Ryan Dugger

The new week will be kicking off with the continuation of our warm and dry trend as most afternoons host abundant sunshine and highs in the upper 80s. Nights of limited cloud cover will provide speedy cooling as lows reach the lower and middle 60s. The development of a frontal boundary towards the end of the week is granting us slight rain chances.

Color The Weather 09-29-23

More sunshine will be sneaking through the clouds today as dry air from the Mid-Atlantic settles over our area and much of the Southeast. Limited cloud cover will provide warm afternoons and cool mornings this weekend and much of next week. Rain chances will be slim to none for the next seven days as our region faces moderate drought conditions.

This phenomenon is commonly known as “heat lightning”, which occurs often within distant thunderstorms during the summer. But that elusive lightning turns out to be more fiction than fact.

The participants represented 7 local schools and competed in areas of scholastic achievement, fitness, self-expression, talent, and interview.

Monday will mark the last day of the hot and dry pattern we have been experiencing this weekend. While the remaining dry air and sunshine will boost temperatures to the lower 90s again, moisture from the West and the Gulf will meet to squeeze the dry air out of southern Alabama before Tuesday morning. The resulting heavy cloud cover and scattered shower and thunderstorm activity mid-week will limit highs to the middle 80s. Heavy cloud cover will start fading Friday as drier air inches back towards the Wiregrass.

Limited cloud cover and lower humidity supplied a pleasantly warm afternoon for much of the Wiregrass today with high temperatures between the middle and upper 80s. We’ll be cool tonight under clear skies again as temperatures sink to the lower 60s. Dry air and highs in the lower 90s will stretch into the start of next week until rain-making moisture returns from the Gulf on Tuesday. Heavier cloud cover and isolated showers and thunderstorms mid-week will ease highs back to the middle and upper 80s.

A single-vehicle crash occurred east of Blue Springs along Alabama 10 at 11 a.m. Saturday morning, claiming the life of an Ariton man.

Drier air is moving into the Wiregrass right on cue this evening! As batches of rain move east into Georgia, skies are clearing over our area to reveal some sunshine before nightfall. Plenty of sunshine is expected tomorrow between a few thin clouds. The rest of the week is looking to be clearer and drier as mornings in the 60s and afternoons in the upper 80s and lower 90s occur each day.

Sufficient moisture along a frontal boundary to our west provided the fuel for scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the Wiregrass this afternoon. Showers can linger into tomorrow morning as the boundary inches through the region. Drier air will start clearing skies tomorrow afternoon, supplying morning temperatures in the middle to upper 60s and plenty of sunshine for hot afternoons next week.

We started the week off with sunny skies and hot temperatures in the lower to middle 90s this afternoon. Increasing moisture from the Gulf can provide stray showers over a few areas tomorrow and Tuesday. Scattered shower and thunderstorm coverage will likely return Thursday and Friday as frontal boundaries track through the area. Drier air and better cloud cover next weekend will supply pleasant nights with temperatures in the middle to upper 60s, and warm afternoons with temperatures in the upper 80s.

While the heat and drier air were felt by most of the Wiregrass this afternoon, a few showers and thunderstorms were able to sneak into the easternmost counties, providing brief breaks from temperatures in the lower 90s. Remaining rain and clouds will fade quickly after sunset, making way for mostly clear conditions tonight. Creeping pockets of moisture from the South and East can produce isolated showers throughout the region tomorrow and in the days after. Better rain coverage will likely return mid-week as a frontal boundary dives south through our area. Early sunshine will raise temperatures to the lower and middle 90s each afternoon.

Dew points in the middle 60s and highs in the lower 90s provided a sunny and warm holiday for the Wiregrass! Skies will remain mostly clear through mid-week, giving plenty of space for the Sun to continue heating the region to the middle 90s by Wednesday. The return of moisture by Thursday will likely spawn isolated showers each afternoon and evening through the rest of the week. However, temperatures in the middle and upper 90s next weekend can make the afternoons feel hot and humid.

Welcome back sunshine! Drier air from the East is settling into our area, encouraging moisture and clouds over the Wiregrass to migrate west. While a few clouds can stick around tomorrow, plenty of sunshine will provide a warm Labor Day as temperatures rise to the lower 90s. The sunshine will continue for most of the week as temperatures gradually rise to the middle 90s by Wednesday. The return of moisture and temperatures between the middle and upper 90s next weekend will make areas of the Wiregrass feel hot and humid. Shower and thunderstorm activity can reappear by Friday.

Isolated showers hid among the cloudy skies over the Wiregrass today. Showers will fade and some sunshine can peek through the clouds before sunset as drier air from the East moves into the area. Lone showers can form over select areas before clouds start noticeably clearing tomorrow, making way for mostly sunny skies on Labor Day and throughout most of next week. More sunshine will help temperatures climb back to the lower 90s tomorrow and keep climbing to the middle and upper 90s by next weekend as moisture returns to the region.

The Wiregrass received some much needed rain today as a line of showers and thunderstorms evolved throughout the region this afternoon. Lingering showers to the South can bleed into our area throughout the evening while most areas will be left mostly cloudy into tomorrow. While similar wide coverage is not expected Saturday, isolated showers and thunderstorms can extend into our area from the Southwest tomorrow morning and afternoon. Skies will start to clear Sunday as drier air from the East moves in, allowing more sunshine to raise temperatures slightly to the lower 90s for the rest of the Labor Day weekend. Mostly sunny skies are expected to last for the rest of the week after Monday while temperatures gradually rise to the middle and upper 90s.

TS Idalia continues to gain energy as it creeps northeast towards the Gulf of Mexico, where high sea surface temperatures can assemble Idalia into a significant hurricane. While current forecast models have been directing it northeast into Apalachee Bay, subtle changes in the winds can steer the storm more westward, generating greater impacts for our area. Stay vigilant of Idalia and be prepared for action before the storm makes landfall early Wednesday.

Another day of temperatures in the lower 100s is in store for tomorrow before the heat over the Wiregrass loosens its grip for next week. Isolated showers and thunderstorms tomorrow can provide cooling for some areas while better rain coverage Monday and Tuesday reduces temperatures to the middle and lower 90s. Tropical Depression 10 continues to organize before heading north into the abundantly warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where it can strengthen into a significant hurricane.

Blakley police officers responded to sounds of gunfire around the area of N. Church Street at 1:30 a.m. this morning.

More of the Wiregrass felt the heat returning this afternoon as dew points reached between the upper 60s and lower 70s, making the high temperatures in the middle 90s feel more like the lower 100s. A few brief showers and thunderstorms cooled off select locations in our eastern counties this evening as winds from the Atlantic delivered pockets of moisture and energy. The rain will fade rapidly as the sun sets, leaving behind mostly clear skies tonight. Tomorrow will be our last day of high temperatures around the middle 90s for awhile as the hot ring of high pressure to our west extends towards the Southeast. High temperatures will range between the upper 90s and lower 100s throughout the rest of the week. Partly cloudy skies will develop each afternoon as sufficient moisture for shower development starts returning to the area Friday. Isolated thunderstorms can make a reappearance in the Wiregrass next Sunday.

The Wiregrass experienced another day of mostly sunny skies and drier heat as dew points in the upper 60s helped limit 100° feel-like temperatures to only a few locations. The next few days can become a little hotter as temperatures reach the upper 90s tomorrow. A disorganized tropical low in the Gulf of Mexico can throw pockets of moisture into our area Sunday and Monday, which can spawn a few lone showers over some areas. However, they will not provide a break from the heat this week as high temperatures break into the lower 100s on Tuesday. Some areas this week can even experience temperatures above our August record of 102°! Highs will hover around the lower 100s into next weekend. Chances for showers return Friday and Saturday.

The Troy Police Department responded to a call concerning shots fired at the Arch Apartments along East Academy Street at 1:30 a.m. this morning.

Another near normal day was experienced by the Wiregrass as high temperatures stuck around the middle 90s! However, dew point temperatures in the upper 60s in some areas encouraged feel-like temperatures to break back into the lower 100s. The frontal boundary that passed through earlier this week continues to keep showers and thunderstorms localized in Florida and the rest of the Southeast dry. While small pockets of moisture can cause a few lone showers Sunday and Monday, our region will remain dry and slightly humid into next week as high temperatures shift from the upper 90s to the lower 100s. Some areas next Wednesday and Thursday can break the Wiregrass’ all-time record of 102°!

The heat and humidity stuck around the Wiregrass today, even after yesterday’s cooling showers and thunderstorms. The lack of cloud cover this afternoon allowed lots of sunshine that raised temperatures to the upper 90s while feel-like temperatures hovered around 110°! Isolated showers and thunderstorms will likely cool some areas off before they quickly fade after sunset, leaving behind mostly cloudy skies tonight. Another day of intense heat and pop-up showers and thunderstorms is expected tomorrow while Tuesday holds the better chance for scattered rain coverage. Drier air will move in behind Tuesday’s rain, providing clearer skies and high temperatures in the middle 90s by Wednesday. The dry pattern will continue until moisture begins moving back into the region next weekend. A few showers can occur over the Wiregrass next Saturday and Sunday.

Several thousand Houston County, AL residents experienced power outages after a severe thunderstorm passed through this evening.

Intense heat and strong storms have made for an active weather weekend. Much of the Southeast was under an excessive heat warning today as feel-like temperatures reached above 115° in some areas! The sufficient heat and moisture at the surface prompted the quick development of showers and thunderstorms that fed energy off of each other to produce heavy rain, lightning, and severe wind gusts between 65-75 mph in a couple of counties. Showers and a few storms will linger but start to weaken past sunset, eventually leaving behind partly cloudy skies for the overnight. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s tomorrow afternoon before similar shower and thunderstorm activity cools parts of the region. Hot temperatures and isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely each afternoon and evening until Wednesday as drier air dips into the Southeast. Skies will then be mostly sunny while high temperatures hover around the middle 90s until next Saturday when moisture begins returning to the Wiregrass.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms provided sporadically spread cooling for much of the Wiregrass today as temperatures dropped from the upper 90s to between the upper 70s and middle 80s. Some clouds will linger over the area tonight but skies will become clearer by early tomorrow morning, giving plenty of space for the sunshine to heat the region quickly. While isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely to cool select locations tomorrow, those that remain dry can experience a hot & muggy afternoon as temperatures rise to the upper 90s. The return of better rain coverage Tuesday will provide some relief from the heat during the mid-week, but temperatures will slowly climb back to the middle and upper 90s by next weekend. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely each afternoon and evening after Tuesday.

A dry bubble seemed to form over much of the Wiregrass today as scattered showers and thunderstorms stayed west and moved through Florida towards the Gulf Coast. However, cool wind gusts from these downpours flowed in to provide relief from the heat this evening as temperatures lowered between the upper 70s and middle 80s before sunset. Partly cloudy skies tonight will give way to better rain coverage for south-central Alabama tomorrow as energy and moisture is directed around the ridge of high pressure to the West. While isolated PM showers and thunderstorms are expected for much of the week ahead, wider rain activity can be seen again Tuesday. Early afternoon heating and midday cool-downs from showers and thunderstorms will maintain high temperatures around the middle 90s.

The Wiregrass experienced thorough afternoon cooling as steady lines of showers and thunderstorms quickly moved through Alabama today. Some areas experienced thunderstorms that produced strong wind gusts up to 50-60 mph. Skies will become calmer and clearer as the showers and storms continue south, leading to mostly sunny skies tomorrow and Tuesday. While the rain cooled us off today, temperatures will remain between the middle and upper 90s throughout the week. Slight rain chances reappear Wednesday as isolated showers can spawn over some locations, but they will not provide wide and lasting relief from the heat. Slightly more rain coverage is expected next weekend.

Certain locations where abundant heat and moisture met created the spotty showers and storms today, some of them exhibiting severe wind gusts. The rain and clouds will die along with the heat as the sun sets tonight, leaving behind mostly clear skies. Temperatures will rise to the middle 90s tomorrow to meet a weak frontal boundary from the North, providing the fuel and forcing needed to develop scattered showers and thunderstorms between the afternoon and evening. However, the rain will fail to cool the Wiregrass next week as high temperatures reach the upper 90s by Tuesday. Slight rain chances will redevelop mid-week that can provide afternoon cooling for some locations, but the region will remain hot into next weekend as high temperatures range between the middle and upper 90s.

High temperatures were gradually on the rise this afternoon compared to yesterday as some areas reached the middle 90s thanks to the limited cloud cover over the region. While the lack of moisture kept feel-like temperatures from breaking into the triple digits for most places, hotter air from the West will keep making them rise past the 90s tomorrow as the air slowly expands towards the Southeast. Small pockets of moisture can develop that provide isolated PM showers over certain locations throughout the rest of the week. However, the afternoons will continue heating up as high temperatures reach the upper 90s next week, along with the return of chances for isolated showers and thunderstorms.

Another considerably cooler afternoon was experienced today as feel-like temperatures remained in the middle 90s for the majority of the Wiregrass! The lack of moisture and clouds will allow heat to escape quickly, making temperatures dip back to the lower 70s tonight. Higher pressure from the West will sneak into the Southeast this week, causing high temperatures to gradually rise into the middle 90s by Wednesday and into the upper 90s by the start of next week. Small chances of isolated PM showers will start Thursday and last through the weekend as pockets of deep moisture can spawn among the hot air.

Spotty showers and thunderstorms forming along the sluggish frontal boundary are providing a cooler evening to some areas while others remain dry throughout the Wiregrass. A few showers may linger into the late evening hours but will clear out quickly as drier air takes a hold of the region overnight. Skies will be mostly clear tomorrow but a few showers can form over parts of our area during the afternoon. Things will likely remain dry until late Wednesday when small pockets of moisture could start sneaking back into southern Alabama, encouraging the development of isolated showers and thunderstorms through the rest of the week. Next Sunday holds a better chance for the return of wider rain coverage.

A break from the heat is finally being felt throughout the Wiregrass as scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day have kept temperatures around the upper 70s and lower 80s. Showers and storms have been weakening as they reach our area this evening but isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely later tonight. Skies will remain mostly cloudy into tomorrow as scattered showers and thunderstorms develop again in the late afternoon. Drier air will settle in behind the frontal boundary Sunday night, causing dry and hot conditions on Monday and Tuesday. Some moisture can redevelop in some areas within the drier air by the end of next week, encouraging a slight chance of pop-up showers and thunderstorms.

The heat held onto the Wiregrass with a tight grip as we experienced feel-like temperatures around 110 degrees this afternoon! Luckily, the return of showers and thunderstorms will provide a cooler weekend. Showers and thunderstorms from the system to the North will become more isolated as they reach our area tonight, providing some areas relief from the heat while others remain dry. Better scattered shower and thunderstorm coverage will develop in the PM hours on Saturday and Sunday as a boundary travels south towards Florida. Drier air behind the frontal boundary will make rain chances drop early next week as temperatures gradually rise from the weekend’s upper 80s and lower 90s to the middle 90s again. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms returns at the end of next week.

The early morning hours of Tuesday, July 11, 2023 serve as a prime example of how a forecast can change in an instant.

A couple more rounds of isolated showers and thunderstorms will cool some areas more quickly than others this evening. The rain will subside overnight as drier air moves in from the North, causing fewer clouds and temperatures to rise into the middle 90s tomorrow. The edges of a western high pressure system will likely extend itself east over the Wiregrass, influencing temperatures to continue rising into the upper 90s by Wednesday. Returning moisture next weekend will raise the chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms, and drop high temperatures back down to the lower 90s.

Showers and a few severe thunderstorms swept quickly through the Wiregrass this past afternoon, causing power outages and downed trees in some areas. A slight chance of rain remains over the region tonight as storms decay after sunset. As a front approaches us from the North, showers and storms can start spawning again as early as 7 A.M. Sunday morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely Sunday afternoon and evening as the front passes through. Drier air will settle in the area on Monday and Tuesday, bringing about partly cloudy skies and high temperatures in the high 90s through the end of the week. A break from the heat is in store next weekend as chances for showers and thunderstorms rise again.

Multiple rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms are impacting the Wiregrass this evening, some of them exhibiting gusty winds similar to yesterday’s storms. As the sun sets, storms will weaken and become more isolated during the late night hours. As the sun rises tomorrow, scattered showers and thunderstorms will redevelop and persist into the early afternoon as high temperatures reach between the high 80s and low 90s. Showers and storms will weaken and die tomorrow evening, leaving behind drier air that limits our rain chances Tuesday and Wednesday. Sufficient moisture for isolated shower and thunderstorm development returns to our area at the end of the week as high temperatures slightly rise into the middle 90s.

A wet, cooler evening is in store for the Wiregrass as scattered showers and thunderstorms drop temperatures into the high 70s and low 80s. However, these showers and storms will become more isolated as the sun sets. Tomorrow holds a slight severe weather risk where scattered thunderstorms can produce damaging wind gusts. Tomorrow’s showers and storms can last into late Sunday night and early Monday morning. We will see our typical slight chances of popcorn showers and thunderstorms return Monday afternoon as high temperatures gradually rise to the middle 90s towards the end of the week.

The air remains hot and humid in the Wiregrass, which are the right ingredients for afternoon showers and thunderstorms to continue developing this weekend and during the week ahead. Sunday and Monday hold the best chance for scattered shower and thunderstorm development while popcorn showers and storms will likely occur through Friday. High temperatures will start inching back into the middle 90s by Thursday as lows stay in the middle 70s.

Independence Day holds a slightly better chance for popcorn showers and thunderstorms during the midday hours. As the sun sets, lingering showers and thunderstorms will die out and leave behind partly cloudy skies, just in time for fireworks! Tomorrow and Thursday maintain our best chance for scattered thunderstorm development as high temperatures reach the low 90s, cooler than the temperatures reached last week. The typical summertime pattern of afternoon isolated showers and thunderstorms, and highs in the lower to middle 90s is expected to last through the weekend.

Oppressive heat starts to subside as the high pressure system over the Southeast weakens and moves East. Moisture will continue to migrate into the Wiregrass area early this week, fueling shower and thunderstorm development for the days ahead. A slight chance of isolated thundershowers is present on July 4th, but they are expected to clear in time for fireworks Tuesday night. Wednesday and Thursday maintain the best chances for scattered thunderstorms while temperatures throughout the week will lie in the low 90s.

Color The Weather 07-03-23

High temperatures will dip into the middle 90s Sunday, then into the low 90s for the rest of the week as isolated showers and thunderstorms provide afternoon cooling to the Wiregrass area. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible the afternoon of July 4th, but skies will clear that evening. Wednesday and Thursday hold the best chance for shower and thunderstorm development while next weekend’s afternoons return to a pop-up pattern.