West Alabama Friday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama, It is Friday August 2, 2024.

A Heat Advisory remains in effect for all of West Alabama through 9:00 tonight. The Heat Index (feels like temperature) will hover near 107 degrees. Limited your exposure outdoors, stay hydrated and DO NOT leave people or pets in unattended vehicles.

A few marginally severe storms will be possible across the northern half of Central Alabama (including West Alabama) from 2 PM through 10 PM. The main concern will be strong damaging winds. This should help cool things down a bit even if it is muggy.

There is some good weather news today, according to the latest National Hurricane Center computer (spaghetti) models, it looks like that tropical wave, Invest 97L, moving into Cuba today, will have its potential path into the Gulf of Mexico blocked by a cold front moving south over Alabama.

Once the storm reaches the warm 85-to-86-degree water of the gulf it could blow up into a strong tropical storm or weak hurricane. Current thinking, however, is the system will remain weak and ride the west coast of Florida coming ashore somewhere from Tampa into the Big Bend Region of Florida as a tropical storm.

The Forecast:

Today

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 74.

Next Week:

Showers and thunderstorm Monday afternoon, otherwise, the rest of the week will be sunny and mostly clear. Highs in the upper 90s and lows in the mid 70s.

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Topping the News:

The Walker County Jail is reeling from new court proceedings. Joshua Jones, a former Walker County corrections officer has agreed to a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney's office in connection with the January 2023 death of Tony Mitchell while in sheriff’s office custody. More charges are expected to be filed against five unnamed co-conspirators.

UAB will open its Medical Center West in the Bessemer/McCalla area tomorrow. The old hospital now located in Southwest Bessemer will move more than 100 patients into the new facility. The hospital will draw more doctors' offices and businesses to the area, improving property values in surrounding neighborhoods according to development officials. However, some area residents have expressed concern about increased traffic congestion.

UAB Med center West has nine floors, 200 beds and 12 operating rooms.

A preliminary environmental study involving bats will begin tomorrow in advance of building the planned six-lane Woolsey Finnell Bridge. ALDOT's John D. McWilliams explains the study is required by federal law to protect the bats from harm, whenever federal funds are involved in the project. The survey will be conducted 7am to 7pm.

Construction on the new bridge is scheduled to begin next spring but will not impact traffic flow.

Tuscaloosa City and County teachers are putting the final touches on preparedness for the beginning of school next week. The teachers have been taking professional development training in advance of the school bell ringing.

11,000 city students report next Wednesday while 19,000 county students begin classes Thursday.

First Semester Tuscaloosa City Schools calendar:

Aug. 7: Students return for first day of classes for the fall semester

Aug. 15: High school open house

Aug. 20: Elementary open house

Aug. 22: Middle school open house

Aug. 29: Open house at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy

Sept. 2: Schools closed for Labor Day

Oct. 14: Staff planning day; no classes for students

Nov. 11: Schools closed for Veterans Day

Nov. 25-29: School closed for Thanksgiving

Dec. 20: End of the semester

First Semester Tuscaloosa County Schools calendar:

Aug. 8: Students return for first day of classes for the fall semester

Sept. 2: Schools closed for Labor Day

Oct. 14-15: Fall break; no classes for students

Oct. 15: Teacher work day

Nov. 11: Schools closed for Veterans Day

Nov. 25-29: School closed for Thanksgiving

Dec. 20: End of the semester

Tuscaloosa residents who have an overtime parking ticket still have an opportunity to purchase school supplies in lieu of paying tickets. All received school supplies will be donated to the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education. Participants may drop off their school supplies by August 9 at Tuscaloosa Municipal Court at 2122 6th Street.

Click for Details: https://www.tuscaloosa.com/posts/2024/07/10/tuscaloosa-to-accept-school-supply-donations-for-overtime-parking-ticket-fines

Topping Sports News:

Alabama's young defensive backs have been getting a lot of attention over the first two days of fall (I use that term loosely) pre-season practice.

Checkout Practice Video from UA Athletics: Day Two Practice

Alabama's redshirt junior defensive lineman is a candidate for a breakout season in Tuscaloosa in 2024. However, it's his off-the-field work that's caused him to be added to the watchlist of college football's premier award for community service.

2024 Paris Olympics Team Medal Totals: