James Spann: Rain returns to north, central Alabama Friday
James Spann forecasts a dry day, then some rain for Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
RADAR CHECK: We noticed a few sprinkles on radar early this morning, but most of those dissipated just before daybreak and most of Alabama will enjoy another dry, very mild day today. With a mix of sun and clouds, we are looking for a high between 68 and 73 degrees this afternoon. Clouds will increase again tonight and rain is likely over the northern half of the state after midnight and into the day Friday with a cold front drifting into the state.
A few strong storms are possible over the northwest part of the state, where the Storm Prediction Center has defined a marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms Friday north of a line from Hamilton to Huntsville. A few storms there could produce gusty winds and small hail.
Rain will taper off from south to north during the midday and afternoon Friday. The high will be in the low 70s for south Alabama, 60s for the central counties and the upper 50s for the Tennessee Valley.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The front will hang around the Alabama-Tennessee state line. Widespread rain, heavy at times, is likely for much of Tennessee and Arkansas, but south of the front Alabama will experience the warmest weekend so far this year, with highs between 75 and 80 degrees. The sky will be generally cloudy and a few scattered showers are possible both days, but certainly not a washout. The most widespread rain in Alabama over the weekend will come over the Tennessee Valley.
NEXT WEEK: The front will meander around Alabama much of the week, meaning generally cloudy weather with several rounds of showers. The European global model hints that strong, possibly severe thunderstorms could become an issue Tuesday with a good amount of surface-based instability across the state. Highs will be mostly in the 60s and low 70s through the week.
ON THIS DATE IN 1934: An outbreak of six tornadoes killed 19 in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The hardest-hit communities were Bowden, Georgia, and Shady Grove, Alabama, in Pike County. One person died in a tornado near Calera. One home in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, was picked up, thrown 400 feet and blown to bits. Six family members were killed in the house.
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