James Spann: A few showers for Alabama later today, tonight; cooler Tuesday
James Spann forecasts some showers for Alabama from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
COLD FRONT GETTING CLOSER: Temperatures will rise into the 80s again today across Alabama with a mix of sun and clouds, but we will bring in a chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm this afternoon and tonight ahead of a cold front. The broad risk of showers will come from about 3 p.m. today until 6 a.m. Tuesday; the heaviest rain totals will come over the northwest corner of the state, where some places could see more than one-half inch. But for most of the state, amounts will be well under that amount.
The Storm Prediction Center has defined a very low-end marginal risk (level 1 out of 5) of severe thunderstorms for northwest Alabama late this afternoon and early tonight, but there is no risk of a tornado and no risk of hail. A storm or two could produce gusty winds, but we aren’t expecting any meaningful severe weather issues.
Showers will end early Tuesday, followed by gradual clearing. The day will be noticeably cooler, with a high between 68 and 72 degrees.
REST OF THE WEEK: The weather will be dry around here over the latter half of the week with mostly sunny days, fair nights and a warming trend. The high will be in the mid 70s Wednesday, close to 80 Thursday and in the low to mid 80s Friday.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Moisture levels will rise a bit over the weekend, and we will mention some risk of spotty showers Saturday and Sunday. But for now we aren’t expecting the rain to be widespread or heavy. Both days will feature a mix of sun and clouds with a high between 81 and 85 degrees.
NEXT WEEK: The highest chance of rain should come around the middle of next week, when a cold front will push through the state; highs will remain mostly in the low to mid 80s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1880: A violent tornado, at times up to 400 yards wide, swept away at least 20 homes in Macon, Mississippi. Pieces of houses were found 15 miles away. Twenty-two people died and 72 were injured. Loaded freight cars were thrown 100 yards into homes. Clothes were carried for eight miles.
ON THIS DATE IN 1912: An estimated F4 tornado struck Ponca City, Oklahoma. One person was killed and 119 homes were damaged or destroyed. Dozens of oil derricks were flattened or twisted southwest of town. The tornado was reportedly visible and audible for 20 miles.
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