A Break in the Action, More Storms Overnight

It was definitely a wet start to the day across all of Alabama. Heavy rains moved in and have moved out very slowly today. Most locations in Central and South Alabama received one to two inches, with some areas over two inches of rain with this first round of showers and thunderstorms. Across the Gulf Coast areas of the state, it has rained all day where a few severe storms occurred as well as multiple flash flood warnings. The majority of the rain has exited Central Alabama with only the southeastern counties and areas along the Gulf Coast still receiving rain this afternoon.

BIRMINGHAM BARONS: Tonight a sell-out crowd is expected a Regions Field as our hometown Birmingham Barons take on the Chicago White Sox. First pitch it at 6PM this evening. The weather for the games doesn’t look all that bad. Mostly cloudy conditions, with the rain expected to hold off until after the game. It will be cool heading to the ball park this evening, temperatures will be right around 60 degrees during the game.

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT: The SPC continues to have much of eastern Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley outlined in a risk for severe weather. Even early this afternoon, severe storms were developing in this region and were beginning to race off towards the east. Damaging winds and large hail are the greatest concern with the severe weather today, but isolated tornadoes and flash flooding are possible. This risk areas does approach the northwestern portions of the state. Additional storms will be developing over the Mississippi Delta this evening and will likely make it as far east as Alabama by midnight.

YES, MORE STORMS TONIGHT: Through out the week we were expecting the threat for strong and severe storms to impact Alabama later tonight. Earlier today the SPC removed most of Alabama from the threat of severe weather. We have this morning’s rain and thunderstorms to thank for that,  as that area of unsettled weather continued to hang over the southern part of the state and Gulf Coast. This has prevented a return flow off the Gulf of Mexico which would have helped instability to increase across the state. This morning’s activity worked over the atmosphere in Alabama and has stabilized it. What does this mean?

We will still see storms overnight, and some of those storms could be strong. However, as they approach the state, with the stable atmosphere over Alabama, these storms will be weakening. Overnight all locations in Alabama will see more rain and storms, but any organized and widespread severe weather is not expected to occur. We will have to watch out for some gusty winds and the threat of flooding as many areas across the state have received a soaking rain today with many small streams and creeks running full.

A quick glance of the radar shows the strong and severe storms ongoing in the risk area. As mentioned above, this activity will continue to head east towards Alabama and will be arriving later tonight.

SATURDAY GETS BETTER: A wet start to the weekend, as showers and storms are expected to be ongoing during the morning hours. The front and the rain will be exiting the region rapidly through the day, and by early afternoon we expect most of the rain to be out of Alabama. Dry air moves in behind the front and I really think we will have afternoon clearing for Saturday, with many areas seeing the sun late in the day. Afternoon highs are expected to reach the upper 60s and lower 70s. With a drier air mass moving in and a clearing sky, we do expect our overnight lows will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s.

SUNDAY: A phenomenal day of weather. After those lows in the 30s, full sunshine will help us all warm into the upper 60s and lower 70s. This is the first of several beautiful spring days across the state.

NEW WEEK, NEW MONTH: That is right the last day or March is Monday, that means we turn the page and enter the month of April. You could not ask for better weather for this transition with a sky full of sunshine and warm weather. Afternoon highs will be in the mid 70s while overnight lows should be around 50 degrees.

NEXT STORM SYSTEM: By midweek, it looks as though another area of low pressure will be developing over the southern Plains. We will be watching this system carefully as the SPC has already issued a risk for severe weather over portions of the Red River Valley for Wednesday. This system will be lifting towards the northeast and will swing a front through the Southeast. Still a lot of uncertainty in regards to any severe weather threat for us in Alabama, but just something to keep in mind. We are entering the heart of severe weather season for Alabama, and any system could produce severe weather. Late Wednesday we are likely see clouds increasing across the area, and showers and storms should occur Thursday into Thursday night. It looks like this system will move through the region swiftly.

THE NEXT ALABAMA WEEKEND: The storm system looks to clear the region Friday and the GFS is painting a splendid weekend for Alabama. At this time, showers and storms are not expected as dry weather will move in with an area of high pressure. Ample sunshine with afternoon highs well into the 70s, and possibly approaching 80. Overnight lows will be in the 50s.

BEACHBOUND: To start the weekend, showers and thunderstorms will occur along the northern Gulf Coast. By Sunday, the weather breaks on the beaches and the weather turns beautiful for several days. Expect highs in the 70s with overnight lows in the 50s. Next chance of rain for the Northern Gulf Coast will be late Wednesday into Thursday as the next storm system approaches. Water temperature early this afternoon was 61 degrees.

Category: Alabama's Weather