Today is considered by many as the first day of summer, and boy it feels like it.
High temperatures have combined with high humidity levels to bring the “feels like” temperature to more than 100 degrees this afternoon in many parts of the state, according to the National Weather Service.
Air temperatures have climbed into the low to mid-90s. Combine that with dew points in the mid- to even upper 70s and you’ve got the recipe for some pretty miserable heat.
Here are some heat index values from around the state as of 4 p.m. Friday from the NWS:
Auburn: 100
Birmingham: 100
Demopolis: 101
Dothan: 101
Evergreen: 105
Huntsville: 104
Marion: 105
Mobile: 103
Montgomery: 103
Muscle Shoals: 104
Selma: 102
Troy: 103
Tuscaloosa: 109
The hottest heat index values were expected in southwest Alabama. According to the weather service in Mobile it could feel like 109 degrees in some spots there by this afternoon.
The weather service has issued a heat advisory for Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Escambia, Covington, Mobile and Baldwin counties. It was expanded at 12:20 p.m. to include Choctaw and Wilcox counties.
It will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham followed suit around lunchtime, issuing its own heat advisory for part of central Alabama:
It will also be in effect until 7 p.m.
The rest of the state won’t get off much easier, either. Heat index values could climb to 100 degrees or higher all the way into north Alabama, according to forecasters.
The hot temperatures are thanks to a ridge of high pressure that’s edging into the region. It may stick around for a few days while increasing temperatures and lowering rain chances -- although some storms will be possible later today and into tonight.
More of the same will be possible Saturday and possibly on Sunday as well, according to the weather service.