MOBILE, Ala. — Heat and humidity are making a dramatic return to the Gulf Coast forecast this weekend, following one last comfortable evening on Friday, according to a forecast issued Thursday.
The Last Cool Night
Friday night was expected to be the last comfortable night for a while, with mostly clear skies and lows in the upper 60s inland and low 70s near the coast.
Saturday: Mid-90s and a Heat Index in the Low 100s
Saturday brings a significant shift in the weather pattern. Temperatures will climb into the mid-90s by afternoon, but it is the humidity that will make the difference.
Heat index values are expected to reach the low 100s, making conditions feel considerably hotter than the air temperature alone would suggest.
The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to estimate what the body actually experiences. The mechanism is straightforward: the body cools primarily through evaporation of sweat, and when the air already holds a great deal of moisture, that evaporation slows. A 95-degree day at high humidity places substantially more stress on the body than a 95-degree day in dry air.
Sunday: More of the Same, Plus Isolated Storms
The oppressive pattern continues into Sunday, with temperatures in the low to mid-90s inland. Some inland locations could reach the upper 90s. Heat index values will again climb into the low 100s.
While Saturday stays mostly dry, isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible Sunday.
The Heat Does Not End With the Weekend
Heat index values are expected to remain in the 100 to 103-degree range through the middle of next week. A better chance of scattered storms arrives early next week as the hot pattern persists.
Staying Safe in This Range
Heat index values in the 100 to 103 range fall within the category where heat cramps and heat exhaustion become possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity, and where heat stroke becomes a risk with continued exertion.
Standard guidance applies: limit strenuous outdoor activity to early morning or evening, drink water before feeling thirsty, take breaks in shade or air conditioning, wear light and loose clothing, and check on elderly neighbors and people without reliable air conditioning.
Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. Interior temperatures rise far faster than most people expect, and cracking a window does not meaningfully slow it.
Warning signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and cool clammy skin. Heat stroke — hot dry skin, confusion, a rapid strong pulse, or loss of consciousness — is a medical emergency requiring an immediate call to 911.
Beach Conditions Remain Excellent
For those heading to the coast, beach conditions are expected to be excellent. The UV index will be high, so sunscreen is essential — even on cloudy days.
Rip current risk remains low, making it a safe weekend for water activities.
Beachgoers should still note that conditions can change, and that beach warning flags posted at public access points reflect current conditions rather than a forecast.
Tropical Update
Forecasters are monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic near the Azores, but it remains very far from the United States with no expected impact on local weather.
Mid-September falls within the climatological peak of Atlantic hurricane season, which is why systems anywhere in the basin draw attention even when they pose no threat. A disturbance near the Azores is in the far eastern Atlantic, thousands of miles from the Gulf.
Forecast details reflect conditions as issued Thursday evening and are subject to change. Residents should consult the National Weather Service for current conditions and any heat advisories.