COLD, DRY FEBRUARY DAY: Temperatures are in the 40s and 50s across Alabama this afternoon with a sunny sky; we do note a few mid levels clouds creeping into toe Tennessee Valley. Tonight will be generally fair with a low between 27 and 35 degrees.
The weather stays dry tomorrow, and the day will be warmer with highs in the 60s as far north as Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Anniston.
THE WEEKEND: For a change we don’t have to worry about snow, ice, heavy rain, or severe thunderstorms. Saturday will be sunny and cooler with a high between 45 and 55 degrees. Then, on Sunday, after a cold start temperatures rise into the 50s and 60s with a good supply of sunshine.
NEXT WEEK: We expect a spring preview with highs in the 60s across North Alabama, with low 70s for the southern counties. There could be a few sprinkles around Wednesday or Thursday, but at this point most of the week looks dry. Global models have backed off on the idea of a vigorous system at the end of the week; both the European and American global models are now showing a dry day on Friday February 13.
And, no sign of any snow or ice issues for the Deep South for the next 10-15 days. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 2008: The “Super Tuesday” tornado outbreak was underway. It generated 87 tornadoes over 15 hours from the afternoon of February 5 until the early morning of February 6. The storm system produced several destructive tornadoes in heavily populated areas, most notably in the Memphis metropolitan area, in Jackson, Tennessee, and the northeastern end of the Nashville metropolitan area. A total of 57 people were killed across four states and 18 counties, with hundreds of others injured.
A supercell that developed over Starkville, Mississippi, and tracked over Lamar, Marion and Fayette Counties in Alabama spawned a tornado in Lawrence County at 3:02 a.m. CST (February 6). The tornado touched down south of Moulton near the Bankhead National Forest. Many houses were damaged or destroyed, and a church was leveled. Four people died; Greg and Becky Coleman and their 19-year-old son, Gereck, were killed at their home in Aldridge Grove. In the Fairfield Community, 86-year-old Faye Nell Long McCulloch was thrown from her mobile home. She died at the hospital later that night.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
