Showers/Storms Return Saturday Night

**No afternoon Weather Xtreme video today; we are at the Pelham Civic Complex getting ready for storm spotter training this evening; it begins at 6:30**

DRY THROUGH TOMORROW: As advertised, this has been another beautiful spring day for Alabama; tons o’ sun with temperatures in the 70s. Tonight will be fair and cool with a low between 45 and 50 early tomorrow for most places. Then, tomorrow, we stay dry with a partly to mostly sunny sky… the afternoon high will be up in the mid to upper 70s.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Most of the day Saturday will be dry; just an outside chance of a rogue shower. Clouds will increase during the day, and temperatures will rise into the 70s. A band of showers and storms will push into the state Saturday night ahead of a cold front; strong storms are possible over Northwest Alabama where SPC has defined a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe weather.

This doesn’t look like a big threat, but a few storms over the northwest part of the state could produce hail and strong gusty winds Saturday night, generally between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. Rain amounts are expected to be fairly light, generally under 1/4 inch.

Then, on Sunday, rain should end early in the day. Otherwise, the day will be cloudy and much cooler with a high in the 57-61 degree range.

NEXT WEEK: Some rain is possible Monday over South Alabama, otherwise the week looks dry. Cool Monday and Tuesday with highs in the 60-65 degree range… then 70s return Wednesday through Friday. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

NOTE FROM THE ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION: With limited amounts of rain predicted for Monday, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is advising people to use extreme caution with all debris burning and outdoor fires. For the remainder of the week, drier conditions are expected to return, with no significant precipitation in the weather forecast. At this time of year with lower humidity and March winds, fires can quickly spread out of control, not only threatening lives, but also endangering homes and property, as well as resulting in damage to Alabama’s forests.

Both number and size of wildfire occurrences have already increased, according to fire officials with the AFC. Over the last three days, 89 wildfires have burned more than 1,265 acres of forestland across the state.

ON THIS DATE IN 1963: A decision was handed down in the case of Whitney Bartie vs. the United States of America. Bartie sued the U.S. Weather Bureau for negligence in failing to provide a warning about Hurricane Audrey in 1957. Bartie’s wife and five children were killed after the 12-foot storm surge struck Cameron Parish, LA on the morning of June 27, 1957. It was ruled that the evidence presented did not establish negligence on the part of the Weather Bureau.

ON THIS DATE IN 1920: The Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1920 was an outbreak of at least 37 tornadoes, 31 of which were significant, across the Midwest and Deep South states on March 28, 1920. The tornadoes left more than 380 dead and at least 1,215 injured. Many communities and farmers alike were caught off-guard as the storms moved to the northeast at speeds that reached over 60 miles per hour. One tornado that moved through Elmore, Tallapoosa, and Chambers County Alabama, then into Troup County Georgia killed 26 people.

SPOTTER TRAINING IS TONIGHT: Our annual storm spotter training is this 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.

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I enjoyed seeing a big group of Girl Scouts this morning at Word Alive Church in Oxford… be looking 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, dry

Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS