RADAR CHECK: Most of the showers on radar this afternoon are across Alabama in a broad zone from Mobile to Dothan. We also note a few showers over East Alabama around Opelika. The rest of the state is enjoying a good supply of sunshine; temperatures remain well above average in the 72-82 degree range. At one point today Mobile soared to 85 degrees, the warmest temperature on record for the month of February.
Showers will expand northward tonight into the northern half of the state as a surface front lifts northward as a warm front.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: That front gets a good southward push tomorrow. Showers over North Alabama early in the day will shift quickly into the southern part of the state. A thunderstorm is possible tomorrow afternoon across South Alabama, where SPC has defined a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms, but with weak wind fields the severe risk is very low.
There will be a large temperature spread across Alabama due to the front; during the afternoon the range will be from the low 50s over the Tennessee Valley to the low 80s over the far southern part of the state.
Sunday will be breezy and much colder with a sunny sky. Highs will be in the 47-57 degree range.
NEXT WEEK: A freeze is likely for much of Alabama both Monday and Tuesday morning with lows generally in the 20s. Some of the colder pockets over North Alabama could reach the upper teens early Tuesday. The weather will be warmer over the latter half of the week with highs back in the 60s and low 70s. A surface front will bring rain to the state Thursday; it doesn’t look like a severe weather setup, and there is no cold air behind this front. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1912: A strong area of low pressure produced snow in Amarillo and high winds to Austin, Texas. In the warm sector of the low, severe storms developed and produced an estimated F3 tornado in Shreveport, Louisiana. The tornado killed nine people and injured 50 others.
ON THIS DATE IN 1989: A storm system brought 17 tornadoes to the Deep South on February 20 and 21. Four F2 tornadoes touched down in northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. One caused significant damage near Sulligent.
Look for my next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. Monday… enjoy the weekend!
