Summer-Like Weather Ahead
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THIS AFTERNOON: We have a classic case of widely scattered showers and storms across Alabama this afternoon. The air is actually pretty unstable, with surface based CAPE (convective available potential energy) values over 3,000 j/kg in spots with surface temperatures nearing 80 degrees. But, there is little dynamic forcing for showers and storms other than the daytime heating process, and you wind up with the radar looking like it has a case of the measles, much like a day in June or July.
While a large percentage of the state is dry, where storms have formed they are pretty strong; one storm earlier this afternoon dropped small hail on Haleyville in Winston County. The showers and storms will fade away as the sun goes down this evening.
REST OF THE WEEK AND THE WEEKEND: Still looks very warm, with daily highs between 80 and 85 degrees, right at record levels for mid-March in Alabama. I have to figure we might tie, or even break a daily record high between now and Sunday. The days will feature a mix of sun and clouds, and there will be enough moisture for the continued chance of widely scattered showers and storms.
We do note the NAM is very aggressive with rain and storms around here on Friday, but that model is an outlier and is rejected for this forecast package.
The chance of any one spot getting wet each day through Sunday will be in the 20 to 30 percent range. While most of the storms will form during the peak of the daytime heating process, we can’t totally rule out a late night or morning shower as well.
NEXT WEEK: A deep upper trough out west will move very slowly eastward… looks like a storm chaser’s delight Sunday and Monday with severe storms likely from the Texas Panhandle up into the Southern Plains. But, around here, the ridge holds and we stay warm and most dry with only widely scattered showers and storms.
And, out in the land of voodoo, still no sign of any late season freezes, flooding, or major severe weather issues through the rest of March. See the Weather Xtreme video for details.
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I had a great time today visiting with the 4th graders at South Lamar School in Lamar County near Millport… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News. The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Category: Alabama's Weather
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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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