Central Alabama’s Most Detailed Seven Day Forecast
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 19, 2019
FORECASTER: Ryan Stinnett
WATCHING AN ACTIVE RADAR: Heavy rain along with strong and severe storms remain a threat across Alabama this afternoon…Here is the latest on The Alabama Weather Situation:
A line of strong to occasionally severe storms is moving through Alabama currently. The main severe weather threat continues to be along and south of the Interstate 20 corridor where the highest instability values are located and this is the area that is currently under a tornado watch until 5PM this evening.
We have already had several tornado warnings across the area through the morning hours, and the threat for damaging winds and isolated tornadoes will continue through the afternoon hours before ending this evening. The good news is that there have not been any reports of damage in the areas that went under tornado warnings earlier, and lets hope that trend continues.
Once the line of storms passes your location, the severe weather threat is over and we will continue to see the threat end from west to east through the afternoon. The line of storms should be out of the state around 7 or 8PM. However, make sure you stay weather aware the rest of today and continue to check the blog for frequent updates.
WINTER RETURNS TONIGHT: Rain will end from west to east this evening, followed by strong north winds, and some very cold air that is now lurking just to our north. During initial rush of cold air, a few light snow flurries are possible across the northern half of the state from about midnight tonight through 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, but we expect no accumulation or impact.
We also expect no big issues with icy road conditions Sunday morning; the strong north wind along with lowering dew points should evaporate most of the moisture before temperatures reach the low 30s.
During the day tomorrow, the sky will clear with sunshine returning by afternoon, but the day will be windy and cold with a high in the 36-40 degree range and with the brisk winds, it will be feeling much colder.
LUNAR ECLIPSE: The sky will be clear for the total lunar eclipse Sunday night; it begins at 8:36p CT, and peaks at 11:12p CT. Bundle up, as temperatures will be below freezing.
THE WEEK AHEAD: Monday morning will be clear and cold with a nearly calm wind; we project lows in the 15-25 range over the northern half of the state. The day will be sunny and Monday’s high will be close to 50 degrees. Clouds move in Tuesday, and we expect periods of rain Wednesday, Wednesday night, and into part of the day Thursday. Latest thermal profiles from global model output suggest this will be all liquid, with no snow or ice issues for Alabama, but some flurries will certainly be possible. After the rain another shot of very cold air arrives Thursday night and Friday. The pattern continues to favor cold air over the eastern half of the nation through the end of January and into February.
BEACH FORECAST CENTER: Get the latest weather and rip current forecasts for the beaches from Fort Morgan to Panama City on our Beach Forecast Center page. There, you can select the forecast of the region that you are interested in visiting.
WORLD TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: Over the last 24 hours, the highest observation outside the U.S. was 114.3F at Jervois, Australia. The lowest observation was -69.7F at Yurty, Russia.
CONTIGUOUS TEMPERATURE EXTREMES: The highest observation was 86F at McAllen, TX. The lowest observation was -36F at Ely and International Falls, MN.
WEATHER ON THIS DATE IN 1990: Thunderstorms produced large hail and damaging winds in eastern Texas and Louisiana. Tornadoes at Garland TX and Apple Springs TX each injured one person. Heavy snow spread from the Southern and Central Rockies into the Great Plains. Storm totals in New Mexico reached 36 inches at Gascon. Totals in the Central Plains ranged up to 15 inches near McCook NE and Garden City KS.
