West Alabama Monday Briefing

The big story for Monday, August 28, 2023, is the tropics. Idalia is expected to become a major hurricane before making landfall along the Big Bend area of Florida early Wednesday morning. Sustained winds of some 115mph are possible. But the National Weather Service is predicting minimal impact on the State of Alabama.

The Wiregrass Region could receive higher wind gusts and heavy rainfall at times and dangerous rip currents along the Alabama coast will be the major impact on our state.

Evacuations from the sunshine state could fill hotels and motels from Montgomery southward over the next few days.

Of more concern for West Alabama is the chance for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. There is a Marginal (level 1 out of 5) Risk for this afternoon and evening for all of West and Central Alabama. Threats include damaging winds up to 60 mph and quarter size hail.

But high heat is not far away. A Heat Advisory is in effect today from 11 AM through 6 PM for Marengo County and counties to the south and southeast. Max heat indices of up to 108 degrees are possible in the advisory area. Take extra precautions if working or spending time outdoors.

The Forecast:

Today: Rain chances increase by the afternoon today with periods of showers and thunderstorms expected. A few storms may be severe with damaging winds and quarter size hail. Daytime high temperatures will range from the middle 80s northwest to the middle 90s southeast.

Tonight: Elevated shower and thunderstorm chances continue into tonight, decreasing after midnight. A few storms may become strong to severe in the evening with damaging winds and quarter size hail. Overnight low temperatures will range from the upper 60s to the lower 70s.

Tuesday: Elevated shower and thunderstorm chances develop again by the afternoon on Tuesday, with the best chances in the east half of Central Alabama. Daytime high temperatures will range from the lower 80s northwest to the lower 90s southeast.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday - Friday: Rain chances each day 20-30% with highs in the mid to upper 80s and lows in the mid to upper 60s.

Saturday Game Day: 20% chance of rain during the day but clearing by night with a high in the upper 80s and low near 70.

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Topping the News:

Idalia is expected to become a hurricane later today and a major hurricane by the time it makes landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida early Wednesday. But Gary Goggins of the National Weather Service in Birmingham is forecasting minimal impact on Alabama other than higher wind gusts and rain in the Wiregrass Region of SE Alabama. Dangerous rip currents will be a threat along the Florida panhandle and Alabama coasts.

After a month of medical treatments, Alabama Jr. U-S Senator Katie Britt is back on the job. She appeared over the weekend in her hometown of Enterprise after doctors determined in July that Britt’s medical issue was a result of swelling of a facial nerve, which they say was most likely caused by a post-viral infection.

A death investigation is underway on the Mississippi State University campus in Starkville after a male student was found dead in a parked vehicle on campus yesterday afternoon. An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death.

Former local TV journalist Chelsea Barton-Kelly will be the new marketing content manager for Visit Tuscaloosa as of this Thursday. The native of Marion, in Perry County, spent 12 years with the local television station.

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission will be in court once again today. Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge James Anderson will hear arguments over whether the Commission violated the Open Meetings Act at its last meeting.

Shots were fired in two locations in Tuscaloosa over the weekend. One near McDonald-Hughes Center on Tuscaloosa’s West End left dozens of shell casings. A second shooting a short time later on 29^th also occurred. No wounds were reported from either incident.

Tuscaloosa is one of several cities in Alabama that will be receiving "Baby Boxes". They are the result of a mother in Dothan having her baby and then putting it in a dumpster to die. The mother was charged with Capital Murder.

A Baby Box is a safety device provided for under the state's Safe Haven Law and legally permits a mother in crisis to safely, securely, and anonymously surrender if they are unable to care for their newborn. A Baby Box is installed in an exterior wall of a designated fire station or hospital.

The boxes are being funded by an anonymous donor and supplied through Kids to Love Foundation.

In Sports:

Game Week is here for the University of Alabama. Bama Coach Nick Saban will conduct his 1^st game week press conference later today. The burning question he will no doubt be asked is who will be the starting QB?

The Tide plays Middle Tennessee at 6:30 Saturday night. After a year's absence due to cancer, the Voice of the Crimson Tide, Eli Gold, will be back behind the microphone on the Crimson Tide Sports Network on 95.3 The Bear and Tide 100.9.

Week Zero games saw Vanderbilt win their opener against Hawaii in Nashville Saturday night, 35-28. The rest of the SEC is in action this week.