RADAR CHECK: We have seen a few very small, very brief, isolated showers over the northern half of the state today, but for most places the weather is simply sunny and warm with temperatures in the 80s. Any isolated showers will end soon after sunset… tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 58-64 degree range.
Look for a summer preview across Alabama tomorrow as temperatures approach the 90 degree mark… close to record levels for mid-April.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will be another warm day with a high in the 80s. A few showers are possible by afternoon across the Tennessee Valley, but the best chance of showers and a few thunderstorms will come Saturday night into Sunday morning as a cold front passes through. No severe storms expected with weak dynamic support and limited instability. We have revised forecast rain amounts upward across the Tennessee Valley… a few spots there could see one inch of rain. Amounts will be lighter to the south, and as the showers fizzle out Sunday many Southeast Alabama communities won’t see a drop.
Sunday will be much cooler with highs in the mid to upper 60s over the northern half of the state… the southern counties will see a high in the low to mid 70s.
NEXT WEEK: The first half of the week will be dry with pleasant days and cool nights. Global models continue to suggest showers and storms will return to the Deep South by Friday and Saturday (April 24-25)… but it is way too early to be specific about rain amounts or any potential severe thunderstorm threat. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1998: An F3 tornado hit downtown Nashville, Tennessee. One person was killed and 60 were injured. The storm was one of 23 tornadoes to hit Tennessee on that date, including an F5 in Lawrence County that leveled brick homes. The tornado was on the ground for over 60 miles. 3 people were killed in Wayne County, TN.
The same day eleven tornadoes touched down across Alabama, all rated F0 or F1. One of these tornadoes touched down in Cullman County just north of Arkadelphia… it traveled northeastward moving across the northern side of the Colony community. It crossed Interstate 65 at the 294-mile marker before ending.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
