BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC)- First AccuTrack alert shows mostly clear skies in central Alabama tonight. Although some isolated showers managed to pass earlier today, the rain chances are long gone again. Unfortunately, the spots that saw rain didn’t see enough to put any depth into the drought conditions. Neither Birmingham nor Anniston saw any measurable precipitation with passing showers, so we’re likely still on track for the driest October on record for both cities.

The abnormally dry and warm pattern continues for the next week. Temperatures should only end up slightly cooler than last week, but we’ll still be above average. The average high temperature for late October is in the 70s. I think we’ll stay a few degrees above average with highs in the lower 80s next week. Overnight lows will also remain mild and above average with temperatures in the 50s and 60s.

Next important thing: Long-range models suggest a cold front could approach Alabama by next Thursday and Friday. There’s a chance we’ll see a few showers in northwest Alabama during Halloween evening. I would probably plan for a mostly dry Halloween with highs in the 80s with partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies. Thursday night temperatures will likely stay in the 70s for trick-or-treaters. We could see a few showers along and north of I-20/59 Friday afternoon with highs near 80. The mild weather pattern will likely continue into the first weekend of November. For that matter, we are yet to see any sign of significant precipitation or cooler temperatures in the first week or so of November.

Tropical Update: Although the tropics are quiet for now, the National Hurricane Center now highlights a medium chance of a potential low pressure area developing in the Caribbean late next week. If anything forms, we don’t expect any problems along the Gulf Coast. Hurricane season continues through November. Normally, it’s very rare for anything tropical to hit the Southeast in November. Cold fronts and high pressure areas normally divert tropical systems away from us.

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