James Spann: Calmer days ahead for Alabama; cooler air arrives Friday

RADAR CHECK: We have a narrow band of showers and thunderstorms dropping southward through south Alabama early this morning; the rest of the state is dry. The showers will continue to drift southward while weakening this morning; otherwise, most of Alabama will be dry today with a partly sunny sky. Temperatures reach the low to mid 80s this afternoon; the average high for Birmingham on May 21 is 83.

The weather stays quiet Thursday. High-resolution models suggest a few early-morning showers for the Tennessee Valley; otherwise, the day will be generally dry with a high in the 80s and a mix of sun and clouds.

On Friday, a cooler, drier air mass drops into the state from the north. The sky will be mostly sunny, and temperatures won’t get out of the 70s over the northern half of the state. Most north Alabama communities will enjoy a low in the pleasant 50s early Friday and Saturday mornings.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Moisture levels rise, and few spotty showers are possible over the holiday weekend. Global models aren’t in very good agreement, but we will mention just a chance of scattered showers each day with some sun and highs in the 80s. Coverage of showers will likely increase Monday with the approach of a front, but it won’t rain all day. Some thunder is possible, but severe storms for now aren’t expected.

Cooler, drier air returns over the latter half of next week with highs in the 70s for north Alabama by Wednesday and Thursday.

TUESDAY: Multiple tornadoes touched down Tuesday over north Alabama, mainly over the Tennessee Valley. There was also significant damage in a band from Ragland to Anniston in east Alabama. Storm survey teams will review damage today to determine the number of tornadoes and the ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale.

ON THIS DATE IN 1949: A tornado causing estimated F4 damage killed five people and injured 55 in St. Louis and St. Charles counties in Missouri and Madison County in Illinois.

ON THIS DATE IN 2001: Golfers participating in a tournament at the Majestic Golf Course in Hartland, Michigan, received an urgent message on the GPS on their carts. The message, relayed from the clubhouse, was that a tornado was bearing down on the course. Most of the golfers made it to safety in the clubhouse, although some had to take shelter on the course. Only one golfer suffered a minor injury. The F2 tornado damaged 70 cars in the parking lot along with numerous golf carts and a pontoon boat.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit AlabamaWx.