James Spann: A few scattered showers, storms for Alabama through Friday
James Spann forecasts a few showers and storms, then a beautiful Alabama weekend from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
RADAR CHECK: While most of Alabama is dry this morning, we have a cluster of rogue showers over parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties around sunrise. We expect a mix of sun and clouds today, with potential for more scattered showers or storms this afternoon and this evening. Odds of any one particular location seeing rain today over the northern half of the state is 20-25%, and the high will be in the mid 80s.
Coverage of scattered showers and storms will be higher Friday afternoon and night as a cold front approaches the state, and some of the storms could be strong. The Storm Prediction Center maintains a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for areas along and north of I-59.
Heavier thunderstorms could produce gusty winds and small hail; most of the storms will come from about 1 until 10 p.m. The high Friday will be in the low to mid 80s with the sky occasionally cloudy.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Cooler, drier air will settle into the state Saturday, setting the stage for a delightful holiday weekend. Look for sunny, pleasant days and clear, cool nights Saturday through Monday. Highs drop into the 70s over north Alabama Saturday and Sunday, and cooler spots will likely reach the 40s early Sunday morning. The high Monday will rise into the mid 80s as a warming trend begins.
REST OF NEXT WEEK: A few isolated showers are possible Tuesday as moisture begins to return, but showers and storms become more likely Wednesday through Friday with the approach of an upper trough. Highs will remain in the 80s.
SEC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: A brief shower can’t be ruled out this afternoon or this evening in Hoover, but otherwise look for a partly sunny sky today with a high in the 80s. A passing shower or thunderstorm is possible Friday afternoon or night; then the sky will be sunny Saturday and Sunday with no rain worries. Highs drop into the mid to upper 70s over the weekend in Hoover.
TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains quiet; tropical storm formation is not expected through the weekend. The official start to the Atlantic season is next Tuesday.
ON THIS DATE IN 1973: An F4 tornado touched down northeast of Demopolis and traveled northeastward across central Alabama. The tornado produced significant damage in Greensboro, Brent, Centreville, Montevallo, Columbiana, Wilsonville, Childersburg and many areas in between. It lifted near Mount Cheaha. In Greensboro, 72 people were injured and one person was killed. Ninety percent of the town of Brent was destroyed, killing five people and injuring 56. In all, 216 buildings were destroyed, 570 buildings were damaged, 97 mobile homes were destroyed and 45 businesses were damaged or destroyed. More than 12,000 acres of timber was destroyed.
The same evening an F3 touched down northeast of Tarrant and traveled through Center Point, where most of the damage from this storm occurred. One person was killed, and 32 frame homes and 48 mobile homes were destroyed. More than 300 homes sustained minor damage in this area, as well. The storm then continued northeast, passing south of Springville, near St. Clair Springs, just to the north of Ashville and lifted near Gadsden.
BEACH FORECAST:Â Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
WEATHER BRAINS: You can listen to our weekly 90-minute show any time on your favorite podcast app. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including the meteorologists at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on the major social networks:
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.
