Cool, Wet Day For Alabama; Big Weekend Warm-Up Ahead
RADAR CHECK: Rain is fairly widespread across Alabama early this morning with temperatures mostly in the 47-54 degree range. Today will feature occasional rain along with a few embedded thunderstorms along with a high in the 50s. Rain will diminish by mid-afternoon, with just a few lingering isolated showers around tonight.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The weather turns much warmer, with highs in the 66-74 degree range tomorrow, and 70s statewide Sunday. We expect a mix of sun and clouds both days along with the chance of a few spotty showers. Nothing heavy, nothing widespread. The chance of any one spot seeing rain both days is in the 20/25 percent range.
NEXT WEEK: The weather will be unsettled for much of the week with highs mostly in the low 70s. There will be some risk of showers on a daily basis… for now it looks like the most widespread and heaviest rain will come on Tuesday and Friday, but understand that could change in this complex pattern. There are also some signals for strong thunderstorms toward the end of the week, but it is too early to know if there will be any risk of severe storms.
Rain amounts will be in the 2-4 inch range for much of Alabama through Friday March 8, and Mobile and Baldwin counties could see 4-5 inches. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 2007: An EF4 tornado struck Enterprise around 1:10 p.m. Eight students at Enterprise High School died in the tragedy. The fatalities at the school occurred when a concrete wall collapsed on a group of students huddled in a hallway.
The students were Michael Bowen, Peter Dunn, A.J. Jackson, Ryan Mohler, Katie Strunk, Michael Tompkins, Jamie Ann Vidensek, and Michelle Wilson.
A ninth fatality occurred in Downtown Enterprise; 83-year-old retired nurses’ aid Edna Hays Strickland. She was standing behind a living room window of her home as the glass shattered.
A controversy arose as national media outlets questioned whether school administrators should have dismissed school early, but nearly all local residents supported the decision to keep students at school. If the students would have been sent home, no doubt the death toll would have been much, much higher.
A high-risk outlook was issued early that morning and a PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) tornado watch was issued hours in advance. The National Weather Service Tallahassee issued a tornado warning a full eight minutes before the tornado struck the school.
Another devastating tornado struck the Millers Ferry area in Wilcox County, killing one man. That tornado also ranked as an EF4.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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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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