RADAR CHECK: Rain is fairly widespread across Alabama south of I-20 this afternoon; there are some heavier thunderstorms over the southeast counties of the state where temperatures are in the 70s. A flood watch remains in effect for Central Alabama.
WET AGAIN: A large mass of rain is over North Alabama this morning, moving slowly southward. Due to the saturated soil, NWS offices have issued a flood watch for about the northern half of Alabama through tonight; some localized flooding issues are possible as the rain falls today (amounts of around 1 inch are possible). Also, SPC maintains a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe storms for North and Central Alabama… a few storms could produce small hail and gusty winds.
RADAR CHECK: Showers and thunderstorms are over much of Alabama this morning south of I-59 (Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Gadsden), along and south of a stalled front draped over the state.
STILL WET: Large areas of light to moderate rain persist across Alabama this afternoon. The sky is cloudy, and rain will continue to fall at times tonight ahead of an upper trough.
WET IS THE WORD: As a storm system slowly approaches Alabama, we expect a widespread, soaking rain event for the state over the next 36 hours. The heaviest rain is expected along and north of I-59, where a flood watch remains in effect (north of a line from Livingston to Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Gadsden to Weiss Lake).
SOAKING RAIN AHEAD: Rain becomes widespread across Alabama tomorrow, continuing tomorrow night. Based on strong dynamic support, the rain will be steady, and moderate to heavy at times. We will maintain a good chance of rain at times on Friday, although the rain won’t be as heavy or widespread. Rain amounts between tomorrow and Friday night will be in the 2-4 inch range along and north of I-59, where a flood watch is in effect. Amounts of 1-2 inches are likely for South Alabama.
COOL DECEMBER AFTERNOON: With a partly sunny sky, temperatures are generally in the mid to upper 50s over North/Central Alabama this afternoon… we are seeing 60s over South Alabama. Clouds will thicken tonight ahead of a low pressure area in the Gulf of Mexico.
COLD, WET DECEMBER DAY WITH SOME SNOW OVER NORTH ALABAMA: As advertised early this morning, temperatures have been falling steadily across Alabama today following the passage of a cold front, and temperatures are in the mid-30s over the northern third of the state.
SNOW: As cold air deepens over North Alabama, rain will most likely change to light snow before ending late this afternoon and tonight. The change could come as early as 4:00 to 6:00 over the northwest corner of the state, but the main window comes from 6:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. Snow accumulation potential will be limited by the warm ground, but some grassy areas could see 1/2 to 1 inch in spots north of U.S. 278 (north of a line from Hamilton to Cullman to Gadsden). Roads will be just wet tonight with no travel impact; surface temperatures will be in the mid 30s.
WET START TO THE WEEKEND: Showers are over the northern third of Alabama this morning, and we will maintain the chance of rain at times today, mostly along and north of I-20. Otherwise, the sky will be cloudy with a high in the mid 60s.
TONIGHT: SPC maintains a low end, “marginal risk (level 1/5) of severe storms for all of Alabama tonight and early tomorrow morning as a cold front approaches. Severe weather parameters are not impressive; instability values are low, and lapse rates are weak. But, some of the storms along the front could produce gusty winds, and there is a small chance of a brief, isolated tornado. The window for heavier storms along the front will come from 2:00 until 8:00 a.m.
MORE BENEFICIAL RAIN: A large rain mass covers Alabama this morning ahead of a storm system and cold front over the nation’s mid-section. Periods of rain and a few thunderstorms will continue statewide through tomorrow morning, and some of the storms could be strong.
TOMORROW: The warm front will move up into far southern Tennessee, and very moist airmass will remain over Alabama. It won’t rain all day, but occasional showers and thunderstorms are likely. SPC has introduced a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) for most of the state, with the exception of the Tennessee Valley…
James Spann
@spann
