SUNNY FRIDAY: We are forecasting a high in the 64-72 degree range across Alabama this afternoon with a good supply of sunshine. We will begin to see an increase in clouds across the state tomorrow ahead of an approaching storm system, but most of the day will be dry with only small, isolated showers. Temperatures reach the upper 60s and low 70s tomorrow afternoon.
SUNDAY: A good rain event is ahead for Alabama Sunday… most places will see at least one inch of rain. There will be little to no surface based instability across most of the state, but there is a window Sunday morning when a few strong storms are possible near the Gulf Coast over Mobile and Baldwin counties. With limited instability and weakening dynamics, the overall severe threat for the Gulf Coast is relatively low, but we will still keep a close eye on thunderstorms there Sunday morning.
SPC has actually defined a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms as far north as Birmingham, but we believe the risk will be limited to far South Alabama Sunday.
NEXT WEEK: It will be the warmest week so far this year. Highs will be generally in the 70s, but some South Alabama communities could reach the low 80s by mid-week. Most of the week will be dry, although a few isolated showers could show up by Friday. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1899: One of the coldest air masses ever observed in the U.S. made it all the way to the Gulf Coast. It was 7F in New Orleans and Pensacola. Mobile dropped to a numbing -1F. The reading of -2F at Tallahassee still is the state’s coldest reading ever.
Birmingham dropped to -10F… the coldest temperature on record for the city. At the time observations for Birmingham was taken at the old U.S. Weather Bureau office in Fountain Heights. Other Alabama lows that cold morning: -7F in Tuscaloosa, Elba and Opelika; -5 in Greensboro; -11 in Florence; -12 in Decatur; -15 in Oneonta; -16 in Hamilton and Scottsboro and –18 in Valley Head. Greensboro had five inches of snow on the ground.
ON THIS DATE IN 1952: An intense outbreak of 15 tornadoes struck the Southeast. An F3 tornado moved through parts of northern Tuscaloosa and eastern Fayette counties, killing one and injuring 14. Another F3 tornado near Adamsville killed one and injured 26. The worst event involved a violent F4 tornado in Tennessee that obliterated Beech Hill and heavily damaged Decherd, killing three and injuring 44. Overall, the outbreak killed five and injured 102.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
