Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Birmingham, AL

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241 FXUS64 KBMX 200859 AFDBMX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL 359 AM CDT Thu Jun 20 2024 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM...
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(Today through Friday) Issued at 359 AM CDT THU JUN 20 2024 A continued low level flow of fresh low dewpoint air will keep central Alabama dry for at least a couple more days. It also doesn`t hurt that we are also still on the southwestern edge of the big upper level ridge that is bringing the heat to many of the population centers in the northeast. While "Alberto" is pretty much a non-factor for our area, there is a tropical wave in the Atlantic that is forecast to scoot across the southern periphery of the upper ridge, and could perhaps spread some showers into south Alabama on Friday. We may eventually need to introduce some small POPs in the far southeastern counties Friday afternoon to account for this. Other than that, not much else to say, except "Play ball!" /61/
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&& .LONG TERM...
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(Friday night through Wednesday) Issued at 359 AM CDT THU JUN 20 2024 A ridge at 500 mb will be located over Alabama on Saturday with weak flow throughout the column. With the absence of slightly cooler easterly flow, the airmass will begin to cook. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s in most areas Saturday afternoon. On Sunday the ridge should retreat westward and amplify, resulting in the development of a trough over the eastern CONUS. Our area will be on the edge of the trough under continental northwesterly flow at 500mb, with westerly low-level flow favoring slightly hotter conditions. Some locations are expected to reach the upper 90s for highs on Sunday. Similar temperatures could continue into Monday and Tuesday as the hot continental flow continues. Weak southeasterly flow should bring an increase in moisture to our southern and eastern counties on Saturday, and this moisture should remain in place on Sunday. Isolated afternoon and evening showers and storms appear possible south of Interstate 20 on both days. Gradual height falls and moistening across the region will result in an uptrend in the coverage of showers and thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, an abundance of moisture and continued height falls, should result in fairly widespread convection and a reduction in temperatures. 87/Grantham
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&& .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1221 AM CDT THU JUN 20 2024 Will continue with VFR forecast through the next 24 hours. Lower than normal dewpoints and lack of any sustained forcing will keep daily convection suppressed and overnight visibilities above 6SM. Basically a wind speed forecast after that, with light to calm conditions at night and around 8-10 kts (perhaps a bit higher at MGM and TOI) during the daylight hours. /61/ && .FIRE WEATHER...
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Rain-free conditions will persist through Friday as easterly winds reinforce a dry airmass. 20 foot winds of 5 to 8 mph are expected on those days before coming very light on Saturday. Afternoon RH values should range from 35 to 45 percent each day through Saturday. A slight increase on moisture could yield a few isolated showers and storms south of Interstate 20.
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&& .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
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Gadsden 92 66 93 68 / 0 0 0 0 Anniston 92 68 93 70 / 0 0 0 0 Birmingham 93 71 95 72 / 0 0 0 0 Tuscaloosa 93 70 95 71 / 0 0 0 0 Calera 93 70 95 72 / 0 0 0 0 Auburn 90 69 92 73 / 0 0 0 0 Montgomery 92 69 94 72 / 0 0 0 0 Troy 91 67 93 70 / 10 0 10 10
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&& .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM.../61/ LONG TERM....87/Grantham AVIATION.../61/