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Rain Tapers Off Tonight; Strong Storms Early Thursday Morning

| April 7, 2020 @ 3:27 pm

WET AFTERNOON: Rain is fairly widespread across North/Central Alabama this afternoon; there isn’t much lightning showing up, and the risk of severe storms remains very low through the evening. Temperatures are mostly in the 60s where rain is falling, with 70s elsewhere. The rain will taper off from west to east this evening.

TOMORROW/THURSDAY: Tomorrow will be a very warm April day; with a mix of sun and clouds we project a high between 82 and 85 degrees for most communities. A few scattered showers or storms are possible, but much of the day will be dry.

Then, late tomorrow night, an approaching cold front will bring a band of showers and strong storms into the state. SPC has defined a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe storms as far south as Vernon, Cullman, and Fort Payne, with a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) all the way down to Grove Hill, Greenville, and Phenix City. Keep in mind this outlook runs through 7:00 a.m. CT Thursday.

The main window for strong to severe storms will come from 2:00 until 7:00 a.m. Thursday. Storms will be capable of producing hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Understand this will be a “middle of the night” kind of event, so it is very important for everyone to have a good, working, properly programmed NOAA Weather Radio in your home so you won’t miss any warnings if they are needed.

During the day Thursday the sky becomes partly to mostly sunny with a high in the mid 70s.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY: Friday will be cool and dry; with a good supply of sunshine the high will be in the 60s. Saturday morning will feature a low between 38 and 44 degrees… we can’t rule out a touch of light frost for colder pockets across North Alabama. Then, during the day Saturday, the sky will be partly sunny with a high between 67 and 70. Clouds will increase late in the day.

EASTER SUNDAY: Global models show a pattern favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms across parts of the Deep South on Easter Sunday. Strong winds aloft, a deep surface low to the northwest, and moist, unstable air will all be present. Still too early to determine the magnitude of the threat, but just be aware Sunday looks like an active day. The high Sunday afternoon should be in the 70s; rain amounts of 1-2 inches are likely.

NEXT WEEK: Much cooler air rolls into Alabama Monday, and we will have the threat of a freeze and frost on at least one morning during the mid-week period. Growers need to monitor temperature forecasts as we get closer… See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

ON THIS DATE IN 1926: Lightning started a disastrous oil fire at San Luis Obispo, California, which lasted for five days, spread over 900 acres, and burned over six million barrels of oil. Flames reached 1000 feet, and the temperature of the fire was estimated at 2,500 degrees. The fire spawned thousands of whirlwinds with hundreds the size of small tornadoes. One vortex traveled one mile to the east-northeast of the blaze, destroying a small farmhouse and killing two people. Damage totaled $15 million.

ON THIS DATE IN 1980: Severe thunderstorms spawned tornadoes that ripped through central Arkansas. The severe thunderstorms also produce high winds and baseball size hail. Five counties were declared disaster areas by President Carter. A tornado causing F3 damage also affected St. Louis and St. Charles counties in Missouri producing $2.5 million in damage.

ON THIS DATE IN 2006: Severe thunderstorms produced over a dozen tornadoes across Alabama, including EF-1 twisters at Gardendale and Roebuck.

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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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…

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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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