BDS LIGHTNING DELAYS: I have done weather support at UA home games for over 15 years. I support the coaching staff/athletic department, and CTSM (Crimson Tide Sports Marketing). I am at every home game. However I am not involved in the decision to call a lightning delay; that is done by University of Alabama emergency management, who uses rules dictated by the SEC. The first lightning delay was needed (before kickoff); one strike was within a couple of miles of the stadium. The second delay (near the end of the first half) was the somewhat questionable. Yes, there was technically lightning within 8 miles of the stadium, but it was a dissipating storm near Brookwood that was fading fast. There needs to be a little “wiggle room” in situations like this so the game won’t be delayed unnecessarily. Thanks to my friends at the Crimson Tide Sports Network; I was on the air with them live at the stadium for both delays. A great way to communicate with fans and explain the weather situation.

FOOTBALL TOMORROW: Alabama plays Florida State in Tuscaloosa tomorrow afternoon; Auburn hosts Florida tomorrow evening. North Alabama, Alabama A&M, Jacksonville State, South Alabama, and West Alabama all have home games tomorrow evening. The first issue is the heat, mainly for the Bama game (2:30p CT kickoff). The temperature will be near 100 degrees at kickoff. Second issue is the potential for thunderstorms. The storms will be random and scattered, but where they form they will be strong. SPC maintains a marginal risk (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for roughly the eastern half of the state. The main concern will come from strong winds and lightning. We will be watching heat levels and radar trends closely tomorrow...

CRIMSON TIDE HEAT RECORD? If the temperature in Tuscaloosa reaches 100° tomorrow, it will be the hottest home football game on record for the University of Alabama. The hottest two home games on record are the ECU game two weeks ago, and the Kent State game in 2016. The temperature reached 99° during both of those games.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama will host Florida State Saturday afternoon (2:30p CT kickoff at Bryant-Denny)… it will be another very hot September day in Tuscaloosa. Temperatures will be in the 95-100 degree range during most of the game. The chance of a cooling shower is low, but not zero. Auburn hosts Florida Saturday evening (6:00p CT kickoff at Jordan-Hare); temperatures will fall from near 90 at kickoff into the upper 70s by the final whistle. Any showers across East Alabama will be very isolated. North Alabama plays their first game in the new Bank Independent Stadium/Bobby Wallace Field Saturday evening against Alcorn State (6:00p CT kickoff). Expect low 90s at kickoff, upper 70s by the final whistle. Expect similar weather for Saturday evening home games at Jacksonville State, South Alabama, and West Alabama.