Dry Today; Showers/Storms Return Over The Weekend
ANOTHER NICE DAY AHEAD: With sunshine in full supply today, look for a high between 77 and 81 degrees this afternoon… the average high in Birmingham on April 15 is 75. Clouds will increase tonight, and showers and storms will likely move into the northwest counties of the state after midnight. SPC has a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms defined for Northwest Alabama after midnight… heavier storms could produce some small hail and gusty winds.
EASTER WEEKEND: The weather will be unsettled across Alabama and the Deep South with occasional showers and a few thunderstorms both days. But understand the weekend won’t be a “wash out”, and the sun could peek out at times.
A few strong thunderstorms are possible; SPC has defined a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) over about the southern 2/3 of the state tomorrow (south of a line from Vernon to Birmingham to Ranburne); heavier storms could produce hail and gusty winds. No risk of a tornado.
On Sunday, there is a “slight risk” (level 2/5) defined for Southwest Alabama, and a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Clanton to Ranburne. Same situation; some hail is possible along with gusty winds. Rain amounts over the weekend will be in the 1-2 inch range for most communities.
NEXT WEEK: A stray shower is possible in spots Monday, but the rest of the week is now looking dry as an upper ridge builds across the Deep South. Look for highs in the 68-72 degree range early in the week, followed by low 80s by Friday (April 22). See the Weather Xtreme video for maps, graphics, and more details.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the Alabama “A Day” game in Tuscaloosa tomorrow (2:00p CT kickoff)… the sky will be mostly cloudy with a few passing showers during the game, and possibly a thunderstorm. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s.
The Birmingham Stallions will most the New Jersey Generals tomorrow evening at Protective Stadium (6:30p CT kickoff)… expect a mostly cloudy sky with a few showers; temperatures will fall from near 72 at kickoff, into the upper 60s by the final whistle.
ON THIS DATE IN 2011: The “forgotten” tornado outbreak of April 15, 2011; 45 tornadoes touched down across Alabama. One of the large EF-3 tornadoes to strike Central Alabama on the day created a swath of damage from northeastern Greene County, just southeast of the community of Ralph, to just south of Veterans Memorial Parkway just east of Tuscaloosa in south-central Tuscaloosa County. Winds with this tornado were estimated at 140 MPH, mainly uprooting and snapping trees. A few homes and businesses received damage as the twister moved north of Shelton State Community College and crossed Alabama Highway 69 near Taylorville, and crossing I-20/59 near Alabama Highway 82.
Another large EF-3 tornado struck the Myrtlewood-Pinhook communities (Marengo County) with estimated winds of 150 mph. Several dozen single-family and mobile homes were destroyed or severely damaged. One person was killed when his mobile home was tossed several hundred feet across Alabama Highway 69.
Another EF-3 tornado moved through the Boones Chapel community in northern Autauga County. This twister was the third one to affect the same general area for the day, but this one was a killer. Three people were killed and four were seriously injured as the tornado destroyed the manufactured home they were in. In all, at least 50 homes and one business was either destroyed or significantly damaged.
The event was “forgotten” by many due to what would happen 12 days later, on April 27, 2011, when a generational tornado outbreak would kill 252 people in our state.
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Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
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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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