James Spann: Alabama gets a few scattered strong storms Saturday

Published On: 05.04.18 |

By: James Spann

James Spann: Alabama gets a few scattered strong storms Saturday

SUMMER PREVIEW CONTINUES: With a good supply of sunshine, temperatures are in the mid 80s across much of north and central Alabama again this afternoon. There’s nothing on radar, but clouds will increase tonight ahead of a surface front approaching from the northwest.

A FEW SCATTERED STORMS TOMORROW: We are forecasting a mix of sun and clouds tomorrow with the potential for a few scattered showers and thunderstorms. With some surface-based instability, a few of the storms that form could be strong; the Storm Prediction Center has defined a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) for parts of north and west Alabama.

Where storms form, they could produce gusty winds. The tornado threat is pretty much nonexistent. If you have something planned outdoors tomorrow:

Showers and storms will be rather random and scattered.
The best coverage will come over the northwest part of the state.
Some north and central Alabama communities will see no rain at all.
Rain amounts should be mostly light and spotty; heavier totals will be near the Tennessee border.
The sun will be out at times, and the high will be in the 77- to 80-degree range.

Drier air filters into the state Sunday; the day looks dry with a high close to 80 degrees and a partly to mostly sunny sky.

NEXT WEEK: The upper ridge holds, and the week looks pretty quiet around here — mostly dry and warm with highs in the 80- to 85-degree range. We might see a few isolated showers on a day or two, but many places will be dry.

TROPICS: A disturbance over the Bahamas is being produced by an upper low and associated surface front. It is drifting westward toward the Florida Peninsula (not the Panhandle); no development is expected.