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RIGHT NOW: Quite a contrast across Alabama… our SKYCAM at Demopolis shows a sunny sky with 72 degrees, while Gadsden is getting some light rain with only 48. Nothing like a 24 degree spread across our TV market to make forecasting difficult. I guess our projected high of 61 today is about correct if you average everything together, but no doubt the warmer places are west of I-65, where the sun has broken through the clouds, with the cooler readings to the east.
The overrunning type light rain we have seen today should be off the radar screen tomorrow, and accordingly everybody should warm up to near 70 degrees, with low 70s again for West Alabama. The chance of a shower tomorrow remains very small.
FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: No major change in our thinking; showers and storms will move into North Alabama Friday afternoon ahead of a cold front, which is expected to become stationary somewhere over North Alabama. A wave of low pressure forms on the front late Friday night to the west, which should keep the rain going at times into Saturday. Looks like average rain totals of one inch can be expected, with isolated amount approaching two inches.
SPC has North Alabama in a slight risk of severe weather for Friday evening, but with marginal instability we are not overly impressed with the severe weather threat at this point. Of course, we have to watch any thunderstorm setup this time of the year.
The rain will end late in the day Saturday, and Sunday will be windy and colder with a clearing sky. The 12Z run of the GFS brings rapid clearing to Alabama early Sunday, with all of the wrap around moisture well to the northeast. The high Sunday will be only in the 47 to 51 degree range with a chilly north wind. A pretty decent freeze is likely by Monday morning.
NEXT WEEK: After the Monday morning freeze, temperatures recover nicely, with upper 50s likely Monday afternoon, followed by low 60s on Tuesday. A fresh surge of cooler air arrives Wednesday, and at this point it looks like we will be dry for much of the week.
STORM ALERT 2009: Don’t forget our last show will be tomorrow night at the Cullman Civic Center at 7:00… we hope to see you there!
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I had a great time at Tuscaloosa Academy this morning… I saw the entire student body and they were just great. Be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…
