DELIGHTFUL MAY DAY: The sky is mostly sunny across Alabama this afternoon; temperatures are in the mid 70s, which is below average for this time of the year. Tonight will be clear and cool; most places will drop into the low 50s by daybreak. Colder spots will visit the 40s.
Tuesday will be another beautiful day; with ample sunshine the high will be in the mid 70s, and the humidity will stay low.
WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: Wednesday will be partly sunny and warmer, with a high close to 80 degrees. We will bring in a chance of widely scattered showers late Wednesday night and Thursday over the northern half of the state; moisture will be limited, and rain amounts will be light and spotty. Otherwise, Thursday will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high in the mid 80s.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: The weather heats up Friday and Saturday; both days will be dry and warm with a good supply of sunshine and a high in the 87- to 90-degree range. The sky will be partly sunny Sunday with a high in the mid 80s. We will bring in a chance of showers late Sunday and Sunday night ahead of a front. Rain should be fairly light with limited dynamic support.
NEXT WEEK: A few showers are possible Monday; otherwise the week looks mostly dry and very warm, with highs in the upper 80s most days. A ridge of high pressure will build over the Southeast, keeping things quiet and toasty.
RAIN UPDATE: Here are rain totals since Jan. 1, and the departure from average:
- Huntsville — 34.38 inches (+13.05)
- Tuscaloosa — 25.12 (+4.16)
- Birmingham — 23.54 (+2.62)
- Anniston — 23.39 (+3)
- Montgomery — 20.37 (-0.91)
ON THIS DATE IN 1980: An F3 tornado ripped directly through the center of Kalamazoo, Michigan, killing five people, injuring 79, leaving 1,200 homeless and causing $50 million in damage. The tornado passed directly over the American Bank, where a barograph reported a pressure drop of 0.59 inches.
BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
WEATHER BRAINS: You can listen to our weekly 90-minute show any time on your favorite podcast app. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including the meteorologists at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Snapchat: spannwx
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.