Dry Through Friday; Rain Returns Over The Weekend
BRIGHTER DAY: Dry air returns to Alabama today; look for a sunny sky with a high in the 45-50 degree range this afternoon; still about 5-8 degrees below average for December 18. Tonight will be clear and cold again; most North/Central Alabama communities will be in the 20s by daybreak tomorrow. The weather remains dry tomorrow and Friday; we rise into the low 50s tomorrow, and then the mid to upper 50s Friday. The sky will be mostly sunny tomorrow, and partly sunny Friday. Clouds thicken Friday night.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will be a cloudy day, with rain likely over the southern half of the state. Rain will increase statewide Saturday night and Sunday as a surface low passes along the Gulf Coast. Heaviest rain will come over Southeast Alabama… places like Dothan could see over three inches. Amounts should be 1/2 to 1 inch for the I-20 corridor, with only light amounts over the Tennessee Valley. No risk of severe storms, and probably no thunder. Highs will be in the 50s Saturday and Sunday.
CHRISTMAS WEEK: The weather looks dry across Alabama Monday through Thursday with mild afternoons; highs will be in the 60s with lows in the 30s. Global model data hints clouds will return late in the week with a chance of showers on Friday (December 27). See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
TORNADO SURVEYS: At least nine tornadoes touched down in Alabama late Monday and Monday night…
*EF-2 tornadoes touched down at Colbert Heights, Town Creek, and Salt Well (west of Demopolis)
*EF-1 tornadoes touched down at Monrovia and Brierfield
*EF-0 tornadoes touched down at Meridianville, Little Brush Creek (near the Hale/Perry County line), Deer Creek Road (Bibb County), and Clay Pit Road (near Montevallo in Shelby County)
ON THIS DATE IN 1944: Typhoon Cobra, also known as the Typhoon of 1944 or Halsey’s Typhoon (named after Admiral William “Bull” Halsey) was the United State Navy designation for a tropical cyclone that struck the Task Force 38 in the during World War II in the Pacific. The typhoon was first observed on December 17 as it surprised a fleet of ships in the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Sustained winds associated with the storm were up to 100 mph with gusts to 140 mph. On December 18, the small but violent typhoon hit the Task Force while many of the ships were attempting to refuel. Due to the extreme seas and winds, three destroyers capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. Approximately 790 officers and men were lost or killed with another 80 injured. This storm inflicted more damage on the Navy than any storm since the hurricane at Apia, Samoa in 1889.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
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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.Subscribe
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