James Spann: Alabama stays dry through the weekend
James Spann forecasts one more day of below-average temperatures in Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
SUNNY DAYS: With a clear sky, temperatures are mostly between 37 and 45 degrees across Alabama this morning. We expect a high today in the mid to upper 60s; the average high for Birmingham on April 19 is 76.
The weather will stay dry through the rest of the week with a big warming trend beginning Wednesday afternoon. Look for a high in the mid 70s Wednesday, low 80s Thursday and mid 80s Friday. Then, we will enjoy the warmest weekend so far this year; the high will be between 83 and 88 degrees Saturday and Sunday with a partly to mostly sunny sky. It will feel like summer.
NEXT WEEK: Moisture begins to return Monday and a few widely scattered showers could break out across the state, but the next good chance of showers and storms will come Tuesday as a cold front approaches. For now it doesn’t look like a severe weather setup, and cooler air returns for the latter half of the week, with highs back in the 70s.
RAIN UPDATE: Here are rain totals since Jan. 1, and the departure from average:
- Birmingham — 27.76 inches (8.97 inches above average)
- Huntsville — 27.42 (9.05 above average)
- Muscle Shoals — 24.41 (6.86 above average)
- Tuscaloosa — 23.36 (5.1 above average)
- Anniston — 20.71 (2.69 above average)
- Montgomery — 20.64 (3.39 above average)
- Mobile — 17.31 (1.68 below average)
- Dothan — 15.46 (1.95 below average)
ON THIS DATE IN 1986: A major storm system produced 10 tornadoes in Texas, one of which virtually annihilated the town of Sweetwater. The tornado struck at the unlikely time of 7:17 a.m. One person was killed and 100 were injured.
ON THIS DATE IN 2020: A severe thunderstorm developed quickly over Chilton County north of Clanton, with significant straight-line wind. Extensive wind damage began just west of Thorsby and Jemison, where maximum winds were estimated in the range of 80 to 90 mph. The damage continued eastward through Coosa County and Tallapoosa County, where maximum winds were estimated in the range of 70 to 80 mph. The damage, as confirmed by a National Weather Service survey team, was the result of straight-line wind and consisted of numerous snapped and uprooted hardwood and softwood trees; trees falling onto structures; trees falling onto campers, especially in Wind Creek State Park, where several were crushed; damage to roofs, siding, overhangs, awnings and outbuildings; and a case of wind-driven hail causing severe exterior damage to buildings in the Kellyton area of Coosa County. At least three injuries were reported, all in Tallapoosa County.
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