Rain Moves Into Alabama Tonight

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WINDY AFTERNOON: As expected, south winds have really picked up across Alabama this afternoon; winds gusting to 40 mph on the ridgetops across North Alabama as clouds increase.

To the west, a severe thunderstorm watch is up for parts of the Ark-La-Tex region until 9:00 p.m. CST… but the storms will weaken as they move east into a stable airmass. Showers will enter Northwest Alabama around 6:00 p.m… and rain will become likely across this part of the state from about 9:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Rain amounts of near 1/2 inch are likely.

CLEARING TOMORROW: The sky will clear from west to east during the day tomorrow, and most of Alabama should be in sunshine by afternoon. Temperatures should reach the mid to upper 50s.

COLDER AIR TOMORROW NIGHT: Looks like we are headed for the 25-29 degree range early Wednesday as colder air drops in from the north; Wednesday will be cool and dry with a good supply of sunshine and a high around 50. Many locations north of Birmingham won’t get out of the 40s Wednesday.

MORE RAIN: We will have two more rounds of rain later this week as a very active pattern continues. The first will come Thursday night into Friday morning; this system will have the potential to bring severe weather to areas west of Alabama during the day Thursday, but once again the lack of surface based instability should prevent severe weather issues here Thursday night.

We should get a break in the rain during the midday and afternoon hours Friday, but another round of rain and storms is likely Friday night into Saturday morning. This one could have some unstable air involved, and strong storms could be an issue with surface temperatures expected to climb to near 70 degrees Friday afternoon.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Rain should be over by midday Saturday, with clearing Saturday night. Sunday looks rain-free, with a decent amount of sunshine and a high in the 60s.

Then, yet another rain maker arrives early next week on Monday (Feb 25).

LONG RANGE: An active pattern still looks likely into early March, and the 12Z run of the GFS is clearly colder with a voodoo snow storm showing up on March 4. But, it is all voodoo. See the Weather Xtreme video for the details, maps, and graphics.

STORM ALERT 2013 COMES TO CLANTON THURSDAY NIGHT: Our annual severe weather awareness tour across Alabama continues through February. We will share lessons learned after the April 27, 2011 generational tornado event, along with other amazing weather stories. Learn how to keep your family safe during severe weather, and have a chance to win some cool prizes as well. Here are the remaining Storm Alert tour dates…

February 21 Clanton – Jeff State Performing Arts Center
February 26 Ohatchee – Ohatchee High School
February 28 Clay – Clay/Chalkville High School

All shows begin at 6:30… be sure and get there early to get a good seat.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 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. Scroll down for the show notes on this week’s new episode… note there will be no production tonight (we recorded this week’s show last Friday).

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I had a great time today visiting the third graders at Rock Quarry Elementary in Tuscaloosa… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News! And, also thanks to everybody at Alabama Power’s HQ in downtown Birmingham for their hospitality today. Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow….

Tags: wet

Category: Alabama's Weather