A Break From The Rain Later Today

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BIG TIME SOAKING: The heaviest rain total from our Skywatchers yesterday was 7.39” recorded at Alabaster. Other rain totals included 6.18” at Sterrett, 6.06” at Pelham, 4.41” at Morris, 4.15” at Inverness, 3.99” at Oxford, 3.96” at Springville, 3.86” at Jasper, 3.41” at Coker, 3.25” at Center Point, 3.05” at Weaver, 2.67” at Scrougeout (northeast of Gadsden), and 2.27” at Moundville. Birmingham’s official total was 2.59”.

THIS MORNING: A band of moderate to heavy rain is moving through West Alabama. This band had prompted a tornado watch late last night for much of Mississippi and West Tennessee, but the storms have steadily weakened as they moved into the more stable air over Alabama, and we don’t expect any severe weather this morning with the passage of that band. However, it will drop more briefly heavy rain over a waterlogged state, something we don’t need.

The good news is that we will have a nice break from the rain during the midday hours as that band moves into Georgia, and there is a fairly decent chance the sun comes out, pushing temperatures into the 70s. I still believe we might see a few echoes on radar late this afternoon as the air becomes unstable, but the activity will be pretty scattered if anything does develop.

TONIGHT/TOMORROW: The weather remains unsettled. A large upper low will set up north of Alabama, and a surface cold front will approach from the west. Accordingly, we will mention a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. The rain won’t be as heavy or as widespread as yesterday, but some of the storms tomorrow afternoon could pack a punch. SPC has the eastern half of Alabama in their standard slight risk of severe weather tomorrow; the main threat will be from hail due to the colder air aloft, but a rotating updrafts are possible as well. The main window for severe storm development tomorrow will be from about 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. And, of course, with the saturated soil some localized flooding issues are very possible.

THE WEEKEND: The big upper low will mean a chance of showers on Saturday as we kick off the weekend. But, the rain won’t be too widespread, just keep in mind a few passing showers are possible. And, the weather will be noticeably cooler with highs back in the 50s. Due to the very cold air aloft, we might even see some small hail with the showers, even with no thunder or lightning. The day will be generally cloudy, although the sun could peek out at times. Sunday still looks dry with a partly sunny sky and a high in the low 60s.

AT THE BEACH: Spring break begins this weekend for many Alabamians; the weekend looks dry along the Alabama and Northwest Florida Gulf Coast, with ample sunshine Saturday and Sunday and a high along the immediate coast near 60 degrees. Most of next week looks dry, although a few isolated showers are possible by Tuesday or Wednesday. Water temperatures along the Gulf coast are running in the 57 to 60 degree range, so you might freeze if you want to take a dip in the ocean!

NEXT WEEK: The weather around here looks pretty benign next week, with a decent amount of sunshine each day and a high in the 60s, about where we should be for mid-March.

VOODOO COUNTRY: Model madness rules during the latter half of March, with no consistency. However, the idea of a cold snap for Alabama I still believe is very valid at some point, although the 06Z GFS operational run keeps that cold air north of here. Watch the Weather Xtreme video for more details.

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