James Spann: Warm weekend ahead for Alabama; wet early next week
RADAR CHECK: A cold front is near I-20 this afternoon, and radar continues to show showers over the northern quarter of the state, mostly over the Tennessee Valley. North of the front temperatures are in the 50s, but most south Alabama communities are well into the 70s. The front will drift northward tonight toward the Tennessee border. Most of the state will be dry overnight, with the chance of showers continuing near the front over far north Alabama.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: It will be the warmest weekend so far this year, with highs between 75 and 80 degrees. Most places will be dry Saturday and Sunday, with any showers being few and far between. The best chance of rain over the weekend will stay near the Tennessee border, but the heaviest and most widespread rain will be found over Arkansas and Tennessee.
NEXT WEEK: The front will slowly sag southward, and periods of rain along with a few thunderstorms are likely Monday through Tuesday night. Rain could be heavy at times over the northern half of the state, and a few strong storms can’t be ruled out Tuesday and Tuesday night. The weather trends drier with a clearing sky Wednesday, and for now Thursday and Friday look rain-free. Highs through the week will be mostly in the 60s, and there’s still no sign of any subfreezing temperatures for the state for the next seven to 10 days.
ON THIS DATE IN 1972: The Buffalo Creek disaster occurred in the Buffalo Creek Hollow of Logan County in West Virginia. A coal slag dam on the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek burst, sending a 50-foot wall of water down a narrow valley, killing 125 people and causing $51 million damage. Three days of rain atop a 6-inch snow cover caused the dam to break.
ON THIS DATE IN 2008: Three EF-1 tornadoes touched down across parts of Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties before dawn. Straight-line wind damage was reported across parts of east Alabama as well.
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