Birmingham March 80s May Set Record

Everyone has been abuzz about the recent warmth across Alabama and much of the eastern U.S. 

In Chicago, they think that March is the new July, with a record eight days of 80F or higher in the Windy City.  They may have to change the nickname. 

The 80+ degree readings in Central Alabama have been impressive as well, but are they record setting?  Quite possibly.  We have already recorded ten 80+ degree highs at the Birmingham Airport this month.  It appears that there is a good chance that we will see four more in the coming week.  A review of the record books shows that if that happens, it will be a new record. 

The previous records for number of 80+ degree highs in March include:

12…1910

12…1907

11…1921

11…1945

10…2007

10…1967

09…1974

BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY:  A tour of Skycams this afternoon across Central Alabama reveals a nice looking mix of clouds and sun.  Visible satellite photos confirm this of course, with a pretty field of stratocumulus clouds across the area, much as you would expect in the wake of a cold front.  That front was near Greenville SC this afternoon.  A severe thunderstorm watch (and now a tornado watch) was in effect ahead of it from northern Florida to Virginia.  Several severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect across Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. There were tornado warnings in the Palmetto State of South Carolina a little earlier.  More will probably occur across Virginia and North Carolina this afternoon.

Closer to home, temperatures were going to end up in the lower 70s in the I-20/59 corridor.  To the north, we note our big upper low stacked over the surface low, indicating a weakening system.  A disturbance was spinning around the upper low, and it was triggering some showers and storms over Tennessee as it approaches Nashville.  Some of these showers, and perhaps a little thunder, will swing across North Alabama this afternoon and evening.  Areas mainly from the Shoals to Cullman to Anniston and points north will be affected.  These storms will be capable of small hail, but not much else.   Lows tonight will drop into the lower 50s.

Category: Alabama's Weather