DRY DAYS: Drier air is over Alabama this morning; we will forecast a partly sunny sky today with a high in the low to mid 70s. We expect a field of cumulus clouds this afternoon, but the low levels are just too dry for any rain.
The weekend will be delightful. Sunshine in full supply both days; the high tomorrow will be in the 75-78 degree range, but Sunday will be a bit cooler with a high in the low 70s.
RACE WEEKEND: Today at the Talladega Superspeedway the sky will be partly sunny day with a high in the low 70s. Then, the weather could not be any better for the weekend. Sunny tomorrow and Sunday; temperatures reach the mid 70s tomorrow followed by a high in the low 70s Sunday for the Geico 500.
MULLET TOSS: The annual event at the Flora-Bama draws huge crowds, and the weekend on the Gulf Coast will be spectacular. Sunny days, fair nights through Sunday with highs in the 70s. Water temperatures in the Gulf are running in the mid 70s.
NEXT WEEK: A building upper ridge will bring the warmest weather so far this year to Alabama as May begins. Monday’s high will be near 80, followed by low 80s Tuesday, and mid 80s Wednesday and Thursday. The ridge will also keep us dry most of the week.
To the west of Alabama, a significant severe weather event is likely by mid-week across the Great Plains. SPC is already showing an enhanced risk potential on their Day 6 outlook for Wednesday…
The upper trough responsible for this is expected to weaken and lift well to the north of Alabama; it will push a band of showers and storms into our state Friday of next week (May 4), but for now severe storms don’t look likely here. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE SEVEN YEARS AGO: A generational tornado outbreak for Alabama. A total of 62 tornadoes, responsible for 252 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. A morning round of storms with damaging winds and tornadoes was responsible for knocking out power to almost a quarter of a million people in the state. But it got even more serious later in the day.
There were three EF-5 tornadoes… one of them slammed into Hackleburg, destroying subdivisions, Hackleburg High School and the Wranger Plant. It continues on, with wind speeds reaching 210 m.p.h., leaving a trail of devastation in Phil Campbell and Tanner. The storm travels approximately 132 miles through six counties, killing 72 people and inflicting $1.2 billion in damage.
The EF-4 that moved through Tuscaloosa, and communities around the Birmingham metro like Concord, Pleasant Grove, and Pratt City, killed 65 and injured over 1,500. Another EF-4 tore through Cullman; it was on the ground for 47 miles.
One thing we learned that day… physical science is not enough. The loss of life was incredibly high despite excellent warnings for all 62 tornadoes. Social science knowledge must be blended in to make the warning process better.
BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
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I have a weather program this morning at Memorial Park Elementary in Jasper… look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!
