FIRST ALERT: Unsettled weather for the holiday weekend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - We are tracking a few stragglers AKA lingering storms on our First Alert AccuTrack Satellite and Radar this evening. The more widespread rain and storms are across the southern half of the state, but we’ll continue to see some isolated storms crawling their way northward over the next couple of hours. Activity will wane overnight though, setting us up for a warm and muggy start to Saturday with some patchy fog around.

Weekend Forecast: The unsettled weather pattern will continue going into the weekend. Forecast will be similar to previous days with temperatures starting out in the low to mid 70s. Scattered showers and storms will be possible during the afternoon and evening hours on both days, but it is difficult to determine where and when these storms will form -- nothing unusual for the summertime. We don’t expect a washout, at least! Remember that if you hear thunder or see lightning, you should take shelter and go inside. Rain chances remain around 40-50% over the weekend. Storm chances will be mostly likely between 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., during peak daytime heating. Once the sun sets after 8 p.m., storm coverage should decrease across the area. We are hoping that any firework celebrations over the weekend will remain mostly dry, but we can’t rule out isolated showers. Highs this weekend are forecast to climb into the upper 80s and lower 90s. With muggy conditions around, the feels-like temperatures will likely climb into the upper 90s.

Independence Day Forecast: Monday is shaping up to be a repeat of the weekend forecast. We will likely start out the day with temperatures in the 70s with a partly sunny sky. We’ll hold on to a 30-40% chance for widely scattered showers and storms during the afternoon and early evening hours. Highs are forecast to warm into the lower 90s Monday afternoon with feels like temperatures in the upper 90s if not triple digits. It will definitely be a nice day to enjoy some time at the lake or the pool. Most of the storms that develop Monday should decrease in coverage and intensity after 8 PM. We will likely end up mostly dry for firework celebrations on Monday night. If you want to hang out near Red Mountain for Thunder on the Mountain, plan for a mostly cloudy sky with temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s. We’ll hold on to a 10-20% chance for a stray shower or storm.

Hot and Humid Next Week: Next week’s weather pattern will be typical of early July. We are forecasting highs in the low 90s with overnight lows in the low to mid 70s. Each day will give us a chance of pop-up showers and storms during the heat of the day. Any storm that forms next week could become strong or severe. Main threats will be heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and frequent lightning. It will remain humid next week, so the feels like temperatures could end up in the triple digits. Stay cool!

Tropical Update: Tropical Storm Bonnie formed in the Caribbean today and will make landfall in Nicaragua and Costa Rica this weekend, bringing wet and windy conditions this weekend. The system will like emerge as a hurricane in the Pacific early next week. Meanwhile, we are watching two additional disturbances off the Carolinas and one in the Lesser Antilles, but none look promising at this time for much further tropical development. All in all, no immediate threats to central Alabama, but if you’re vacationing near the Georgia Coast, expect some unsettled weather at least.

Make sure you download the WBRC First Alert Weather App for the latest weather information.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

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