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Storms Remain Possible Through Tomorrow

| April 20, 2011 @ 3:10 pm | Reply

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THIS AFTERNOON: While we did mention a good chance of showers and strong storms today with potential for high winds and hail, the day certainly didn’t go as I expected. The cluster of storms that hit Tuscaloosa around 9:00 was a bit of a surprise, and the wake low/gravity wave high wind event in Cullman County was also one out of the blue. The morning convection did die off as expected, but the air has been slow to recover, the most of North Alabama remains stable this afternoon with temperatures in the 70s.

While SPC has a severe thunderstorm watch in place for parts of Northwest Alabama, clearly the best chance of stronger convection for the rest of the afternoon will be south of I-20 where the air is unstable. And, even there the threat seems to be marginal with weak dynamics. The main positive for strong storms is the steep lapse rate, which means some hail is certainly possible. And, surprise, the NWS in Jackson has just issued a tornado warning for parts of Choctaw, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, and Webster counties in Mississippi. I don’t expect any tornado warnings in Alabama tonight.

TONIGHT/TOMORROW: With a front stalled just to the north, we will have to maintain the chance of showers and storms tonight and tomorrow, but with ridging aloft taking hold, the storms will be more scattered in nature, and the sun should be out at times tomorrow with a high in the low 80s.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Summer-like weather is the story, with very warm, humid days. Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s over the Easter weekend, very close to record levels, and with warm aloft associated with the upper ridge in place, most places will be dry. A rogue shower could pop up in a few spots during the peak of the afternoon heat, but the chance of any one spot getting wet for now looks very small over the weekend.

NEXT WEEK: Another dynamic spring storm system will develop over the nation’s mid-section, setting the stage for another round of severe weather, which should begin Monday over the Great Plains, then spreading east. Still looks like the main threat for Alabama will come late Tuesday, Tuesday night, and perhaps into Wednesday morning. Still too early to determine the exact timing or the greatest threats. Stay tuned.

TROPICS: Scroll down for Bill’s note on the pre-season mischief in the Atlantic.

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I enjoyed speaking this morning to a group of high school students at the West Alabama Leadership Conference at Bevill State in Fayette… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…

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Category: Alabama's Weather

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James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.

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