PLEASANT FEBRUARY AFTERNOON: For most of Alabama temperatures are between 66 and 76 degrees this afternoon with a partly to mostly sunny sky; clouds are thicker across the Tennessee Valley, where temperatures are holding in the 50s. Most of the rain on radar is across the state line in Tennessee.The surface front over the northwest corner of Alabama will move southward tonight, bringing a band of showers to the northern half of the state after midnight. Showers will linger through mid-morning Friday; amounts should be less than one-half inch, and there is no risk of severe thunderstorms. Some clearing is possible Friday afternoon and the day will be much cooler, with a high in the mid 50s.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Most of the day Saturday will be dry. With a mostly cloudy sky, the high will be between 50 and 55 degrees. We can’t rule out a few isolated showers, but they should be few and far between. Rain becomes likely Saturday night into Sunday morning over the northern half of the state as a wave of low pressure rides along the front to the south. By Sunday afternoon the best chance of showers will shift into south Alabama; the high Sunday will be in the mid 50s for most places.

NEXT WEEK: For now the week looks dry with pleasant afternoons and cool nights. Highs will be generally in the 60s; the next chance of rain will most likely be at some point over the following weekend, March 5-6. We see no risk of severe thunderstorms or winter weather woes for Alabama for the next seven to 10 days.ON THIS DATE IN 1961: An F2 tornado moved through Russell County in east Alabama. It first touched down in Hurtsboro and moved east-northeast. It hit southern Wende, before moving directly through the town of Hatchechubbee, which was heavily damaged. It then hit northern Colbert before moving through Seale, which was also heavily damaged. The tornado then struck southern Lato before striking Nuckols, again causing heavy damage. It then crossed over Lake Bickerstaff and dissipated in Flournoys. Although it moved mostly through rural areas, the tornado left several homes obliterated, while others were heavily damaged and many trees were blown down or broken off. Four people were injured.

ON THIS DATE IN 2001: More than a dozen tornadoes spawned in central and eastern Arkansas. The strongest (F3) was in Desha County, with parts of a farm shop found six miles away from where it was blown apart. An 18-month-old was killed in Fulton County by an F2 tornado.

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