Summer-Like Today; Severe Storms Possible This Weekend

BIG WARM-UP: For most Alabama communities, today should be the warmest day so far this year. With sunshine in full supply we project a high in the mid 80s this afternoon… so far Birmingham’s warmest day was this past Sunday (April 7) when the high was 82. The weather won’t change much tomorrow; still warm and dry with a partly sunny sky along with a high between 82 and 85.

Clouds will increase tomorrow night, and a cold front will bring a chance of showers, and possibly a thunderstorm Friday. There won’t be much upper support, and moisture will be limited, so we don’t expect any severe storms Friday, and rain amounts should fairly light, mostly under 1/2 inch. The high Friday will be in the upper 70s.

STORMY WEEKEND: The boundary will lift northward as a warm front Friday night, and by Saturday morning it should be in Tennessee. The latest guidance suggests a decent part of the day Saturday will be dry, but we can’t rule out a few scattered showers or storms during the afternoon as the air becomes unstable with temperatures rising into the low and mid 80s.

A dynamic storm system will bring an organized batch of showers and thunderstorms into the state Saturday night and Sunday. A deep surface low, supported by a robust upper trough, will pass just northwest of our state, and with an unstable airmass in place the stage is set for the potential for severe thunderstorms.

SPC has much of the state in a severe weather risk in their “Day 4” and “Day 5” outlooks. Day 4 runs through 7:00 a.m. Sunday, and Day 5 is valid after 7:00 a.m. Sunday.

For now, it looks like the main window for severe storms this weekend in Alabama will come from 12:00 midnight Saturday night through 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Initially over the western counties late Saturday night, then spreading eastward during the day Sunday.

All modes of severe weather will be possible, including large hail, damaging wind, and tornadoes.

It is important to note that this event is still 4/5 days out, and there is still considerable uncertainty concerning small scale features, making it difficult to determine the magnitude, timing, and placement of the threat. Expect forecast changes as we get closer to the weekend, but one way or another now is a good time to review your family severe weather plan. And, every church and house of worship needs to be sure they can hear tornado warnings (having a NOAA Weather Radio), and a good plan to get people into safe places in the event they come in a tornado warning polygon.

NEXT WEEK: The weather will be dry with pleasant days and cool nights Monday through Wednesday… then we could very well be looking at another severe weather threat Thursday. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1979: This day was known as “Terrible Tuesday” to the residents of Wichita Falls, Texas as a tornado rated EF-4 ripped through the city killing 43 persons and causing 300 million dollars in damage. Another tornado struck Vernon, Texas killing eleven persons. The same weather system would later bring severe river flooding to Alabama later in April 1979.

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I have a weather program this morning in Helena… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, warm

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