James Spann: Mild temperatures in Alabama through Friday; storms arrive Friday/Friday night
MIXED SUN/CLOUDS: We have a wide range of conditions across Alabama this afternoon. South Alabama is enjoying a mostly sunny sky with temperatures in the 70s, but low clouds have persisted to the north, where a few spots are having a hard time getting out of the 50s. The sky becomes mostly cloudy late tonight statewide; lows will be in the 50s. Some fog/drizzle will be possible again after midnight.
The weather stays very mild tomorrow and Thursday with highs reaching or exceeding 70 degrees for most of the state. Some morning drizzle will be possible; most of the afternoon hours will be dry.
FRIDAY FRONT: An approaching cold front will bring an organized band of showers and thunderstorms into the state Friday afternoon through Saturday. SPC maintains a risk of severe storms for the northwest corner of Alabama Friday afternoon/night …
The better dynamic support will be lifting away from the Deep South, but the air will be somewhat unstable so storms could produce strong gusty winds. A brief, isolated tornado is possible over Northwest Alabama late Friday and Friday night, but not especially likely. Rain and storms will end from the northwest during the day Saturday as colder, drier air begins to arrive. Temperatures Saturday will range from the 50s over the Tennessee Valley to the low 70s across South Alabama.
Sunday will be dry and colder; with a sunny sky highs will range from 45-55 degrees. A freeze is likely for much of the state by Monday morning.
NEXT WEEK: For now most of the week looks dry with seasonal temperatures; highs mostly in the 50s, lows generally in the 30s. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1988: A multiple day winter storm was underway; it brought snow to the northern half of Alabama, with Huntsville receiving 9.6 inches. Other totals included 9.1 inches at Guntersville, 9 inches at Moulton and Scottsboro, 8 inches at Athens and Fayetteville, 7 inches at Fort Payne, 6.5 inches at Falkville, 6.3 inches at Russellville, 6 inches on Sand Mountain at Crossville, 5.5 inches at Hanceville, 5 inches at the Muscle Shoals Airport, and 2.5 inches in Cullman.
ON THIS DATE IN 2017: Much of Central Alabama received a mixed bag of wintry weather. This weather ranged from freezing rain to sleet to snow. The heaviest accumulations of sleet and snow occurred mainly near and south the Interstate 20 corridor. The highest amounts were observed in Tuscaloosa and Jefferson Counties, where up to 1.5 inches of sleet and snow fell.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.