Warm Is The Word

**No afternoon Weather Xtreme video today due to travel schedule**

THIS AFTERNOON: As expected, in the warm, humid air over Alabama a few scattered showers have formed, much like a summer afternoon. At 2:30 the showers were seen in parts of Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Calhoun, and Clay counties. There were very scattered in nature, and while a few heavier showers are in progress, most of them are relatively light. The showers will end this evening as the sun goes down.

RECORD WARMTH POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND: No real change in our thinking for the weekend. Highs tomorrow and Sunday will be in the mid to upper 80s with a partly sunny sky both days. Warm air aloft associated with the upper ridge will keep most of the state rain-free. These temperatures represent average values for late June in Alabama, and are 15 degrees above average for early April.

MONDAY: The big upper low over the west will lift out late in the weekend; the associated surface low will be over the Great Lakes with a trailing cold front. Models continue to trend slower, showing the front passing through our state Monday afternoon. No doubt a band of showers and storms will be along the front, and some of them could be strong with the front now expected to come through the state during the daytime hours. But, with the best dynamics and the surface low well to the north, the chance of a major severe weather issue looks low for now. Rain amounts should be generally one-half inch or less.

REST OF NEXT WEEK: Tuesday and Wednesday will be dry and pleasant. The 12Z GFS is slower with the end of the week system, and it now holds off the next rain/storm event until Friday (one week from today). Projected surface and upper air features would suggest a chance of strong to severe storms for parts of the Deep South. A high amplitude upper trough shows up over the eastern U.S. as well, and that could keep clouds over Alabama into the day Saturday (April 16), with potential even for a little light rain over the northern counties of the state. Sunday (April 17) looks dry and pleasant.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

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Thanks to Ashley Brand for covering my TV shift tonight while I am on the road… Brian Peters will have the video updates tomorrow and Sunday; my next Weather Xtreme video will be posted bright and early Monday morning by 7:00 a.m…. enjoy the weekend!

Tags: warm

Category: Alabama's Weather