Hail Producing Storms Start Our Day

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RIGHT NOW: The good news is that the squall line moving through Alabama this morning most likely won’t produce any tornadoes, and we have not had any reports of really high wind, but hail has been very common. These storms have produced hail stones to the size of golf balls, and hail is covering the ground in many locations. I will post lots of pictures shortly; if you have images send them to pictures@abc3340.com…

REST OF TH DAY: The storms will move through East Alabama during the next hour or so, and it sure looks like the line will be out of the state by 8:00, a little ahead of schedule. We will see additional showers later today, but for now it looks like this will be it for the threat of severe weather this morning. A severe thunderstorm watch for much of Alabama will expire at 7:00 this morning.

THE WEEKEND: A very deep, large cold core upper low will impact Alabama tonight and tomorrow with lots of clouds, cooler temperatures, and a few passing showers. Due to the cold temperatures aloft, some of the showers tomorrow could produce small hail, even though there won’t be any thunder. The high tomorrow will be in the 53 to 56 degree range, almost 10 degrees below average for mid-March. And, it is beginning to look like we might be too optimistic for Sunday; late model runs suggest clouds could hang tough into Sunday, keeping highs in the 50s. And, we might even see a shower Sunday, especially over Northeast Alabama. If the 12Z runs keep this up, we will make the adjustment to the forecast.

NEXT WEEK: The week looks pretty benign… mostly dry with highs in the 60s. We have mentioned a risk of showers Wednesday with an upper impulse moving through, but moisture will be very limited and the rain should not be especially heavy or widespread.

AT THE BEACH: Next week is spring break week for a number of Alabama school systems. For those of you headed to the Gulf Coast, the weather will be dry tomorrow through Tuesday with a good supply of sunshine each day. The high along the immediate coast will close to 60, with mid to upper 60s for areas immediately inland. SSTs (sea water temperatures) are running right at 60 degrees, with some spots reporting upper 50s; that will limit the warmth you can get right on the coast. A few showers could show up Wednesday, but for now that does not look like a major rain event.

LONG RANGE: Lots of cold air will move down into the continental U.S. during the latter half of the month, I do believe it turns sharply colder here at some point, but model guidance remains very inconsistent on exactly when this happens. Watch the Weather Xtreme video for more.

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I will have the next Weather Xtreme video posted by 3:30 this afternoon… in the meantime I have stops today at the Hand in Hand UCP Center in Birmingham, and Shades Mountain Elementary School in Hoover. Enjoy the day…

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