James Spann: A few additional storms for Alabama later today

RADAR CHECK: Rain and few thunderstorms continue this morning in the wake of a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that brought wind damage to parts of North Alabama during the pre-dawn hours. Most of the wind damage was across parts of Walker, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Blount, Etowah, St. Clair, Calhoun and Cleburne counties as an accelerating bow shaped echo moved through. Over 45,000 are without power as of 7:45 a.m.

Additional showers and storms will form across Alabama for the next several hours and into the afternoon. SPC maintains a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms for the central part of the state, with a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) for the southern counties. Thankfully the strong wind dynamics will be lifting away from the state this afternoon, but the air will be unstable over the southern 2/3 of the state and a few storms could produce small hail and strong, gusty winds. The risk of a brief, isolated tornado is low, but not zero.

Rain ends tonight, and the weather will be dry over the latter half of the week with a cooling trend. For Thanksgiving Day Thursday, expect a sunny sky with a high the 50s after a low in the 30s. A freeze is likely for most of the state by Friday morning.

Saturday will be cool and dry, but a disturbance will bring rain back into the state Sunday.

IRON BOWL FORECAST: The weather will be dry and cold for the biggest football game of the year in Alabama Saturday night (Alabama at Auburn, 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Jordan Hare Stadium). Temperatures will be in the 40s.

ON THIS DATE IN 1986: An F3 tornado moved through parts of Coffee, Dale and Barbour counties in Southeast Alabama. It was on the ground for 44 miles; three people were injured.

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