Mostly Dry Today; Unseasonably Mild Through Wednesday
MILD DECEMBER WEATHER: We are forecasting afternoon highs not far from 70 degrees on a daily basis through Wednesday across Alabama. Most of the state will be dry today, but a few showers are possible over the northern counties tomorrow. Then, we will mention a chance of rain statewide Wednesday ahead of a cold front. Some thunder is possible, but severe storms are not expected despite the unseasonably mild conditions.
COOLER: Cooler, drier air returns to the state Thursday and Friday. Expect a good supply of sunshine both days with highs mostly in the 50s.
COLDER: Even colder air arrives over the weekend. Highs drop into the 40s, lows in the 20s for most of Alabama. The air remains dry and there is no chance of any precipitation.
CHRISTMAS WEEK: We are forecasting a warming trend, and by Christmas Day (Wednesday December 25) highs will be in the 56-62 degree range across Alabama. Global models are having a hard time with the active wave pattern across the southern U.S., but the reliable European suggests we could very well have some rain on Wednesday, but understand that could easily change. Temperatures reach the 60s statewide by the end of the week… See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1811: An estimated Magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Mississippi Valley near the town of New Madrid in Missouri at 2:15 am local time. People were awakened by the shaking in New York City, Washington D.C., and Charleston, South Carolina. The ground motions were described as most alarming and frightening in places like Nashville, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky. In the epicentral area, the ground surface was described as in great convulsion with sand and water ejected tens of feet into the air.
ON THIS DATE IN 2000: An EF4 tornado tore through the southern part of Tuscaloosa, killing eleven people and injuring over 100. Nine of the fatalities occurred in mobile homes, one in a vehicle, and one in a commercial building converted to residential use. Six of those killed were females and five were males. Ages ranged from 16 months to 83 years old. The tornado was on the ground for a total of 18 miles, all within Tuscaloosa county. The tornado path was estimated to be 750 yards wide at maximum intensity.
There was an excellent warning for the tornado; a warning was issued at 12:40 p.m. on that deadly Saturday, 14 minutes before the twister first touched down in a rural area southwest of Tuscaloosa near the Black Warrior River. The tornado crossed Alabama 69 near Shelton State Community College and Hillcrest High School; destroying a shopping center and many homes. The Bear Creek Trailer Park was hit, where many of the deaths occurred. The tornado moved to the east/northeast, south of Skyland Boulevard, and finally crossed I-59/20 near the Cottondale exit.
Later in the day, the same parent storm dropped an F3 tornado which stuck the Coats Bend region of Etowah County, near Gadsden, destroying 250 homes and injuring 14 people. Like the Tuscaloosa tornado, excellent warnings were issued by the National Weather Service long before the damage occurred.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
Category: Alabama's Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
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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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