Another Dry Day For Most Of Alabama; Showers/Storms Return Tomorrow

PLEASANT WEATHER CONTINUES: For most of Alabama this will be another spectacular spring day with ample sunshine along with a high in the 70s. The exception will be near the Gulf Coast, where clouds will remain in place along with some risk of scattered showers and storms east of a broad surface low over South Louisiana. There is a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe storms along and south of I-10 this afternoon and early tonight; a few storms there could produce gusty winds. A brief waterspout or tornado can’t be ruled out.

TOMORROW/FRIDAY: The broad low will lift northward, along with moist air. Scattered showers and storms are possible statewide tomorrow, and a few storms are possible during the afternoon and evening hours. SPC has placed the southern 3/4 of the state in a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms…

Buoyancy will be modest, and wind dynamics not especially strong, but a few strong storms are possible during the peak of the daytime hearing process with potential for small hail and gusty winds. A brief, isolated tornado can’t be totally ruled out, but isn’t likely. This won’t be an “all day” rain, and highs will be in the 68-76 degree range with a mostly cloudy sky.

A few lingering scattered showers are possible Friday over the northern half of the state, otherwise the day will be generally cloudy with a high in the 70s. A decent part of the day Friday will be dry.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will be a warm, dry day. The sky will be partly to mostly sunny, and we expect afternoon temperatures to reach the low to mid 80s. Then, a cold front will push a band of showers and thunderstorms into the state Saturday night into the pre-dawn hours Sunday. Initially storms could be strong as they push into the northwest corner of the state with some potential for hail, but they should weaken quickly during the night and the overall severe weather threat for the rest of the state is very low.

Showers will end early Sunday (in most places by 8:00 a.m.)… and the sky becomes partly sunny by afternoon with a high between 66 and 76 degrees.

NEXT WEEK: At this point the weather looks dry Monday through Wednesday with highs mostly in the 70s. Global models hint that moist air will return Thursday/Friday with some risk of showers on one or both days, but it is too early to be specific. See the video briefing 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.

ON THIS DATE IN 2020: A tornado outbreak was underway, which lasted through April 13. Throughout the two-day outbreak, a total of 141 tornadoes touched down across 10 states, inflicting widespread and locally catastrophic damage. The outbreak ranks 3rd for producing the most tornadoes in a 24-hour period, with 132 tornadoes; that tally is surpassed only by the 1974 Super Outbreak with 148 and the 2011 Super Outbreak with 219. The strongest tornado of the outbreak occurred in Southern Mississippi, and was given a high-end EF4 damage rating after producing estimated winds of 190 mph, reaching a width of 2.25 miles, and causing eight deaths.

In Alabama over two dozen tornadoes touched down over the northern half of the state. This included a damaging rain wrapped EF-2 that struck a residential area at the southwestern outskirts of Boaz, injuring three people. Later, a high-end EF-1 caused major damage and three injuries in Carbon Hill.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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