West Alabama Wednesday Briefing
It is Wednesday, August 9, 2023, but weatherwise it could be just about any day over the past month-plus. The day started out with patchy fog, has moved into high heat and humidity and is headed for an afternoon of strong to severe thunderstorm chances.
Let's break down the weather alerts that are in effect.
The fog burned off around 9:00 this morning but a Heat Advisory is place for both today and tomorrow. A heat index at and above 105-degrees will make it not only uncomfortable outside but also dangerous. Prolonged exposure outdoors can increase your risk for heat related issues, including a heat stroke. If you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade and hydrate regularly.
This afternoon's heat and humidity are expected to combine to charge up strong to severe thunderstorms. There is a Slight (2 in 5) Risk for damaging winds to 60mph, quarter size hail and lightning north of Tuscaloosa. A Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for lesser chances of the same impacts exists to the north of that line.
Tomorrow, there will be a Marginal (1 in 5) Risk for continued severe weather chances north of a line from Geiger in Sumter County to Marion in Perry County.
The Forecast:
Today: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Topping the News:
The new school year in the Tuscaloosa City and County School Systems are underway and today's opening went without any major hitches. Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent Dr. Keri Johnson is urging parents and the public to support their public schools because it has such a positive impact on the community.
ALEA Trooper Sgt. Jeremy Burkett is cautioning motorist to use caution when approaching a stopped school bus. He reminds us that some of the students are very young and may dart in any direction getting on and off school busses. Sgt. Burkett reminds us the law requires all traffic to stop when the red lights are blinking, and the stop sign is deployed on a standing school bus.
A packed house will hear about the state of the Tuscaloosa, Northport and Tuscaloosa County communities today during the annual "State of the Community" program at the Bryant-Conference Center today.
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Northport City Administrator Glenda Webb, and Tuscaloosa County Probate Judge and County Commission Chair Rob Robertson will participate in the presentation.
A woman is still fighting for her life this morning at DCH Regional Medical Center after being shot Monday in the Roshell Park neighborhood in Holt. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is investigating. No arrests have been announced.
In Sports:
It is just 17 days until the first college football game of 2023. 24 days until the Crimson Tide kicks off at Bryant-Denny against Middle Tennesse.
Each year Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban brings in high profile people, mostly from the sports world, to motivate and caution his players. This year legendary former Major League Baseball star Pete Rose met with Saban, his staff and players at The Capstone Tuesday Rose was banned from baseball for illegal gambling activities.
The Crimson Tide Football Team will conduct its first pre-season scrimmage Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Bama opens the new football season Sept. 2nd against Middle Tennessee.
The Atlanta Braves were one out away from extending their losing streak to four games until they scored three runs in the top of the 9th inning, then held off Pittsburgh for an 8-6 road win last night.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association pre-season high school football polls are out, and several area teams are ranked.
Class 6A: Hillcrest is ranked 6th after an 11-1 record last season.
Class 5A: Demopolis is 10th. They were 10-2 last season.
Class 4A: Both Northside (8 and 3 last year) and American Christian (9-3 in 2022) received votes that places them in the top 20.
Class 3A: Gordo is 3rd after an 11-2 record last year.
Class 2A: Tuscaloosa Academy is 5th (10-3 in 2022) and Aliceville is 10th (11-2 last year).
Class 1A: Pickens County is 3rd (11-4 in 2022) and Linden (9-2) is in the top 20.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!
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