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Moist Air Returns To Alabama Today

| October 6, 2014 @ 6:29 am

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AT DAYBREAK: Still pretty chilly over Northeast Alabama this morning with low to mid 40s reported from Gadsden up to Fort Payne. We note over the weekend our Skywatcher at Black Creek, Vic Bell, dropped to freezing early yesterday (his low was 32), his earliest freeze on record. There was scattered frost across the colder valleys yesterday morning. Nothing on radar over Alabama as the new day dawns.

THE DAY AHEAD: We are watching a line of showers and strong storms just northwest of Alabama…

Screen Shot 2014-10-06 at 6.15.48 AM

These showers will slowly weaken, but some of them will move into the northwest corner of Alabama this morning. These showers and storms are ahead of a spoke of energy rotating down the back side of the long wave upper trough over the eastern half of the U.S. And, that wave will bring the chance of showers and storms to North Alabama later today and tonight.

STRONG STORMS? SPC has North Alabama, areas generally north of I-59, under the standard “slight risk” of severe weather for this afternoon and tonight; this risk extends west and north to Texas and Kentucky. Shear and instability values are somewhat marginal for severe weather in our state, but very cold air aloft, associated with the upper trough, seems to be the biggest flag, meaning the greatest threat will come from large hail, especially north of I-20 and west of I-65.

The main window for stronger storms will come from about 2:00 until 9:00 p.m. We will watch radar trends closely.

TOMORROW: Another wave embedded in the large upper trough will pass north of the state, and we will mention scattered showers and storms tomorrow, mainly north of I-20. The sun might peek out at times tomorrow, and the high should be in the 77-81 degree range. No “all day” rain.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: Wednesday and Thursday look relatively dry and warm. A few showers could fire up Thursday afternoon over North Alabama as isentropic lift increases over the state, but widespread rain doesn’t look especially likely for now. Afternoon temperatures will rise into the low to mid 80s on these days. Then, on Friday, a cold front will approach from the north. The GFS suggests a band of showers and storms could move into our state late Friday afternoon and Friday night. This could mean some rain issues for high school football games across North Alabama.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The front sags down into North Alabama, and becomes stationary as it will be parallel to the upper air flow. This means we will have the chance of a few passing showers and thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday. The rain won’t be continuous, but you will need to be ready for occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm if you have something planned outdoors. High temperatures over the weekend will be in the 75-79 degree range, about average for mid-October in Alabama. Probably not much sun.

See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

TROPICS: All remains quiet across the Atlantic basin, and tropical storm formation is not expected this week. The hurricane season runs through the end of November, but generally after October hurricanes are not very common as the ocean water temperatures cool.

GULF COAST WEATHER: The National Shrimp Festival is this Thursday through Sunday on the Alabama Gulf Coast… one of the biggest events of the year. The weather looks great, with mostly sunny days and fair nights; only a small risk of a shower Sunday. Highs will be in the 80s, and lows in the 60s. The sea water temperature at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab this morning has cooled to 72 degrees.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. We will produce this week’s show tonight at 8:30 CT… you can watch on “James Spann 24/7” on cable systems around the state, or on the web here.

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I have a weather program today at Liberty Park Elementary School in Vestavia Hills… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

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Category: Alabama's Weather

About the Author ()

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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