RADAR CHECK: We have a few small, isolated showers on radar this afternoon; otherwise today is mostly sunny and warm, with temperatures in the 80s across Alabama.
The small showers will end once the sun goes down; tonight will be mostly fair with lows between 57 and 61 early tomorrow morning.
MIDWEEK: Tomorrow and Wednesday will be warm and dry with a good supply of sunshine; we project a high in the mid 80s both days, just a few degrees above average for mid May. We will mention the chance of a shower in a few spots late Thursday afternoon; the best coverage will be over the Tennessee Valley of far north Alabama. Once again, temperatures should reach the mid 80s Thursday afternoon.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: We are forecasting mostly sunny, warm days and fair nights, with highs 86-90 and lows in the 60s.
NEXT WEEK: A disturbance over northeast Florida could bring a few showers to parts of east Alabama Monday afternoon, and a cold front could push showers into the northern half of Alabama Monday night. But the overall pattern still looks quiet with only a few widely scattered showers later in the week. Highs will remain in the 80s.
ON THIS DATE 15 YEARS AGO: Severe storms, tornadoes and severe flooding impacted parts of Alabama. One of the most significant tornadoes struck near Wedowee. Others touched down in Lamar County, near Oakman in Walker County, near Pell City and Cook Springs in St. Clair County, and near Wilsonville.
Torrential rains caused flash flooding in Walker County, where 200 feet of roadway was washed out near Parrish. A bridge was also washed out. The 5.71 inches that fell at the Birmingham Airport was a record for the date, but 9.82 inches was measured at Trussville, and we had a report of 10.5 inches off Edwards Lake Road. There was tremendous flooding in downtown Trussville, which took on the appearance of a massive lake. The Trussville Municipal Complex flooded. Several police cars and fire trucks were submerged. A mudslide blocked the entrance to Camp Coleman.
The city of Wadley, in southwestern Randolph County, became nearly isolated by the flooded Tallapoosa River. As the river there rose to record levels, the Highway 22 bridge that connects Wadley to other cities and towns to the east became completely submerged.
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