BLUE SKY: Temperatures are in the 65- to 73-degree range across north and central Alabama this afternoon, still well below the average high of 80. The air is dry and the sky is clear. Tonight will be cool and dry, with a low in the 40s.

REST OF THE WEEK: Look for a warming trend in the days ahead. We rise into the mid-70s Tuesday, low 80s Wednesday and mid-80s Thursday and Friday. The weather will be dry for most of the state, although a few isolated showers could show up over far west or north Alabama late in the week. Days will be partly sunny, nights mostly fair.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The weekend looks warm and mostly dry with a mix of sun and clouds Saturday and Sunday. Highs will be in the mid-80s both days and showers should be few and far between.

NEXT WEEK: An upper ridge will bring summer-like weather to the state, with highs in the 87- to 91-degree range along with continued dry conditions. There’s no sign of any significant rain or severe weather here anytime soon.

ON THIS DATE IN 1953: A terrifying F5 tornado ripped through downtown Waco, Texas, killing 114 people and injuring nearly 600 more. More than 850 homes, 600 businesses and 2,000 cars were destroyed or severely damaged. Losses were estimated at $41 million. The tornado is the deadliest in Texas history and the 10th deadliest in the U.S.

ON THIS DATE IN 1970: A devastating tornado struck Lubbock, Texas. The tornado, the second of two that struck the city that night, touched down around 9:30 at night southwest of downtown and moved northeast, causing terrible damage along its path, until it lifted around the Lubbock Municipal Airport shortly after 10 p.m. The tornado killed 26 people and injured more than 1,500 along its 8.5-mile track while covering about 15 square miles of Lubbock.

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