Rain Returns This Weekend

COOL, DRY WEATHER: The sky is clear over the great state of Alabama this morning; temperatures are mostly in the 30s at sunrise. With sunshine in full supply, we expect a high in the upper 50s this afternoon. Tomorrow morning will bring a light freeze for most, and dry air means another sunny day with a high close to 60 tomorrow afternoon.

WEEKEND CHANGES: Clouds move back into Alabama Saturday ahead of a developing weather system to the west, and rain arrives Saturday night. In fact, rain could begin over West Alabama late Saturday afternoon. Sunday looks cool and wet with periods of rain through the day; some North Alabama communities could hold in the 40s all day with a warm front over far South Alabama.

NEXT WEEK: The warm front will lift northward Monday, with rain continuing. The latest GFS (06Z) shows a rapidly deepening surface low moving into western Kentucky by early Tuesday, and if this is correct the state gets into the warm sector, and we will have another chance of strong to severe storms Monday night into Tuesday. We will keep a close eye on the potential in coming days.

And, late next week, we are still seeing signals that the coldest air so far this season will blow into Alabama and much of the continental U.S…. by Friday some places could very well hold in the 30s all day. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details…

STORM SURVEYS: A total of 8 tornadoes have been confirmed by NWS survey teams so far from the storms Tuesday night into Wednesday morning… The NWS in Huntsville has rated the Ider (DeKalb County) tornado as F-3… three EF-2 tornadoes were also identified, one from Franklin into Colbert Counties, another in Madison County, and a third in Jackson County at Rosalie, where three people were killed. The NWS in Birmingham has confirmed 4 tornadoes, one in Lamar County, one in Pickens County, one in the Helicon community (Winston County), and another near Ashridge (also in Winston County). Preliminary data suggests these will be rated EF-1.

Survey results are not complete, and more tracks will likely be identified. I would not be surprised if around 15 tornadoes will ultimately be identified…

RAIN AMOUNTS: Here are some storm totals from our team of Skywatchers this week…

Coker 4.02″
Helena 3.06″
Jemison 3.04″
Locust Fork 3.02″
Bessemer 2.96″
Heflin 2.84″
Cottondale 2.79″
Concord 2.68″
Black Creek (near Gadsden) 2.12″

At the Birmingham Airport, where the records are kept, the storm total was 2.07″, and the rain deficiency for the year is still 11.35″.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.

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I have weather programs today at Striplin Elementary in Gadsden… and Kitty Stone Elementary in Jacksonville. Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

Tags: ANC, cool

Category: Alabama's Weather