A Spring Warm-Up

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Cold out there again this morning, with some of the colder valleys close to freezing. We also note a big temperature inversion; Mount Cheaha at 2,400 feet reports 50 degrees, while the Anniston Airport, just 10 miles to the north in a valley, is at 36.

Expect beautiful weather today and tomorrow, with lots of sunshine and a high in the low 70s today, with mid 70s tomorrow.

NEXT RAIN: The 00Z GFS continues to slow down our end of the week system, and suggests the main window for showers and storms will come from 9:00 p.m. Friday through 9:00 a.m. Saturday. This certainly bodes well for outdoor events Friday, but a few showers could pop up over West Alabama by mid to late afternoon.

With the showers and storms coming in mainly late Friday night, that certainly lessens the chance of any major severe weather problem, although wind fields and lapse rates still suggest there could be some strong storms around. Rain amounts of one-half to three-quarters of an inch are likely.

THE WEEKEND: Showers will end Saturday morning, with the sky becoming partly sunny by Saturday afternoon with temperatures rising into the low to mid 70s. Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high in the upper 70s.

NEXT WEEK: Moist air returns Monday, and the GFS hints of an impulse that could bring showers to Alabama. The day will be warm and muggy with a high around 80 degrees. Upper ridging takes over Tuesday and Wednesday, so showers on those days should be scarce with warm afternoons continuing. A major trough out west early next week will be shunted into Canada, and the weakening front will bring a chance of showers at the end of next week on Thursday and Friday, but severe weather problems are not expected with the lack of upper support.

LONG RANGE: Seems like the general storm track remains north of Alabama through the last week of April, which means little if any severe weather, and occasional decaying fronts. Those fronts sometimes can be decent rain producers when they stall out over Alabama.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left.

I will be on a field trip today to the Barons game with some 5th graders… if I survive I will be back in the weather office later today and the afternoon Weather Xtreme video should be posted by 3:30 or so!

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