James Spann: Ice storm warning in the Shoals; severe storms possible in South Alabama
WEATHER SMORGASBORD: You name it, we’ve got it when it comes to weather across Alabama over the weekend. Before it all starts today will be relatively quiet; with a mix of sun and clouds highs will range from the upper 40s across the Tennessee Valley today to the low 60s near the coast.
Here are the key messages for the Alabama weekend …
*An ice storm warning is in effect for Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties (the northwest corner of the state)
*A winter weather advisory is in effect for Lamar, Fayette, Marion, Winston, Walker, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, Cherokee, Jackson and DeKalb counties (the northern third of Alabama)
*A winter storm watch is in effect for Calhoun and Cleburne counties.
*Light freezing rain will move into Northwest Alabama tomorrow morning between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. By late afternoon, temperatures will likely warm above freezing over most of North Alabama with the exception of the northwest corner of the state, where the ice storm warning is in effect.
*Highest chance of significant ice accumulation Saturday is across Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties. How much ice? It all depends on how surface temperatures behave. It could be anywhere from 0.05 of an inch to over a quarter of an inch, and it is a very close call. Ice accumulation for the rest of North Alabama in the winter weather advisory area should be relatively low, but there could be a period of icy travel (mainly ice on bridges) until temperatures warm above freezing.
*For southern 2/3 of Alabama (I-20 south), it will be just good ole fashioned rain tomorrow.
*As the warm sector of the storm system moves northward, temperatures will actually rise overnight tomorrow night into Sunday morning. This should ease the icing across the northwest corner of the state to some degree. Temperatures could reach the low to mid 60s as far north as Tuscaloosa and Birmingham Sunday morning.
*The possible exception Saturday night is the northeast corner of the state, where the cold air damming (CAD) effect could bring in colder air from the east, and some freezing rain could fall there, mainly across parts of Jackson, DeKalb and Cherokee counties.
*Sunday morning will feature rain and a few thunderstorms statewide. SPC has defined a “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms south of a line from York to Clanton to Phenix City. A few storms over South Alabama Sunday could produce strong, gusty winds. A brief, isolated tornado can’t be ruled out.
*Temperatures will drop like a rock Sunday afternoon/night after a cold front passes, and there could be a window for some freezing rain or maybe even a few snowflakes on the back side of the big precipitation mass.
*Temperatures will drop into the teens late Sunday night and Monday morning across the northern half of the state, and after two inches of rain there is a very real chance of a flash freeze/black ice situation into Monday morning. This could create hazardous driving conditions.
*Temperatures over the northern half of the state will likely stay below freezing all day Monday.
Take some time to watch the video briefing for more details on this complex situation.
Next week looks cold and dry with temperatures well below average across the Deep South.
ON THIS DATE IN 2012: A total of 11 tornadoes touched down in Alabama, mostly during the pre-dawn hours. One person was killed by an EF-2 tornado near Oak Grove, in western Jefferson County. The strongest tornado of the event (an EF-3) moved through Center Point, and parts of Clay and Trussville; a 16-year-old girl was killed, and 75 others were injured. Center Point Elementary School had the southwestern portion of its roof completely removed. A total of 231 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. The tornado damage path was approximately 15.5 miles long and was 880 yards wide at its widest point.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.