Spectacular Spring Weather

NOTHING BUT SUN: The sky is clear across Alabama and the adjacent states this afternoon; temperatures are in the 60s over the northern third of the state, 70s elsewhere. Tonight will be clear and cool with a low in the 40s.

TOMORROW/FRIDAY: The weather stays dry and very pleasant; ample sunshine tomorrow with a high in the low 70s… then we expect mid 70s Friday with a partly sunny sky.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday looks dry; with a mix of sun and clouds we rise into the mid 70s again. Clouds will increase late in the day ahead of a cold front, and a band of showers and storms will enter the state Saturday night. New model guidance is a bit slower… suggesting the main window for rain over the weekend will come from 9:00 p.m. Saturday through 12:00 noon Sunday. Rain amounts should be 1/2 inch or less, and now we are not expecting any severe thunderstorms. Sunday will be cooler with a high close to 60 degrees.

NEXT WEEK: For now the week looks rain-free for most of the state. The high Monday and Tuesday will be in the 60s, then we head back into the 70s Wednesday through Friday. Monday and Tuesday morning will be chilly with lows in the 37-42 degree range. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

MORNING CHILL: Here are some lows across Alabama earlier today…

Russellville 28
Hamilton 30
Millport 30
Moulton 32
Courtland 32
Cullman 33
Muscle Shoals 34
Hueytown 35
Fort Payne 36
Coker 37
Birmingham 38

ON THIS DATE IN 1994: This is the 25th anniversary of the EF-4 tornado that killed 20 people in the Goshen United Methodist Church during the Palm Sunday worship service on March 27, 1994. A total of 92 were injured. A warning was issued 12 minutes before the tornado destroyed the church building, but unfortunately they never heard the warning.The deaths at the church brought to light the deficiencies in the NOAA Weather Radio network across the United States at the time, and the lack of NOAA Weather Radio use in many public spaces. We have come a long way since then, but we have much work to do. Every home, business, church, and public place must have a way of hearing warnings.

Later in the day, an EF-2 tornado tore through Shelby County; it began on the north side of Helena on the Bearden Farm moving northeastward crossing Alabama 261 near Pelham High School. The school suffered some damage. Continuing northeast, the tornado caused damage in a residential section before doing extensive damage to two mobile home parks on the west side of U. S. Highway 31 on the north side of Pelham. The tornado did extensive to businesses in the stretch from the U. S. 31/Alabama 119 intersection to the Alabama 119/Interstate 65 intersection. The tornado continued on its track going through primarily residential areas of Pelham and Indian Springs. The tornado dissipated just before reaching the Meadow Brook area about two miles west of U. S. Highway 280.

SPOTTER TRAINING: Our annual storm spotter training is tomorrow evening at the Pelham Civic Complex. Doors open at 5:00, training begins at 6:30. No fee, no need to register. Just show up with a curious mind! You will help us make the severe weather warning process more efficient, and you will never look at a storm the same again. Hope to see you there.

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN FOR INDYCAR AT BARBER: The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama will be April 5-7 at the beautiful Barber Motorsports Park! Make plans for the event that has been voted “Best Annual Event” & “Best Sporting Event” in Birmingham. Kids 15 & under are admitted free with a ticketed adult, and three-day general admission tickets are $69. Single day tickets are as low as $15. Pack a picnic/cooler and bring the family out for a weekend full of activities and racing! For tickets, CLICK HERE.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute show anytime on your favorite podcast app. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…

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I enjoyed seeing the children today at Cross at Clay Academy… look for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…

Tags: ANC, clear

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos