THIS WEEKEND: We’ll have a mix of sun and clouds throughout Alabama on Saturday, but other than that, it will be a near-perfect May day. Afternoon highs will make it into the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Sunday will start off decent through the morning, but winds and clouds will begin to increase during the afternoon, with showers and storms moving in during the evening and late night. Highs will be in the upper 70s to the upper 80s. Southerly winds may gust up to 25 mph at times, so hang on to your hats while outdoors.

UNSETTLED WEATHER FOR MUCH OF NEXT WEEK: Showers and a few thunderstorms will be possible across the northern half of the state on Monday, while those rain chances will be much higher across the southern half. We may have to watch for a few strong storms over the southern half as there will be some instability involved, with gusty winds and small hail possible. Highs will be in the lower 70s to the lower 80s. The active pattern continues Tuesday and scattered showers and storms will be likely at times. A strong storm can’t be ruled out over extreme southern Alabama. Highs will be in the upper 60s to the lower 80s.

Another wave of showers and storms will move across Alabama Wednesday, but these look to be just your general type, as instability will be confined to the Gulf Coast. Highs will be in the 70s. Showers and storms will continue through a good portion of Thursday but will eventually lift out during the evening and late night. Stronger storms look unlikely as instability will continue to be confined to the Gulf Coast. Highs will be in the 70s. Finally, we’ll get a nice, dry day on Friday with near-maximum sunshine. Afternoon highs will be in the 70s.

ON THIS DATE IN 1988: Thunderstorms in the Mississippi Valley spawned 57 tornadoes, including 24 in Wisconsin, and a record 22 tornadoes in one day in Iowa. There were also more than 200 reports of large hail and damaging winds. Baseball-sized hail was reported at Terre Bonne, Missouri. At Rockford, Illinois, one person was temporarily trapped inside a portable toilet toppled by thunderstorm winds gusting to 80 mph. Fortunately, not a single person was killed in the “Mother’s Day” tornado outbreak.

BEACH FORECAST CENTER: Get the latest weather and rip current forecasts for the beaches from Dauphin Island to Panama City Beach, Florida, on our Beach Forecast Center page. There, you can select the forecast of the region you are interested in.

For more weather news and information from James Spann, Scott Martin and other members of the James Spann team, visit AlabamaWx.