US Weekly Rainfall Departure		US Weekly Temperature Departure

Issued at 755 PM CDT THU APR 18 2024

Due to clouds and convection in Mississippi, two areas of
instability develop over central Alabama this afternoon and early
evening. One was close to Sumter and Marengo Counties, while the
other was the northeast third of the area. The convection was
moving mainly slowly east southeast. Therefore, had to rearrange
the pops for this evening. The northeast area has since moved into
Georgia and diminished somewhat, while the highest pops will be
south and southwest. After midnight, there may still be some
activity north and left a chance in. The 00z BMX Raob still has
noticable dry air below 700mb, and this will continue to limit
overall activity too. Therefore, the updates consists of the pop
update and a temperature trend adjustment. Low clouds and patchy
fog are expected to develop overnight with lows in the 60s. The
scattered convection still remain possible Friday and the
discussion below holds.

75

Previous short-term discussion:
(This afternoon through Friday) 
Issued at 1247 PM CDT THU APR 18 2024

A broad area of low-level ridging is centered over the Central and 
Eastern Gulf of Mexico while lower amplitude mid-level ridging is 
also present over the Eastern CONUS, producing westerly flow aloft. 
Warm conditions are expected this afternoon with a mix of sun and 
clouds. Highs will reach the mid 80s. There will be an opportunity 
for some storms late today and into the evening hours as an embedded 
shortwave moves from the Midsouth region and across the Tennessee 
Valley. Some thunderstorms associated with this feature are already 
ongoing near the Mississippi River, but that activity has really 
struggled to maintain intensity with eastward extent as we still 
have residual dry air in the mid-levels. Some deeper moisture is 
confined near the shortwave, so expect the thunderstorms to 
eventually move into western portions of the area early this evening 
as the shortwave moves east, but instability will be on the decline 
by that point. Any strong storms moving through Mississippi should 
be on a weakening trend as they reach Central Alabama, so expect
the activity to be sub-severe.

Meanwhile, a surface low is forecast to moves towards the Ohio 
Valley tonight dragging a cold front across the Lower MS River 
Valley. Convection along the southern sections of the front will 
really struggle as it moves further into an unfavorable environment 
dominated by the Gulf ridge and lacking in deep moisture. As such, 
expect another round of decaying showers and a few storms to affect 
primarily the far northern portions of the area after midnight 
before diminishing by sunrise. Patchy fog appears likely tomorrow 
morning, especially in the south. Will monitor trends to see if a 
Dense Fog Advisory is needed. The frontal boundary will be near the 
I-20 corridor by tomorrow afternoon. As temperatures warm into the 
lower to mid 80s, some isolated to scattered thunderstorms will 
develop. Despite MUCAPE ranging from 2000-3000 J/kg along the
surface boundary, thunderstorm growth is expected to struggle 
through the dry air, limiting coverage, intensity, and longevity, 
but gusty thunderstorm winds will be possible in a few instances.

86/Martin

Alabama Forecast Discussion (NWS)
National Ag. Weather Outlook, International Ag. Weather Summary

Current Surface Map, [2nd Source TWC]

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Click here for UKAWC Point Agricultural, Lawn & Garden Forecast/Outlook in case of corrupt tables.

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Regional Hourly Observations For SUMTER County
800 PM CDT THU APR 18 2024

WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA
  
CITY           SKY/WX    TMP DP  RH WIND       PRES   REMARKS
TUSCALOOSA     CLOUDY    71  69  93 S10       30.04S TC  22           
DEMOPOLIS      CLOUDY    70  69  97 CALM      30.06F TC  21           

Current Temperatures, Dewpoint, RH, Wind, Regional Obs, Surface 4-Panel

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Current Agricultural Weather Conditions in Alabama
Based on observations at 800pm CDT, Thursday April 18, 2024

Across Alabama...temperatures are near 74 degrees north, near 73 degrees central, and near 74 degrees south. Current sky conditions are mostly cloudy north, cloudy central, and mostly cloudy south. In the north, relative humidity is near 78%, and the dew point is near 67 degrees. In the central part of the state, relative humidity is near 75%, and the dew point is near 65 degrees. In the south, relative humidity is near 87%, and the dew point is near 70 degrees. Winds are from the south at 8 mph north, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Winds are from the southeast at 5 mph central, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Winds are from the southwest at 6 mph south, where conditions are favorable for spraying. Based on current available observations, the highest temperature is 76 degrees at Dothan. The lowest temperature is 70 degrees at Shelby County Airport and Montgomery.

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Current NOWCAST not available:
Nowcasts are not issued routinely during fair weather. Only when
precipitation or other significant weather is occuring in this county will these
forecasts be issued. Currently, there is no short term forecast in effect.

U.S. Radar Map, All NWS Radars (In near-real time), Current Livestock Heat Stress Index (LSI), Current Wind Chill Map

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Hazardous Weather Outlook For SUMTER County, AL

212 AM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

 DAY ONE  Outlook through Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

 DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN  Friday through Wednesday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

 SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT  

Activation of storm spotters and emergency management is not
expected at this time.

NWS Severe Weather Map , Convective Outlook

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7-Day Forecast For SUMTER County, Alabama
842 PM CDT Thu Apr 18 2024

TONIGHT
Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely early this evening, then a chance of showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent.

FRIDAY
Patchy fog in the morning. Partly sunny with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. Northwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

SATURDAY
Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the morning, then a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Cooler with highs in the mid 70s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.

SATURDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening, then showers likely after midnight. Cooler with lows in the lower 50s. North winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

SUNDAY
Showers, mainly in the morning. Cooler with highs around 60. Chance of rain 80 percent.

SUNDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Lows in the mid 40s.

MONDAY
Sunny. Not as cool with highs in the lower 70s.

MONDAY NIGHT
Clear. Lows in the mid 40s.

TUESDAY
Sunny. Highs around 80.

TUESDAY NIGHT
Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

WEDNESDAY
Mostly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 20 percent.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

THURSDAY
Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

12-48 Hr Surface Forecast Maps, TWC 4-Panel Surface Forecast, Fire Danger, Day 1 Precip, Day 2 Precip, Days 1-5 Precip, Severe Weather Pot.-Day 1, Day 2

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Medium & Long Range Outlook For Alabama

                              ALABAMA                                                                     
                 ---------------------------------------------
                 6 TO 10 DAY  8 TO 14 DAY   30 DAY    90 DAY 
                   APR 24-28 APR 26-MAY 2    JUN       JUN-AUG                      
                 -----------  -----------  --------  ---------
   Temperature:                                                                    
 Precipitation:                                                                    

....  Medium and long range outlooks provided by NCEP/K. Thomas Priddy

5 Day Rainfall Forecast, 6 to 10 Day , 8 to 14 Day , Text, 30-Day Outook, 90-Day Outook, 120-Day Outlook

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Almanac Information

Thursday April 18, 2024 the 109th Day of Year

---------------------------------------------------
SUN
Declination 11.360000
Distance 0.999719 AU
Rise 07:13 EDT Set 20:22 EDT
Transit Meridian 13:47 EDT
Civil Twilight Begins 06:48 EDT Ends 20:47 EDT

Calculations made for central point in the state.
Time in ET -- and will vary due to location and
elevation -- Priddy

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Historical Weather And Climate Facts For Today

APRIL 18TH
HISTORIC WEATHER EVENTS
...1880...
More than two dozen tornadoes were reported from Kansas and Arkansas to
Wisconsin and Michigan. More than 100 persons were killed, including 65
persons at Marshfield MO. (David Ludlum)
...1906...
A severe earthquake shook San Francisco, and unusual easterly winds spread
fires destroying the city. (David Ludlum)
...1944...
California experienced its worst hailstorm of record. Damage mounted to two
million dollars as two consecutive storms devastated the Sacramento Valley
destroying the fruit crop. (The Weather Channel)
...1957...
A dust devil near Dracut MA lifted a small child three feet into the air,
and rolled two other children on the ground. Fortunately none of the three
were hurt. The dust devil was accompanied by a loud whistling sound as it
moved westward. (The Weather Channel)
...1970...
Rapid City SD received a record 22 inches of snow in 24 hours. (17th-18th)
(The Weather Channel)


Ag Weather Center, Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky