James Spann: Showers for southwest Alabama today; dry elsewhere
James Spann forecasts a dry day for most of Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
ON THE MAPS: A cold front is pushing into south Alabama early this morning, and we have a few showers and storms on radar over the southwest counties of the state. Showers will remain possible there through the day, but elsewhere the sky becomes partly to mostly sunny as dry air takes over. The high this afternoon will be in the mid to upper 70s; the average high for April 30 at Birmingham is 78.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will be dry statewide; with a mostly sunny sky, look for a high around 80 degrees. Clouds will increase Sunday as moisture levels begin to rise. An organized batch of rain and storms over Mississippi will move into west Alabama late Sunday afternoon, and rain and storms are likely for all of the state Sunday night.
The Storm Prediction Center has defined a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms for area near the Mississippi border Sunday night, with a marginal risk as far east as Moulton, Vance, Pine Hill and Gulf Shores.
The main threat with the storms Sunday night will come from strong, gusty winds and small hail. An isolated tornado can’t be ruled out, but isn’t likely. The rain could be heavy at times.
NEXT WEEK: A moist, unstable air mass will stay in place through much of the week. We will need to mention a chance of showers and thunderstorms daily Monday through Thursday. The rain could be heavy at times, and a few rounds of strong, possibly severe storms are possible, but defining the specific windows for the heavier activity is almost impossible at this point. Guidance from the Weather Prediction Center suggests rain amounts for much of Alabama will be 3-5 inches over the next seven days.
Drier air returns to the state Thursday night, and Friday looks like a dry, pleasant day.
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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