BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Happy Friday! It is another warm and dry start to the day with many of us waking up to the upper 60s and lower 70s. The heat will continue this afternoon with temperatures climbing into the low to mid-90s. High temperatures will be roughly 10 degrees above average today. We will see a mostly sunny sky becoming partly cloudy this afternoon with a southwest wind at 5-10 mph. If you are attending the SEC Baseball tournament, we highly recommend sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to protect you from the high UV rays the sun produces. First pitch begins late this afternoon and continues into the evening hours.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: The weekend will remain very hot and dry. We could tie or break record high temperatures as they soar into the mid to upper 90s. Overnight lows will only drop into the upper 60s and lower 70s. The sky will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy with light winds. Please stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activities between 11 a.m-5 p.m. If you have to work outside, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. It is rare to see such a long stretch of 90-plus-degree weather for late May.

WHY IS IT SO HOT: We are remaining hot thanks to a ridge of high pressure hanging around in the Southeast. High pressure brings sinking air to the area which keeps us dry and hot. Storms can’t move into the bubble of high pressure, so it has to move around the Southeast. It explains why areas like the Plains, Midwest and Northeast continue to see rounds and rounds of storms. The storms move around this bubble of high pressure and away from us. We won’t get out of this pattern anytime soon. It is why we are becoming more concerned that drought conditions could worsen. We are already seeing abnormally dry conditions occur along and south of I-20.

HEAT SAFETY: It is important to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the late morning and afternoon hours. If you have to be outside, please take several breaks and drink plenty of water. We also urge pet owners to walk your pet on grassy areas vs concrete/asphalt surfaces where temperatures exceed 110 degrees. Finally, also check the back seat of your car before leaving. We have seen far too many hot car deaths in the country. Beach Forecast: If you are heading to the Gulf Coast this weekend, temperatures will likely soar into the lower 90s. There is a moderate rip current threat over the weekend, so be careful if you are out in the ocean. UV index is extremely high, and you will likely burn within minutes if you don’t wear sunscreen.

NEXT RAIN CHANCE: We look to remain dry through next Wednesday. Models are showing a slight weakness in the ridge of high pressure for the middle part of next week. It could allow some moisture to move in giving us a few showers and storms. We’ll introduce a small rain chance for Thursday. Temperatures could drop into the lower 90s, but we’ll likely warm right back up into the mid-90s by the end of next week. Make sure you download our WBRC First Alert Weather app to receive the latest weather notifications from the WBRC First Alert Weather Team.

Have a fantastic Friday!

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