Quiet Pattern Through The Weekend
SEVERE CLEAR: Other than a few clouds around Dothan, the sky is clear across Alabama this afternoon as a very dry air has settled into the state. Temperatures are in the upper 50s over the northern counties, with 60s elsewhere… not far from average values for early March. Tonight will be clear with a low between 35 and 45 degrees.
Sunny weather continues tomorrow with a high around 70 degrees. Clouds will increase Friday, but the day will be dry with a high between 65 and 70. A disturbance could squeeze out a few sprinkles, or patches of light rain Friday night and early Saturday, but moisture will be very limited and meaningful rain amounts aren’t expected.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: A few lingering showers are possible Saturday morning over Southeast Alabama, otherwise morning clouds will give way to a partly sunny afternoon… the day will be cooler with a high between 55 and 62. Sunday will be dry with a sunny sky; the morning low Sunday will be pretty close to freezing, but then we see a nice warm-up with temperatures reaching the low to mid 60s by afternoon.
NEXT WEEK: An upper ridge over Florida will keep Alabama generally dry through the week. Moisture levels will increase a bit Wednesday through Friday, and we might see a day or two with isolated showers, but widespread rain is not expected. Still no sign of any high impact weather events for the state for the next seven to ten days. See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1966: One of the most devastating tornadoes in Mississippi history occurred. This tornado would come to be known as the “Candlestick Park” tornado, named after a shopping center in south Jackson which was totally destroyed by the tornado. One of only two documented F5 (the most violent on the Fujita scale) tornadoes to strike Mississippi in the 20th century, this tornado carved a path of destruction across central and east central Mississippi. The worst damage occurred in parts of Hinds, Rankin, Scott, and Leake counties, where a total of 57 people were killed and over 500 were injured.
ON THIS DATE IN 2019: A violent EF-4 tornado killed 23 people in Lee County, south of Auburn and Opelika. 97 others were injured, some critically. The tornado was on the ground for 69 miles and reached a peak width of 1,600 yards. This was the first violent (EF4 or EF5) tornado in the United States since April 29, 2017 and the deadliest since the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado. It was also the first violent tornado in Lee County since 1875 and the first deadly tornado to strike Lee County since 1953.
An analysis led by engineer David Roueche (Auburn University) found that 19 of the 23 deaths on March 3, 2019 in Lee County were associated with manufactured homes, as opposed to site-built homes.
BEACH FORECAST: Click here to see the AlabamaWx Beach Forecast Center page.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow…
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
About the Author (Author Profile)
James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.Subscribe
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