Sure looks like we have seen the last of freezing temperatures until sometime much later this year in the fall. The average date of the last freeze in Birmingham is March 23, but we have seen freezing temperatures as late as April 23. But, looking at the overall upper air pattern, we see no significant chance of morning temperatures near freezing around here for the next five to ten days.
We can have some chilly mornings during the month of May; the coldest on record here during May is 36 degrees recorded on May 4, 1971. But, the big story in May is good summer preview we typically get, with several periods of hot and humid weather. While we have never seen triple digits in May, the mercury did reach 99 degrees in Birmingham on May 28. 1962, and May 29, 1898. We should also point out that May is still considered tornado season in Alabama, although activity tends to slow down somewhat. By the time we get to June, the stronger upper air winds are too far north for tornadoes here across the deep south.
And, as we get into June, we begin watching the tropical waters as hurricane season begins. While the peak of the season comes in August and September, we can see a few decent early season systems in the Gulf of Mexico in June and July.
The summer heat peaks in Alabama in late July and early August, when the average high is 91 and the average low is 70. Of course, triple digit heat is possible at times, and even with highs in the 90s the heat index can easily reach 100 degrees because of the high humidity across Alabama.
Looking ahead to the fall season (my favorite time of the year), the average date of the first freeze here is November 8, but the earliest freeze on record came on October 18, 1948. Fall sure seems like a long way away!
We can have some chilly mornings during the month of May; the coldest on record here during May is 36 degrees recorded on May 4, 1971. But, the big story in May is good summer preview we typically get, with several periods of hot and humid weather. While we have never seen triple digits in May, the mercury did reach 99 degrees in Birmingham on May 28. 1962, and May 29, 1898. We should also point out that May is still considered tornado season in Alabama, although activity tends to slow down somewhat. By the time we get to June, the stronger upper air winds are too far north for tornadoes here across the deep south.
And, as we get into June, we begin watching the tropical waters as hurricane season begins. While the peak of the season comes in August and September, we can see a few decent early season systems in the Gulf of Mexico in June and July.
The summer heat peaks in Alabama in late July and early August, when the average high is 91 and the average low is 70. Of course, triple digit heat is possible at times, and even with highs in the 90s the heat index can easily reach 100 degrees because of the high humidity across Alabama.
Looking ahead to the fall season (my favorite time of the year), the average date of the first freeze here is November 8, but the earliest freeze on record came on October 18, 1948. Fall sure seems like a long way away!
on April 11, 2005, 8:58 pm
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