Intense heat, air quality alerts and storms hit Alabama this week

Video above: The latest forecast from WVTM 13 meteorologists.Intense heat, air quality alerts and a chance for storms across central Alabama are all a part of the rest of the week leading up to the holiday weekend.Blazing heat will build into Alabama this week, with near-record temperatures in the 100s and a heat index close to 110 degrees. Some heavy summer storms will break the heat wave by the first of next week.Interactive radar: Alabama weather coverage from WVTM 13Birmingham last had more than four days above 100 degrees in 2010, when multiple heat waves combined to add up 10 total days above the mark that year. In 2019 and 2012, there were only four days above 100 degrees.Central Alabama also rarely experiences a heat index value as high as 110 degrees: only nine times since the heat index has been measured. The highest heat index on record for Birmingham came in 1999 at 117 degrees.Thursday, Friday and Saturday have been designated Impact Days by WVTM 13 meteorologists.Impact Days are designed to let you know when the weather may get rough but is not necessarily extreme or life-threatening. Weather | Radar | Hurricanes | Traffic | uLocal | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram WednesdayA code orange air quality alert is in effect for two counties in central Alabama Wednesday.Alerts A code orange air quality alert is in effect for Jefferson and Shelby counties Wednesday.Code Orange means the ground-level ozone concentration becomes unhealthy for sensitive groups like those with severe allergies, asthma, or lung disease. Ground-level ozone forms when sunlight interacts with air pollution in the air close to the ground. Ozone is good in the upper atmosphere but is not good down on the ground because it irritates the lungs, leading to breathing trouble.TimeframeThe code orange air quality alert is in effect all day Wednesday.Main ThreatsThe Alabama Department of Environmental Management recommends that sensitive groups limit time outside.It is also advised to reduce ground-level ozone by minimizing automobile exhaust, avoiding gas-powered lawn work and decreasing emissions.Be aware: Current weather alerts in your areaThursdayThere is a code orange air quality alert, a chance for storms and intense heat in the triple digits Thursday. It has been designated an Impact Day by WVTM 13 meteorologists.AlertsAn excessive heat warning is in effect for Cullman County from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Friday.An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Friday for the following counties:MarionLamarFayetteWinstonWalkerBlountPickensTuscaloosaJeffersonShelbyGreeneHaleBibbChiltonA code orange air quality alert is in effect for Jefferson and Shelby counties Thursday.Code Orange means the ground-level ozone concentration becomes unhealthy for sensitive groups like those with severe allergies, asthma, or lung disease. TimeframeStay inside during the hottest parts of the day. The excessive heat warnings begin at 11 a.m. If you need to be outside, try to schedule it for times when the sun is not at its peak and stay hydrated. Remain in the shade if possible. Main ThreatsHeat exhaustion and heat stroke can cause hospitalization, heat illnesses and death. It is important to know the signs of these incidents and seek help if needed. Video below: WVTM 13 meteorologist Brylee Brown explains heat indexThe Alabama Department of Environmental Management recommends that sensitive groups limit time outside due to air quality alerts.Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeFridayA second day in the triple digits with another chance for storms hits central Alabama Friday. Friday has been designated an Impact Day by WVTM 13 meteorologists.AlertsAn excessive heat warning is in effect for Cullman County until 8 p.m. Friday.An excessive heat warning is in effect until 9 p.m. Friday for the following counties:MarionLamarFayetteWinstonWalkerBlountPickensTuscaloosaJeffersonShelbyGreeneHaleBibbChilton TimeframeAvoid going outside or in direct sunlight if possible, especially during the hottest parts of the day. If you have to be outside, wear loose clothing and stay hydrated. The heat brings a chance for possible scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. At this point, WVTM 13 meteorologists said it's hard to forecast their exact location.Main ThreatsHeat exhaustion and heat stroke can cause hospitalization, heat illnesses and death. It is important to know the signs of these incidents and seek help if needed. Can't see this graphic? Click here.Storms could bring some heavy wind gusts and lightning to the area.Share with us: Upload your photos and videos via uLocalSaturdayThe third day of intense heat in the triple digits with possible storms blazes central Alabama to begin the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Saturday has been designated an Impact Day by WVTM 13 meteorologists. TimeframeEven though Fourth of July festivities have begun, try to avoid being outside during the heat of the day. Stay hydrated - avoid caffeine, sugary drinks and alcohol. The heat brings a chance for possible scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. At this point, WVTM 13 meteorologists said it's hard to forecast their exact location. Main ThreatsHeat exhaustion and heat stroke can cause hospitalization, heat illnesses and death. It is important to know the signs of these incidents and seek help if needed. Storms could bring some heavy wind gusts and lightning to the area.Download and turn on weather alerts on the WVTM 13 app to know if lightning is in your area if you are in the water during the holiday weekend.WVTM 13 On The Go: Download our app for freeThe rest of the weekThe ridge setting off the heat wave does not have the classic strength of one 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.Stay updated on the latest weather updates with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.