James Spann: Dry, cool day ahead for Alabama; some rain tomorrow
STUBBORN CLOUDS: Clouds continue to cover much of Alabama early this morning; temperatures are not as cold as forecast this morning due to the stubborn overcast, but we are seeing upper 20s and low 30s across the Tennessee Valley. Most places are in the mid to upper 30s.
The sky becomes mostly sunny today with a high in the 50s. But, clouds will return quickly tonight, and we will forecast periods of rain tomorrow, mainly over the southern two-thirds of the state (south of I-20). Rain is likely statewide tomorrow night into Friday, especially Friday morning. Highs tomorrow and Friday will be in the 46-54 degree range.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Forecast confidence is not especially high due to model madness (inconsistency), but we will mention the chance of some spotty light rain Saturday, followed by a dry day Sunday. Highs both days will be in the 50s.
At this point much of next week looks cool and dry; a cold front could bring some light rain Thursday.
SUPER 7: The annual state football championship games will be played at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium today through Friday. No rain today or tonight, highs in the 50s this afternoon, falling into the 40s for the 7A game tonight.
Most of the day tomorrow will be dry (best chance of rain will be south of Birmingham during the day) with afternoon temperatures in the 50s. Some light rain is likely at times tomorrow night and Friday, however.
COLLEGE: Jacksonville State will host Kennesaw State Friday evening (6 p.m. kickoff) in the C-USA Championship game. The sky will be cloudy with temperatures in the 40s. Some light rain or drizzle is possible, but for now it looks like there is a decent chance much of the game will be dry.
Troy will travel to play James Madison in the Sunbelt Conference Championship game Friday night (6 p.m. kickoff in Harrisonburg, VA). For those traveling to the game, expect a cloudy, cold night temperatures falling from near 32 at kickoff, into the upper 20s by the final whistle. Snow flurries are possible.
Alabama takes on Georgia Saturday in Atlanta (3 p.m. kickoff) in the SEC Championship game. The game will be played in a domed stadium, but for the fans walking to and from the game the sky will be cloudy with light rain possible. The high in Atlanta Saturday afternoon will be in the low 50s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1983: The Iron Bowl was played at Legion Field on Dec. 3, 1983; Ray Perkins’ first Iron Bowl after succeeding Coach Bear Bryant. The game started in beautiful warm sunshine after a stormy night of very heavy rains that caused severe flooding in the Birmingham area. 9.22 inches of rain fell at the National Weather Service Forecast Office, which was on Oxmoor Road at the time.
In the second half, a line of severe thunderstorms was approaching western Jefferson County and a tornado warning was issued. The radar at Centreville showed a well-defined hook echo heading directly toward the stadium.
The game was not stopped. By ten minutes to go in the game, the rain was coming down in torrents as Auburn tried to control the ball and win the game in the horrible conditions as they clung to a 23-20 lead. The rain began to fall so heavily that you could barely see the field on the cameras.
Fortunately, the storm did not produce a tornado in western Birmingham, or the results would have been catastrophic. But later, the same storm dropped an F3 tornado that heavily damaged the Winn Dixie store and Sky City at Oxford’s Blue Pond Shopping Center, killing two people. A total of seven tornadoes touched down across the state that afternoon and evening.
Look for the next video briefing here this afternoon … enjoy the day!
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.