High humidity returns on Tuesday, storm chances on the Fourth of July

Today: The muggy air returns this morning, working its way from east to west with the help of some easterly winds. Highs will reach the middle 90s with mostly sunny skies. The higher humidity will make it feel like it’s close to 100° this afternoon.

Tonight: Skies will be mostly clear tonight with muggy conditions and low temperatures dropping into the middle 70s.

Tomorrow: Partly cloudy skies are expected for our Wednesday as high temperatures remain in the middle 90s. More humid air in place will allow the heat index to climb into the 100-105° range by the afternoon and evening hours. An isolated shower or storm can’t be ruled out during the afternoon.

Looking Ahead: A ridge of high pressure will remain locked over the south-central United States moving into the end of the week. Central Alabama will be placed in a prime position for daily chances of scattered showers and storms each afternoon from Thursday into the weekend. Fourth of July appears to have a less widespread chance of rain compared to Friday and the upcoming weekend. A few afternoon showers and storms will dot radar on Thursday afternoon, but the majority of us will stay dry. Any rain that does form will end around sunset, allowing for the firework shows to go uninterrupted.

Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Beryl reached Category 5 status Monday night, becoming the earliest Category 5 on record in the Atlantic Basin and the second only Category 5 in the month of July since record-keeping began in 1851. This is an unprecedented storm as it barrels its way through the Caribbean. The hurricane is forecast to remain a Category 4 through this evening before slowly weakening to a Category 1 hurricane through Friday as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula. The only impacts Alabama may receive are some rough surf along the Gulf Coast and an increase in moisture next weekend.

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