MILD AFTERNOON: Temperatures are in the 70s over the southern half of Alabama this afternoon with a good supply of sunshine. Clouds are increasing over the northern counties, where we are seeing readings in the 65-71 degree range.
Expect periods of rain across the northern 2/3 of Alabama late tonight into tomorrow morning. The main window for showers will come from about 10:00 tonight through 10:00 tomorrow morning; rain amounts will be 1/2 inch or less for most places. A few spotty showers will linger over the southern counties of the state tomorrow afternoon.
Some clearing is possible after the showers end tomorrow; the high will be in the 60s.
Thursday and Friday are looking dry and pleasant with highs generally in the 60s; some South Alabama communities could touch 70 degrees.
WET WEEKEND: A dynamic system will bring a soaking rain to Alabama and the Deep South this weekend. New model guidance suggests the rain window for the most widespread rain will come from noon Saturday to noon Sunday, although a few showers could linger into the afternoon hours. Rain amounts of 1-2 inches are likely.
While a thunderstorm is possible over South Alabama over the weekend, we are not expecting severe thunderstorms thanks to a stable airmass in place.
NEXT WEEK: The first half of the week will be dry, new model runs this morning suggest some rain will return to the state Thursday or Thursday night. Spring-like weather continues with highs in the upper 60s and 70s. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1959: St. Louis, Missouri, was hit by a massive F4 tornado that killed 21 and injured 345. Over 2000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the St. Louis Arena.
ON THIS DATE IN 1981: A morning tornado at Bay Minette struck the local middle school severely damaging the gymnasium. The tornado hurt 62 people were injured, 44 of whom were students.
ON THIS DATE IN 2013: A large multiple-vortex EF-4 tornado devastated the cities of West Hattiesburg, Hattiesburg, and Petal, Mississippi. The tornado was one of eight that touched down in southern Mississippi and southwestern Alabama that day. It reached a maximum path width of 0.75 miles in its path through the Hattiesburg area and reached estimated maximum sustained winds of 170 mph in the Oak Grove neighborhood of West Hattiesburg. It destroyed many structures and impacted University of Southern Mississippi and two high schools. Two EF1 tornadoes touched down across Washington and Clarke Counties in Alabama. These tornadoes removed roofs from homes, severely damaged a few mobile homes, and downed many trees, including numerous pine trees that were snapped.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
