James Spann: Cooler, calmer weather for Alabama today
James Spann forecasts a drier but windy day for Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
RADAR CHECK: Showers and thunderstorms continue early this morning over far east and southeast Alabama; a few severe storms were over the southeast corner of the state. A tornado warning was in effect for parts of Dale, Houston and Henry counties just before daybreak.
Most of the rain will be into Georgia by 9 a.m. Clouds will linger across the state today as an upper trough swings through, and it could squeeze out a few scattered showers over the northern third of the state this afternoon. The day will be cooler, with a high in the mid 60s for most communities; the average high for Birmingham on March 18 is 67.
Today will be windy; expect a west wind of 12-22 mph, with higher gusts possible. A Wind Advisory is in effect for much of central Alabama.
Tonight and Friday will be mostly cloudy and cool; the high Friday afternoon will be between 55 and 60 degrees over the northern half of the state. There might be a touch of light rain near the Georgia border in spots, but most of Alabama will be dry.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The sky becomes partly to mostly sunny Saturday with a high around 60 degrees. Sunday morning will be clear and cold, with lows in the mid to upper 30s; some frost is likely over the northern half of the state and colder valleys might see a light freeze. Then, during the day Sunday, expect a sunny sky with a high in the mid 60s.
NEXT WEEK: Monday will feature a partly sunny sky with a high in the upper 60s. Clouds return Tuesday along with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. For now the severe weather potential with this system looks low, but a strong storm is very possible. The surface front hangs up and showers will remain possible Wednesday. Another upper-air wave will bring a chance of more strong thunderstorms to the state either Thursday or Friday.
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.
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