James Spann: Strong to severe storms possible in Alabama today; much colder Friday
James Spann forecasts an active weather day for Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
ACTIVE WEATHER: A complex storm system will continue to produce rain, snow and icy conditions over the eastern half of the nation today. A cold front is near the northwest tip of Alabama early this morning; behind the front Memphis is down to 32 degrees with an Ice Storm Warning in effect. The front has become nearly stationary and most of Alabama will remain in mild temperatures today. Parts of west Alabama could touch 70 degrees this afternoon.
Showers are possible this morning, and we expect heavier thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center has now defined a slight risk (level 2 of 5) for areas southwest of Birmingham, including places like Tuscaloosa, Brent, Marion, Greensboro, Eutaw, Demopolis, Butler and Thomasville. A marginal risk (level 1 of 5) covers most of the rest of the state.
TIMING: The main window for severe thunderstorms across Alabama today will come from around noon until 7 p.m.
THREATS: The main threat will come from strong straight-line winds, but an isolated tornado or two is very possible in the slight risk area southwest of Birmingham. Heavy rain is likely as well; a Flood Watch remains in effect for roughly the northern half of Alabama today. Additional rain amounts of 1-2 inches are likely; many spots had more than 1 inch of rain Wednesday.
Just be sure you can hear severe weather watches and warnings if they become necessary later today.
MUCH COLDER FRIDAY: The cold front gets a southward push tonight and much colder air will flood the state Friday. Most places from I-20 north will hold in the 30s all day, with 40s for south Alabama. There could be a brief period of light freezing rain or drizzle over some northern counties early Friday morning; for now no major or widespread impact is expected, but we will be watching for any signs of bridge icing. Rain will end early in the day over the northern counties, and showers Friday afternoon will shift into south Alabama.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: The weekend will be dry across Alabama. Saturday will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high in the upper 40s, and Sunday will be partly to mostly sunny with a high in the 50s.
NEXT WEEK: The week continues to look rain-free with seasonal temperatures; on most days highs will be in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1959: At 12:55 a.m. Central Time, a plane took off from runway 17 at the Mason City, Iowa, airport, carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. At the time of departure, the weather was reported as light snow, a ceiling of 3,000 feet with sky obscured, visibility 6 miles and winds from 20 to 30 mph. Around 9:35 a.m., Hubert Jerry Dwyer spotted the wreckage less than 6 miles northwest of the airport. The three musicians and the pilot died from this crash.
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