James Spann: Frost Advisory tonight for north, central Alabama
WINDY, COOL APRIL DAY: Temperatures are only in the 50s over the northern half of Alabama this afternoon, about 20-25 degrees below average for April 21. The sky is sunny, but a brisk northwest wind is making it feel cooler. The wind will die down tonight, and with a clear sky and light wind we project a low between 33 and 40 degrees for most of north and central Alabama early Thursday. A Frost Advisory is in effect as far south as Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, Talladega, Clay and Randolph counties.
Thursday will be another sunny day with a high in the mid 60s. We reach the upper 60s Friday with a partly sunny sky. Clouds increase Friday night.
STORMY SATURDAY: A dynamic weather system will bring rain and thunderstorms to Alabama Saturday. The main window comes from about midnight Friday night through 6 p.m. Saturday. There will be breaks in the rain, of course, but during that window strong thunderstorms are likely with potential for occasionally heavy rain.
The Storm Prediction Center maintains a risk of severe thunderstorms for central and south Alabama Saturday, for areas along and south of I-20 (Tuscaloosa to Birmingham to Anniston).
We will be much more specific about the timing of the rain Thursday, but it is possible the rain comes in two rounds — one during the morning, when isolated tornadoes are possible in the risk area defined by the SPC. An afternoon round comes ahead of a cold front, with the main threat then coming from hail and straight-line winds. Rain amounts of 1-2 inches are likely, and some flooding could develop during the day where heavier thunderstorms form.
The sky will clear Saturday night as dry air returns, and Sunday will be sunny with a high in the low to mid 70s.
NEXT WEEK: Monday and Tuesday will be dry and warm. The high will be close to 80 Monday, followed by low to mid 80s Tuesday. The next weather system will bring rain and storms back into Alabama in the Wednesday-Thursday time frame; it’s too early to know whether severe storms will be a major issue.
RACE WEEKEND: At Talladega, occasional rain and a few strong thunderstorms are likely Saturday, making it a challenge to get the races in. But Sunday will be a beautiful day for the Geico 500, with a sunny sky and a high in the mid 70s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1967: Severe thunderstorms spawned 48 tornadoes in the Upper Midwest. Hardest hit was northern Illinois, where 16 tornadoes touched down during the afternoon and evening, causing $50 million damage. On that Friday afternoon, tornadoes struck Belvidere, Illinois, and the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn, killing 58 people.
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