James Spann: Dry Saturday for Alabama; storms return late Sunday
QUIET AFTERNOON: Most of Alabama is rain-free this afternoon, but we do note a few isolated showers over west-central Alabama and a cluster of heavier showers over Mobile Bay. We have filtered sunshine through high cirrus clouds, and temperatures are mostly in the mid to upper 70s. The average high for Birmingham on April 30 is 78.
THE WEEKEND: Saturday will be dry statewide; with a mostly sunny sky we expect a high between 77 and 80 degrees. On Sunday, clouds will increase during the day and a few showers could reach the northern and western counties by mid to late afternoon. An organized batch of rain and storms will arrive Sunday night; the Storm Prediction Center maintains a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms near the Mississippi border, with a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) as far east as Moulton, Vance, Pine Hill and Gulf Shores.
Instability will be limited; the main threat with the storms Sunday night will come from gusty winds and small hail.
NEXT WEEK: Wet, unsettled weather is the story for Alabama Monday through Thursday. There will be some good breaks in the rain and the sun will break out at times, but there will be some risk of showers and thunderstorms daily. The rain could be heavy at times, and one or two rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are possible, but it is still too early to define the specific timing of the heaviest rain and strong storms. Rain amounts between Sunday and Thursday will be 3 to 5 inches for much of the state; some flooding could very well develop.
Drier air pushes into the state Thursday night, and for now Friday, May 7, looks rain-free.
ON THIS DATE IN 1924: A significant tornado outbreak occurred from Alabama to Virginia on April 29-30. Twenty-six tornadoes were of F2 intensity or greater. A total of 111 people were killed and more than 1,100 injured. An estimated F4 tornado tore through Steedman and Horrell Hill, South Carolina, killing 55 people.
ON THIS DATE IN 1953: An F4 tornado 300 yards wide leveled homes on the north side of Warner Robins, Georgia, and barracks on the south side of the Warner Robins Air Force Base. Nineteen people were killed and 300 were injured. Estimated damage was $15 million.
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