**No afternoon video briefing today due to travel**
RADAR CHECK: Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms are over the northern 2/3 of Alabama this afternoon; one heavier storm produced hail north of Jasper in northern Walker County. We will maintain the chance of showers and a few storms statewide tonight as a surface front drops slowly southward. Stronger storms could produce some small hail through the evening.
Showers and a few storms will linger over South Alabama tomorrow morning, but all of the rain should be gone by midday.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Most of the weekend will be rain-free; just a slight risk of a shower Saturday over the southeast corner of the state. Partly sunny days, fair nights, and highs in the 70s.
A strong upper high will form along the south Atlantic coast next week, and this will keep the big rain producers west and north of Alabama. Most of the week will be dry with a small risk of a shower Thursday and Friday. Highs will be in the 70s during the first half of the week; low 80s are likely for many areas by Friday. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 2008: A long-lived windstorm produced by severe thunderstorms, known as a derecho, caused a widespread swath of damage across Central Alabama during the early morning hours. Although there were some sporadic reports of light tree damage and small hail west of I-65, a more intense and widespread swath of damage started in southern Jefferson and northern Shelby Counties between 3:30 am and 4:00 am. From there, the damage swath moved eastward, roughly parallel to Interstate 20, reaching the Georgia border by 5:00 am. Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 60 to 70 mph were widespread in this damage swath, with occasional hurricane force peak wind gusts, estimated just over 100 mph in some areas. The system also was responsible for three EF-1 tornadoes.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
