Warm and dry weather continues to dominate the Deep South as a persistent ridge holds strong. This setup is leading to noticeable swings in temperature, with cool mornings thanks to clear skies and light winds, followed by well above-normal warmth during the afternoons.
By Thursday and Friday things are looking like they may get pretty toasty. There is an outside shot a few folks hit 90 degrees—a rare feat for this late in the season.
Part of the reason for the big swings in temperatures is the dry ground and dry air – when there is less moisture in the air and ground, it doesn’t take as much energy from the sun to warm things up and, conversely, cool things down at night.
Looking ahead to the weekend, a cold front will approach from the north, but it’s expected to stall and weaken before making much of an impact. Rain chances remain low, though a stray shower on Sunday isn’t entirely out of the question. Temperatures could cool slightly over the weekend, particularly in northern areas, before warming back up early next week as the front lifts northward.
Another cold front may approach late next week, but like this weekend’s system, it’s uncertain if it will make it far enough south to bring any meaningful rain to the region.
REGIONAL DAY TO DAY FORECAST
Today: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. North winds around 5 mph.
Tonight: Clear. Lows in the mid 50s. West winds around 5 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable.
Thursday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. North winds around 5 mph, becoming east in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear. Lows in the upper 50s. Light and variable winds.
Friday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Light and variable winds, becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Clear. Lows in the upper 50s.
Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.
Saturday Night: Clear. Lows in the upper 50s.
Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.
Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
Monday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.
Tuesday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.