Cool, Dry Day For Alabama

MCCALLA TORNADO: NWS Birmingham will send a survey team to McCalla this morning to assess the storm damage and rate the tornado that moved through yesterday around 5:45 p.m. Yet another reminder that “when it comes to thunderstorms, expect the unexpected”. I sure didn’t expect a significant tornado; conditions seemingly didn’t favor it, and there was no tornado watch, or watch of any kind in effect. But, the guys at the NWS office in Birmingham did an excellent job of identifying the tornado signature on radar and issuing a tornado warning.

Those with a NOAA Weather Radio, or a good smart app enabled on their phone (like WeatherRadio by WDT) got the warning only a minute or two before the damage started, but that minute or two can make the difference between life and death. We can’t always provide 20 or 30 minutes lead time for a tornado, and that was prime example. Hearing reports from those in the path confirmed the idea that if you rely on a siren to get a tornado warning, you won’t have much hope of advance notice; you probably won’t hear it anyway. Today is a good day to get a Weather Radio, or a good smart phone app since the spring tornado season is just beginning.

CALMER DAY: A cool, dry airmass has settled into the state today; expect a sunny sky today with a high in the mid 50s, about 15 degrees cooler than recent days.

TOMORROW: Clouds return tomorrow ahead of the next wave, and we will mention a good chance of showers tomorrow afternoon and early tomorrow night. No severe weather threat this time, but some might hear some thunder with a little elevated instability available. Rain amounts should be 1/2 inch or less.

FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND: Sunny days, fair nights, and a warming trend. The high Friday will be in the upper 50s, followed mid 60s Saturday, and upper 60s Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: We expect a high in the low to mid 70s Monday and Tuesday, and global models suggest a chance of strong, perhaps severe thunderstorms by mid-week on Wednesday. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.

AT THE BEACH: Sunny today, but a few showers are possible along the coast from Panama City Beach to Gulf Shores late tomorrow and tomorrow night. Then, sunny days and fair nights Friday through the weekend. Highs will be in the 60s, and sea water temperatures are generally in the 60s. See a very detailed Gulf Coast forecast here.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 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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I will be doing a weather program for a home school group this morning at the public library in Boaz… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, cooler

Category: Alabama's Weather