Dothan and the wider Wiregrass region are transitioning to drier conditions and warmer temperatures this week, following recent "soaking weather" experienced Sunday and Monday. However, residents are advised to keep an eye on forecasts for the upcoming weekend, as significant rain chances are expected to return due to a potential tropical system developing in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Chief Meteorologist David Paul and Meteorologist Ryan Dugger.
On Tuesday, the Wiregrass can expect mostly cloudy skies, with some sunshine breaking through, particularly in the northern parts of the region. A stray shower remains possible in the south and east. High temperatures today will be near 78 degrees. Winds will be out of the northeast at 5 to 15 miles per hour, with a 20 percent chance of rain for the day. As Tuesday transitions into tonight, conditions are forecast to be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low near 64 degrees. Northeast winds are expected to lighten slightly to 5 to 10 miles per hour, and the chance of rain falls to a minimal 5 percent.
The shift toward clearer weather continues into Wednesday. The forecast calls for mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions across the Wiregrass. High temperatures are projected to climb to near 82 degrees, representing a noticeable increase from Tuesday. Northeast winds will remain light, between 5 and 10 miles per hour, and the chance of rain stays low at 5 percent. This trend of rising temperatures and diminishing rain chances is set to extend into Thursday. On Thursday, the region is expected to experience mostly cloudy skies, primarily with high clouds. The low temperature for Thursday night is forecast to be around 61 degrees, with the high during the day reaching approximately 83 degrees. The chance of rain on Thursday remains very low at 5 percent.
The mid-week period of drier and warmer weather is projected to change course by the end of the work week. Chief Meteorologist David Paul and Meteorologist Ryan Dugger indicate that rain chances will "rocket upwards again" on Friday and Saturday. This increase is specifically "attached to a potential tropical system in the Gulf," which meteorologists will be monitoring closely as the weekend approaches. For Friday, the forecast suggests partly sunny skies with a few showers developing late in the day. Temperatures are expected to see a low near 65 degrees and a high near 80 degrees, accompanied by a 30 percent chance of rain. While the source material highlights the significant increase in rain chances for Saturday, it does not provide specific daily temperature or wind forecasts for that day, only emphasizing the heightened risk for tropical impacts.
Looking ahead to the following Sunday, the Wiregrass is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low temperature of 69 degrees and a high reaching 77 degrees, and a 10 percent chance of rain. By the next Monday, conditions are forecast to become mostly sunny, with temperatures dropping to a low of 63 degrees and climbing to a high of 83 degrees. The chance of rain for Monday will be a minimal 5 percent.
For those heading to the coast, Tuesday's conditions on coastal lakes and bays are expected to feature moderate chop. Winds will be from the northeast at 10 to 20 knots, and seas offshore are anticipated to be between 2 and 4 feet.
