Excessive heat and poor air quality make for a rough week of summer weather

Beat the heat! Some of the hottest weather since 2010 steams into Alabama this week with highs over 100°F and a heat index as high as 110-115°F. The only hope for a cooldown comes from a slim chance of some hit-or-miss downpours. Check the video forecast for the latest.CODE ORANGE AIR QUALITY ALERT - WEDNESDAY An Air Quality Alert is in effect for Wednesday, June 28 as increased amounts of ozone reduce the air quality. Unhealthy or sensitive groups are advised to limit time outdoors. More information here: BLISTERING, BLAZING HEAT WAVE AHEADTwelve of twenty-six June days featured cooler-than-usual weather in Central Alabama. The monthly average temperature is slightly below (-0.5°F) the 30-year normal. Throw all of that out the window; it’s about to get hotter: a lot hotter. The first major heat wave of the year and quite possibly the most intense heat wave this decade is already underway. WEDNESDAY Highs in the low 90s today and Monday become mid 90s Wednesday as the intense heat wave extends further from the west. Just a slight chance of rain remains in the forecast for communities in west Alabama though most stay hot and dry. It gets more humid tomorrow, and as temperatures climb to the mid-90s, the heat index gets closer to 100°F. Wind: N 5-10 MPH.NEARING RECORD HEAT THIS WEEKThe last time Birmingham had more than four days above 100°F came in 2010; multiple heat waves combined to add up 10 total days above the century mark. In 2019 and 2012, we count four days above 100°F.Our forecast through the weekend gives us at least three: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.A ridge strong enough to suppress (but not eliminate) isolated afternoon storms pumps some very hot air into the state this week. While some isolated storms may still develop on Thursday and Friday, that ridge’s influence keeps most of us free of significant rainfall through Saturday afternoon. Thursday’s forecast: 101°F with a heat index around 111°F. The record high is 106°F in Birmingham. Friday’s forecast: 103°F with a heat index close to 114°F. Birmingham’s record is 104°F. Saturday’s forecast: 100°F with a heat index around 105°F to 110°F. Birmingham’s record is again 104ׄ°F.Whether we break any records or not, this is a dangerous heat wave. Make sure you hydrate well, stay as cool as possible, and don’t risk heat exhaustion or heat stroke by overdoing it in the hottest part of the day.THE WEEKEND THROUGH INDEPENDENCE DAYThe ridge setting off the heat wave does not have the classic strength of one you might see in August or September, so it starts to erode this weekend into the first part of the week ahead.An active jet stream grinding away the northern side of that ridge helps to fire off several rounds of heavy storms Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Exact timing and placement cannot be known this far in advance, but the situation looks like how this past Sunday played out around Alabama with a few rounds of intense storms bringing hail, strong winds, and frequent lightning.The more scattered storms we get, the more the temperature comes down. At best, it drops us to the upper 80s and lower 90s for highs; at worst, storms would be so few and far between that the heat only backs down to around 95-99°F.A few things to keep in mind about longer-range forecasts: The weather pattern will not change much, but the day-to-day variation in that pattern’s impact on your home, vacation spot, workplace, etc. may change significantly.As we look at Sunday, Monday, and Independence Day next Tuesday, scattered storms and 90s are the norm for Alabama. The questionable part of the forecast is how it will impact a specific point on the map; that won’t be answered for several days.CLICK TO SEE THE 7-DAY FORECAST STAY WEATHER AWAREGet the free WVTM 13 app and turn on the alerts for the latest weather updates in your neighborhood. For the latest Birmingham weather information and central Alabama's certified most accurate forecast, watch WVTM 13 News.Current Weather ConditionsHourly Forecast | 10-Day ForecastInteractive RadarBirmingham SkycamsLive Doppler RadarSign Up For Email Weather AlertsDownload the WVTM 13 AppDon't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.