SPRING-LIKE WEEK: With a sunny sky, temperatures will rise into the 68-76 degree range across Alabama this afternoon…. about ten degrees above average for mid-February. No real change tomorrow; most places will see a high in the 70s with a good supply of sunshine.
Moisture levels will rise, and we will being in the chance of a few widely scattered showers Wednesday and Thursday. Nothing heavy or widespread; highs remain mostly in the 70s. However, we do note some parts of Central and South Alabama could touch the 80s degree mark by Thursday afternoon.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: There is considerable model spread in the forecast solution for the end of the week, but for now we will mention a good chance of showers Friday, possibly a thunderstorm (but no severe storm risk) as a cold front approaches. Ahead of the front, highs will be mostly in the 70s Friday afternoon.
The American global model (GFS) keeps a chance of rain in place for Saturday, but the European (ECMWF) suggests the day will be dry, and we will go with the drier solution in the forecast for now. High confidence Sunday will be dry, but the day will be a little cooler with highs mostly in the 60s.
NEXT WEEK: Cooler air continues to drop into the Deep South early next week; highs will be in the 50s for most of the state Monday, and morning lows will be at or below freezing for the northern half of the state both Monday and Tuesday morning. But, we warm up quickly with high returning to the 70s by Thursday and Friday. The weather will be dry for the first half of the week; some risk of rain will likely return by Thursday/Friday (Feb 26-27)… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1995: Three tornadoes touched down in Alabama; the strongest was a devastating F3 that tracked 14 miles through parts of Cullman and Marshall Counties. The tornado began about 3 miles west of Joppa just before 5a CT. It traveled ENE through the town, across Alabama Highway 69, and into Marshall County, just SW of Arab. The tornado moved across the south side of Arab. It moved into the rugged terrain east of this area and dissipated near Lake Guntersville.
A total of 77 dwellings and 6 businesses were destroyed in Cullman County. Joppa Elementary School was destroyed. In Marshall County 80 dwellings and 6 businesses were destroyed. There were 130 injuries reported and 6 fatalities. One death occurred in a home and the rest in mobile homes. Four of the deaths were in Arab and one in Joppa. A pregnant woman was severely injured in her mobile home and was sent into labor early. The baby died at birth.
ON THIS DATE IN 2021: Snow was on the ground over much of North and Central Alabama. Heaviest total in Alabama reported was 6 inches at Leighton. The system contributed to a historic cold wave that affected most of the Central United States. In total, the winter storm resulted in at least 29 fatalities, with 23 in the United States and six in Mexico.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
