James Spann: Cool, calm afternoon for Alabama
CLOUDY, COOL, CALM: The sky is mostly cloudy over the northern half of Alabama this afternoon with temperatures only in the 54- to 62-degree range. A few sprinkles or patches of light rain are possible through the evening, but most of the state will be dry. Mostly cloudy and cool weather continues through Friday night, although south Alabama should see a decent amount of sun during the day Friday. The high will be in the mid to upper 50s again.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The sky becomes partly to mostly sunny Saturday with a high in the low 60s. Saturday night will be clear and cold; temperatures will drop into the 30s early Sunday morning with a good chance of frost. Colder valleys will see a light freeze. During the day Sunday, look for sunshine in full supply with a high in the upper 60s.
NEXT WEEK: Monday will be dry with a partly sunny sky and a high in the low 70s. Showers and storms return Tuesday, and as the front becomes nearly stationary showers will linger into Wednesday. A more robust system brings rain and storms Thursday and Thursday night; that one could bring potential for strong to severe thunderstorms. Drier air returns Friday.
STORM SURVEYS: National Weather Service Birmingham has identified EF-2 tornado damage in southern Chilton County, south of Pools Crossroads; winds reached 130 mph there. EF-1 tornado damage was found, with peak winds of 110 mph, at Moundville in northern Hale County. Many more storm surveys will be conducted in coming days statewide.
ON THIS DATE IN 1925: The great “Tri-State Tornado” occurred, the deadliest tornado in U.S. history. The storm claimed 695 lives (including 234 at Murphysboro, Illinois, and 148 at West Frankfort, Illinois), and caused $17 million property damage. It cut a swath of destruction 219 miles long and as much as a mile wide from east-central Missouri to southern Indiana between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The tornado leveled a school in West Frankfort, Illinois, and picked up 16 students, setting them down unharmed 150 yards away. Seven other tornadoes claimed an additional 97 lives that day.
ON THIS DATE IN 2013: An EF-1 tornado touched down in Marshall County in Boaz and moved eastward into Etowah County, moving through Sardis City. The most extensive damage occurred as the tornado approached Rowen Road. A mobile home was lifted and overturned, leaving one person seriously injured and two others with minor injuries. In this same area, two additional mobile homes were destroyed.
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 the major social networks:
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.
