TERRIFIC TUESDAY: Temperatures are generally in the 70s across Alabama this afternoon, although a few spots across the Tennessee Valley are in the upper 60s. The sky is partly to mostly sunny… tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 50s.
Most of the state will see a high at or over 80 degrees over the latter half of the week; a few new record highs will be possible as we enjoy the warmest weather so far this year. The weather will be mostly dry through Thursday, but a few spotty showers could show up by Friday as moisture levels rise.
THE WEEKEND: The weather stays warm with a high in the 75-85 degree range both days. New model guidance suggests a front will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms Saturday and Saturday night. Not a wash-out at all, but some rain now seems likely at times. Sunday will trend drier with just a few isolated showers around.
NEXT WEEK: We will mention some risk of scattered showers or storms Monday; for now rain chances look fairly low Tuesday. A cold front/upper trough will bring an organized band of showers and thunderstorms into the state Wednesday or Wednesday night. Too early to know if this will be a severe weather threat, but this is mid-March, a favored time for severe storms based on climatology, so we will watch models trends closely. Cooler air drops into the Deep South after the front Thursday and Friday with highs in the 60s and 70s.
Still no sign of any late season freeze for the next 10 days… but it still way too early to plant anything that will be harmed by freezing temperatures. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 2019: A violent. long-track EF-4 tornado struck portions of eastern Alabama and western Georgia, causing extreme damage along its path. This tornado was the deadliest tornado in the United States since the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado. The tornado first touched down at 2:00 p.m. CST near Society Hill, and stayed on the ground for 76 minutes over a 68.6 miles path, ravaging numerous homes and businesses, as well as doing significant tree damage. A total of 23 people were killed in Lee County; the victims ranged in age from 6 to 93. Of those killed, 19 were in mobile homes. Beauregard and Smiths Station were the hardest hit. Five other tornadoes touched down, including an EF-2 near Eufaula.
Look for the next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
