Showers Tomorrow; A Few Strong Storms Possible
CHANGES AHEAD: Rain is falling along the Gulf Coast this afternoon, east of an upper low that is spinning over Southwest Louisiana. The rest of Alabama is dry and mild with temperatures in the 70s. Clouds will increase statewide tonight, and we will mention a chance of showers and thunderstorms tomorrow. SPC maintains a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for the southern 2/3 of the state.
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 65-75 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 late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Initially storms could be strong as they push into the northwest corner of the state with some potential for hail after midnight Saturday night, but they should weaken quickly during the pre-dawn hours and the overall severe weather threat for the rest of the state is very low.
Models are trending a little slower… it now looks like the main window for rain over the weekend will come from about midnight Saturday night through 12 noon Sunday. Some clearing is possible over the western half of the state Sunday afternoon. Highs Sunday will be in the 60s over the northern half of the state, with 70s to the south.
NEXT WEEK: At this point the weather looks dry Monday through Thursday with highs mostly in the 70s and 80s. Global models hint that moist air will return Friday with some risk of showers. 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 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
About the Author (Author Profile)
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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