Rain Returns Over The Weekend; A Few Flakes Possible
WONDERFUL WINTER AFTERNOON: Temperatures are mostly in the mid 50s across Alabama this afternoon, right at seasonal averages for January 12. The sky is partly to mostly sunny, and fair conditions will continue tonight with a low in the 30s.
Dry weather continues through Friday with partly to mostly sunny days and fair nights. Highs will be in the 55-59 degree range, with lows in the 30s.
WEEKEND WEATHER SYSTEM: Clouds roll into Alabama Saturday ahead of a system that will push rain into the western counties of the state by afternoon. Rain will be widespread statewide Saturday night, with potential for amounts of 1/2 to one inch. Model data shows no surface based instability, so thunderstorms are not expected for now. The high Saturday afternoon will be between 56 and 60 degrees.
Rain will end early Sunday, and much colder air will roll into the state… temperatures fall into the 30s Sunday following the rain with a brisk north wind. Scattered snow showers are possible in the cold air Sunday over about the northern half of the state. The grass could become white in a few spots where heavier snow showers form. Probabilities of one inch of snow remain under 50 percent for most of North Alabama, however.
Travel impact is generally not expected Sunday afternoon where snow showers develop as temperatures should be above freezing. Some patchy black ice can’t be ruled out Sunday night as the sky clears and temperatures go below freezing. The main winter weather impacts from this system will be northeast of Alabama, where very significant amounts of snow and ice are likely for parts of the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
But remember, the forecast could still change as we approach the weekend, for be watching for updates.
NEXT WEEK: Monday will be cold and dry… after a low in the 20s we expect a high in the mid 40s. Then, we are looking at highs in the 50s on daily basis for the rest of the week. Some rain could return by Thursday… See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1932: An F3 tornado moved eight miles through portions of Hale and Tuscaloosa Counties, crossing the east side of Moundville. A total of 30 homes and the two-story grammar school were destroyed. Nine people were killed in 5 different homes. 29 were injured. Yet another reminder this is tornado season in Alabama, which runs from November through May.
ON THIS DATE IN 1982: A catastrophic ice storm event unfolded across much of Alabama. After a period of very cold air with single digit temperatures, a winter storm brought some snow, but mostly freezing rain to the state on January 12, 1982. The precipitation arrived about 8 hours earlier than anticipated in the Birmingham area and quickly changed over to a mix of freezing rain and sleet that turned roads in skating rinks. Thousands of motorists had to abandon their vehicles on roads and hike home or spend the night in shelters. Brookwood Village mall became a huge shelter. So many wrecks occurred that the Birmingham Police Department could not answer the calls for accident investigation.
As temperatures hovered near the freezing mark through the night, freezing rain created a thick coating on all exposed objects. Trees snapped, pulling down power lines and putting as many as 750,000 Alabamians in the dark. A state of emergency was declared in Alabama and National Guard Armories were opened to serve as shelters. Some people had no power for weeks, timber damage in the state was extensive.
Twenty Alabamians were dead and another 300 injured and damage totaled $78 million because of the 1982 winter storm.
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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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