Published On: 05.07.18 | 

By: James Spann

James Spann: Warm, generally dry pattern for Alabama

James Spann forecasting warm weather in Alabama this week from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

QUIET MAY WEATHER PATTERN: We are starting off this Monday with temperatures in the 50s; with a good supply of sunshine we rise into the mid 80s this afternoon. A weak surface front is in the area, and there is some risk a few isolated showers could pop up this afternoon, but the chance of any one spot getting wet is only around 10 percent.

MIDWEEK: Warm, dry weather is the story tomorrow and Wednesday. The sky will remain mostly sunny both days with highs in the mid 80s. We will mention isolated afternoon storms Thursday as the ridge weakens slightly, but again most north and central Alabama communities will remain dry.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: The calm pattern continues as the primary storm track across North America is well to the north. Expect mostly sunny, warm days and fair nights Friday through the weekend with highs well up in the 80s. Some spots could touch 90 this weekend, especially over the western counties of the state.

NEXT WEEK: A surface front will bring a chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm next Monday, but severe storms are not expected. The rest of the week looks fairly dry as the quiet May pattern continues.

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.

BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.

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For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.