Is it too soon to be ready for fall? Fall-feeling weather (cooler temperatures, less humidity) typically arrives in Alabama much later than the official first day.
Meteorological fall begins Sept. 1, and astronomical fall will be Sept. 22, or the day of the fall equinox.
What does the weather have in store for Alabama this fall?
The Farmers’ Almanac has issued its fall forecast, and in two words it’s this: Cool and stormy.
The Almanac has Alabama in its Southeast region, which also includes Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Almanac is expecting twice as many cloudy days in October (as opposed to sunny) for the nation as a whole.
The forecast for the U.S. from the Almanac:
* The Northeast is forecast to cool off quickly this fall, and snow will be possible in New England in November.
* Fall “will be frosty and wet” in the Great Lakes and Midwest.
* Temperatures in the North Central region (Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana) “may be downright frigid,” with lots of snowflakes and rain.
* Cool and wet weather is expected in the Northwest.
* The Southwest is expected to get “chilly temperatures and showers” throughout fall.
* Brisk temperatures and plenty of precipitation are called for in other parts of the South, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, and parts of Louisiana.
Some other Almanac forecasts:
* A super moon (the third in a row) is expected to light up the sky on Oct. 17.
* Halloween weather in Alabama is expected to be “clearing, drier for trick-or-treaters.”
* Peak fall foliage dates for Alabama: Oct. 19-Nov. 4.
* “Especially unsettled” weather is expected nationwide in November, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday
* However “clear and dry” weather is expected in the East for Election Day on Nov. 5. However, it could be wet in the Central and Western states.
NOAA hasn’t issued its fall outlook yet. However, the three-month temperature outlook from the Climate Prediction Center (shown at the top of this post) includes a higher probability of above-average temperatures for the first part of the season for Alabama.
Forecasters expect La Nina to influence the global weather pattern through the fall.
Every La Nina is different, but it can shift the storm track northward in the U.S. and has been known to bring drier and warmer weather to parts of Alabama.
La Nina effects usually are more apparent later in the fall and winter months.
Here's how a typical La Nina can affect the weather in the U.S.NOAA
However, La Nina can also impact the Atlantic hurricane season and lead to an increased number of storms.
NOAA is forecasting the rest of the Atlantic hurricane season (which runs through Nov. 30) to be very active, with 17 to 25 named storms.
A summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA's 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.Courtesy NOAA