Daily Weather Briefing
Saturday, April 11, 2026
ALABAMA THIS MORNING
This Saturday morning is quiet as clear skies dominate the state. Wind speeds do not exceed 5 mph, and wind gusts range from below 5 mph across the northern half of the state to below 15 mph in the southern half. Temperatures are currently in the mid to upper 40s in the northeast and in Montgomery, Greenville, and Troy. The rest of the state is in the low to mid 50s. Of course, the exception is seen in the southwest, as Mobile and Gulf Shores read 57 degrees.
ALABAMA 7 DAY FORECAST
Above-average temperatures and dry conditions continue over the next seven days due to the stubborn upper-level ridging and surface high-pressure system over the southeastern U.S. Today features an increased fire risk as conditions are very dry.
INCREASED FIRE RISK TODAY
As we continue this warm and dry trend, relative humidities around 30% are expected. With our already dry conditions, this will create an environment in which a spark could lead to uncontrolled flame very quickly. Luckily, winds are not expected to be strong today, but just a breeze will be enough to spread a fire. Because we are not in the 20-25% relative humidity range and winds are on the calmer side, no part of the state is in a Red Flag Warning, but caution should still be exercised. A clear blue sky will be the feature to enjoy today. Highs will be in the mid 80s for most of the state, with a few isolated areas staying in the lower 80s. The shore will be cooler as well, with Gulf Shores expected to hit 77 degrees.
MOSTLY CLEAR NIGHT
With very few isolated clouds expected to form tonight, the sky will show off the beautiful stars. Lows will fall to the mid to upper 50s across Alabama, and Mobile and Gulf Shores will stay in the low 60s.
WARMER SUNDAY
Tomorrow, highs will increase slightly. The mid 80s are still anticipated for most of the state, but a few 87-degree marks could occur. We will also see a shift to southerly flow, which will slowly advect moisture into the state. This will keep relative humidities more elevated than today and decrease the fire risk somewhat. However, winds will be gusty at times, so we won’t be completely in the clear. Skies will still be cloudless.
NO CHANGE MONDAY AND TUESDAY
Similar conditions will be the story at the start of next week. Highs on Monday will be in the low to mid 80s with little spatial pattern, then Tuesday’s highs will be in the mid 80s across the board.
WARM END TO THE WEEK
As the high pressure allows for continued clear skies, highs will continue to increase. Wednesday, highs will sit in the upper 80s. Thursday features a quick dip of some locations back into the mid 80s, but upper 80 temperatures will still be recorded. Friday will be the most diverse in terms of temperatures, as north Alabama will stay in the low to mid 80s. Then, central Alabama will hit the upper 80s. South-central and south Alabama will be in the upper 80s and potentially hit 90 degrees!
DROUGHT REMAINS UNCHANGED
Although not as good news as it would be if drought conditions were improving, drought conditions have not changed at all since last week. This is good, as we are continuing a dry pattern and do not expect to see any beneficial rain over the next week. Conditions are expected to worsen this week under the warm and dry airmass stuck over the Southeast.
PRETTY BEACH DAY
A high in the upper 70s, sunny skies, a very high UV Index, and winds at 5 mph make for a very nice day to be on the beach! Waters have calmed some compared to yesterday, but the rip current risk is still moderate, and caution should be used if in the water. Tomorrow’s southerly winds will cause the rip current risk to increase once again, but shore conditions look to be perfect next week.
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TODAY IN WEATHER HISTORY
April 11, 1965 – The Palm Sunday Outbreak
On April 11, 1965, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak struck the Midwest, producing a devastating series of tornadoes across Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Meteorologists had identified the threat early, as warm, humid air surged northeastward into the region ahead of a deepening low-pressure system over Minnesota, with a strong cold front trailing south and a strong jet stream aloft enhancing thunderstorm development. The first tornadoes touched down in Iowa just before 1 p.m., including an F4 that damaged more than 20 farms and killed a man near Lowden. By the afternoon, tornadoes moved into Illinois and Wisconsin, including an F4 in Crystal Lake that destroyed subdivisions and a shopping center, killing five residents, and a Wisconsin tornado that killed three and flung cars from roads. Indiana experienced some of the worst impacts, with massive tornadoes striking Koontz Lake, Wyatt, Goshen, and Dunlap. Twin F4 funnels destroyed homes and trailer parks, killing dozens, while a high school and hundreds of vacation cottages were heavily damaged. The Amish communities near Shore and Rainbow Lake suffered near-F5 damage, and Manitou Beach, Michigan, saw a church collapse that killed over two dozen worshippers. In Ohio, northwest Toledo experienced F4 and near-F5 damage in the Creekside Addition, killing four, while additional violent tornadoes destroyed Pittsfield, killing seven, and derailed a train in Shelby County. Across seven states, 51 tornadoes were confirmed, 21 of them deadly and 17 rated F3 or stronger, leaving at least 260 people dead and over 3,400 injured. Indiana suffered 138 fatalities, Michigan 53, and Ohio 60, with total damages exceeding $200 million. Despite multiple forecasts and warnings issued by the Weather Bureau’s Severe Local Storms Unit, primitive radar coverage, slow communication, and a lack of public understanding of tornado forecasts meant that many warnings arrived too late. The outbreak prompted major improvements in forecasting and warning systems, including the creation of tornado watches, increased spotter programs, public preparedness initiatives, and the development of NOAA Weather Radio. These were implemented because, despite timely warnings, many people were caught off-guard, and there was a need for future severe weather events to be better anticipated and communicated.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Skywatcher Duncan Hope took this gorgeous picture of the sunset last night. The picture is looking toward Selma and Valley Grande.
