James Spann: Mostly dry weather continues for Alabama through the weekend
QUIET PATTERN: We have a few high-altitude cirrus clouds over Alabama this afternoon, but the low levels remain dry and there is no rain in progress statewide. Temperatures are mostly in the low 70s; the average high for Birmingham on March 9 is 65. Tonight will be mostly fair and cool with a low in the 40s.
Not much change in the weather is expected Wednesday through Friday — partly sunny days, fair nights and warm afternoons. Highs will be in the mid 70s Wednesday and between 77 and 82 degrees Thursday and Friday. A few isolated showers could show up over the northwest corner of the state Friday, but most of Alabama will stay dry.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Warm and mostly dry weather will continue. A few isolated showers are possible over the Tennessee Valley both days, but the rest of the state will be dry with partly sunny days and highs between 77 and 82. Clouds will increase Sunday night ahead of an approaching storm system that will bring the chance of severe storms during the day Sunday to much of Arkansas, Louisiana and the eastern portions of Oklahoma and Texas.
NEXT WEEK: Showers and storms will move into Alabama Monday, but, with weakening wind fields and little instability, for now the overall threat of severe thunderstorms is looking low. The surface front will become stationary, which will prolong the chance of rain at times through at least midweek, possibly all the way through Friday.
TIME CHANGE: We go back on Daylight Saving Time this weekend; we lose an hour of sleep as the clocks will be moved forward one hour Saturday night. Sunset time Sunday evening at Birmingham will be 6:54 p.m.
ON THIS DATE IN 1957: An earthquake measuring a magnitude 8.6 struck the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. A Pacific-wide tsunami was generated that caused damage in Hawaii, but fortunately no lives were lost. Hardest hit was the island of Kauai, where houses were destroyed and roads washed away. Waves reached 34.1 feet high at Haena, Hawaii.
ON THIS DATE IN 2011: Moderate to heavy rainfall spread across Alabama, resulting in widespread flash flooding and river flooding. Rainfall totals ranged from around 6 inches in western Alabama to 2 to 4 inches elsewhere. In addition, a line of thunderstorms with areas of embedded rotation moved through central Alabama, knocking down trees and power lines and causing structural damage at several locations.
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:
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.
