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Showers Today; Severe Storms Possible Sunday Morning

| April 12, 2019 @ 6:29 am

A FEW SHOWERS TODAY: A cold front is creeping into Northwest Alabama early this morning, and we have a few showers ahead of the front. Moisture is limited, and there is little upper support, but we will maintain the chance of showers across Alabama today… otherwise the sky will be mostly cloudy with a high in the 70s. I would not call it a “rainy day”, but just be ready for a passing shower from time to time.

Rain will likely increase late tonight as the front moves northward as a warm front.

TOMORROW: The best chance of rain will most likely come tomorrow morning over the northern half of Alabama… by midday the most widespread rain should be to the north over Tennessee. The sky becomes partly sunny tomorrow afternoon, and any showers by then should be few and far between; the high will be close to 80 degrees for most places.

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT: A rather dynamic weather system will bring the threat of severe storms to Alabama after midnight tomorrow night into Sunday morning. SPC has all of Alabama outlooked for severe storms on their “Day 2” and “Day 3” outlooks… Day 2 runs through 7:00 a.m. Sunday, and Day 3 is valid after 7:00 a.m. Sunday.

Let me say that I don’t want you to get hung up in risk areas and colors on these maps… just understand all of Alabama has a risk of severe thunderstorms.

The storms will be coming through at a time when instability values will be low, but despite the weaker thermodynamics, a deep surface low will pass northwest of Alabama supported by a vigorous upper trough with strong wind fields.

TIMING: The core threat will come from 3:00 a.m. Sunday until 12:00 noon Sunday. Of course, the initial threat will be over West Alabama during the pre-dawn hours, then moving eastward. A new area of showers and storms could develop along the actual cold front Sunday afternoon, but for now the severe weather threat with that activity looks low.

THREATS: Thunderstorms will be capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes.

RAIN: Rain amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch are expected, and flooding should not be an issue.

CALL TO ACTION: Be sure you have a way of hearing warnings. Every Alabama home, business, and church must have a NOAA Weather Radio, properly programmed and with a battery backup. Be sure WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) are enabled on your phone. Know the safe place in your home, and have helmets, portable air horns, and hard sole shoes for everyone in the family there. If you live in a manufactured home and are put in a tornado warning polygon, you have to get out. Identify a shelter, or other safe structure that is available during the pre-dawn hours on Sunday morning. Every church should review their severe weather plan.

No need to be anxious about this; we are in the core of the spring tornado season, and having threats like this is common this time of the year. Just have a way of hearing warnings, and a good action plan.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Both Auburn and Alabama play their spring football games tomorrow (1:00 kickoff in Tuscaloosa; 3:00 kickoff in Auburn). Just a small risk of a shower in Tuscaloosa, otherwise partly sunny and warm at both stadiums with temperatures around 80 degrees at kickoff.

NEXT WEEK: Monday and Tuesday will be dry with sunshine in full supply both days; highs will be in the 70s and morning lows will be in the 40s. Moisture returns Wednesday, and more strong storms are likely Thursday, Thursday night, and possibly into Friday morning. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1945: A series of significant tornadoes raked Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois. Antlers, Oklahoma were nearly obliterated by a massive F5 tornado that zigzagged from southwest to northeast across the town. 69 people died in the twister. Another tornado killed eight people in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The disaster was overshadowed by the loss of President Franklin Roosevelt, who died suddenly at his vacation home at Warm Springs, Georgia.

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

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

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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