hour or two before diminishing as they migrate south and east. The storms have the potential of producing some small hail and gust winds. It appears the severe threat will be limited but will leave the Marginal Risk going until 9 pm south. As the upper trough/low continues eastward overnight, drier air will begin filtering in. Temperatures are expected to be cooler than last night. The combination of the rain the past 24-48 hours and skies decreasing in clouds and cooler temps will lead to some patchy fog. The fog appears to have the best chance of affecting visibility will be east central areas along and south of I-20. Lows in the 60s. Sunday will feature much drier conditions with northerly flow at 700mb. A surface ridge over the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas will build southwestward by Sunday afternoon. What appears to be a "back door" surface boundary will creep westward into our far eastern counties, with some upper level shortwave energy to work with. A few isolated showers and perhaps a storm can`t be ruled out across the far east as a result. Otherwise, everyone else will be dry and warm as upper heights begin to rise. Mid to upper 80s will be common for highs by Sunday afternoon. 56/GDG/75 && .LONG TERM... (Sunday night through next Friday) Issued at 153 PM CDT SAT MAY 18 2024 Central Alabama will transition into a drier and warmer pattern next week as an upper ridge builds across the Central Gulf Coast region. Highs will reach the upper 80s to near 90 Tuesday and Wednesday. A northern stream short wave trough will push a weak cold front to near the Al/TN state line on Thursday. This will increase rain chances across north Alabama Thursday and Friday, with better chances for rain on Friday. 58/rose && .AVIATION...
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(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1251 AM CDT SUN MAY 19 2024 Rain has exited the area recently, but moisture levels are very high. Low clouds and patchy fog are developing as a result, and it is unfortunately disorganized. Either way, I`ve mainly advertised IFR conditions through at least 13z at all Central Alabama terminals. This includes cigs 002-004 and vis as low as 1SM. There is potential for vis below 1SM, so will monitor obs. Conditions begin to improve by ~14z, and VFR conditions are forecast through the afternoon with northerly winds less than 10 kts. 40/Sizemore
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&& .FIRE WEATHER... Scattered to numerous showers and storms will continue across Central Alabama through the evening hours, mainly south of I-20 after sunset. Areas of fog after midnight due to rain and moist low level conditions. A slight chance of storms across the far eastern counties on Sunday. Min RH values on Sunday 50-55 percent. Light 20ft winds overnight become north 4-6 mph on Sunday. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
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Gadsden 84 61 88 60 / 10 0 0 0 Anniston 83 62 88 62 / 20 10 0 0 Birmingham 85 65 88 64 / 10 10 0 0 Tuscaloosa 86 65 89 66 / 0 0 0 0 Calera 84 65 87 64 / 10 0 0 0 Auburn 81 64 85 64 / 20 0 0 0 Montgomery 84 65 87 64 / 10 10 0 0 Troy 83 64 86 63 / 10 0 10 0
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&& .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...75 LONG TERM....58/rose AVIATION...40/Sizemore