First Alert Weather: Feels-like temps reaching the triple digits in the days ahead

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - First Alert AccuTrack shows a mostly clear sky across Central Alabama tonight as the ridge of high pressure to our west builds eastward. Temperatures will only fall into the upper 60s and low 70s overnight with winds light shifting from the north to the east.

Code Orange Air Quality Alert: The Alabama Department of Environment Management has issued a Code Orange Air quality Alert for Jefferson and Shelby Counties again on Thursday. Ground level ozone concentrations are forecast to reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children and people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses are most at risk under these conditions. You’ll want to limit your time outdoors during the late morning and afternoon hours.

First Alert Weather Days Thursday through Saturday: The big story for tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday is the dangerous heat levels. The dome of high pressure responsible for the extreme heat in Mexico and Texas will build to the east. It will increase our air temperatures and also bring in humidity from the Gulf. The combination of the two will likely result in dangerous heat levels for the next three days. It is why we have declared three First Alert Weather Days for Thursday, Friday and Saturday due to excessive heat and humidity. These conditions can be dangerous. High temperatures tomorrow could climb into the mid to upper 90s for areas along and east of I-65. Parts of west Alabama could see highs near 100°F-102°F. When you factor in the humidity, it could feel like it is 105°F-115°F. Friday may end up as the hottest day of the week. Highs could approach 100°F with a heat index of 108°F-115°F. Saturday will likely end up with highs in the upper 90s with a heat index around 105°F -110°F. If you plan on working outside, do so early in the morning hours. Stay hydrated and take several breaks. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities from 11 a.m. CDT - 5 p.m. CDT. Make sure you wear light color clothing. I also recommend walking your pets on grassy surfaces and during the morning hours. Pavement temperatures could climb into the 140°F -160°F range which could easily burn their paws.

Excessive Heat Warning Thursday and Friday: An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued for our far western counties Thursday including Sumter, Pickens, Lamar, and Marion Counties tomorrow, June 29 starting at 11 a.m. Heat index values could exceed 110°F. More counties will be added to the Excessive Heat Warning on Friday. For areas along and west of I-65, the Excessive Heat Warning begins at 11 a.m. Friday and expires at 9 p.m. It is very possible that the Excessive Heat Warning will be extended into Saturday.

Heat Advisory: A Heat Advisory has been issued for Jefferson, Winston, Walker, Fayette, Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale, Bibb, Chilton, Shelby, Etowah, and Cullman Counties on Thursday starting at 11 a.m. The heat index in the Heat Advisory tomorrow could climb around 105°F. It could feel like it is near 110°F Friday afternoon, when a Heat Advisory will still be in effect across far east Alabama.

Rain Chances: Some of our models are hinting at disturbances to the north sweeping into Alabama over the next couple of days. The issue is that each model is inconsistent and showing different solutions. I think high pressure will remain strong limiting our rain chances tomorrow. We’ll lean on the dry side with a 20% chance for rain Thursday and a 30% chance for storms Friday. With plenty of heat across Central Alabama, storms will be capable of becoming strong and severe if they form. The main threats will be damaging winds, large hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rain. Our best chance to see rain on Friday may not occur until the evening and overnight hours. You’ll want to check the forecast frequently throughout the week for changes in rain chances. If anything changes, we will let you know on television and through the First Alert Weather app.

Unsettled Weather Next Week: If you are hoping for higher chances of rain and cooler temperatures, you’ll appreciate the forecast for next week. We will likely see more cloud cover and higher rain chances starting Sunday and continuing into next week. We’ll likely see highs in the mid 90s Sunday afternoon with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s for most of next week. Rain and storm chances could occur at any point during the day. We’ll have to monitor for storm clusters developing to our north and sweeping to the south early next week. Severe weather can’t be ruled out. Damaging winds, hail, and frequent lightning will be the main threats. A lot of people will be out and about for the Fourth of July holiday, so please monitor the forecasts. Remember that when thunder roars, go indoors.

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