James Spann: Periods of rain in Alabama Friday; mostly dry weekend to follow

RADAR CHECK: An area of rain continues to move across Alabama’s Tennessee Valley this afternoon … the rain is north of U.S. 278 (north of a line from Hamilton to Cullman to Gadsden). The weather is warm and dry over the southern 2/3 of the state, with many communities reaching the low 80s, a good 15 degrees above average for late November in Alabama.

Rain across North Alabama will end this evening; tonight will be mostly cloudy with lows in the 57-65 degree range.

TOMORROW THROUGH THE WEEKEND: An approaching surface and upper trough will bring periods of rain to Alabama tomorrow and tomorrow night. Some thunder is possible, but there is no risk of severe storms. The day will be mild with a high in the 70s.

We will mention the risk of a few lingering showers Saturday morning, but the rest of the weekend should be dry. Highs will hold in the 70s both days.

THANKSGIVING WEEK: Monday will be a dry, pleasant day with a high in the low 70s. The next trough will bring rain into the state Tuesday and Tuesday night; for now much of the day Wednesday looks dry with only a small risk of a stray morning shower.

Confidence in the forecast for Thanksgiving Day is not especially high as global models struggle to agree in an active pattern. We will continue to mention some risk of showers next Thursday with highs in the 50s and 60s.

The weather looks dry and colder Friday through the following weekend; a freeze is likely over much of the state by Saturday and Sunday morning. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Auburn hosts Mercer Saturday (1 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be mostly cloudy with just a small risk of a brief shower. Temperatures will be in the mid 70s.

Saturday Alabama will host Eastern Illinois in Tuscaloosa (1 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be partly sunny with temperatures in the low to mid 70s.

UAB hosts South Florida at Protective Stadium (2 p.m. kickoff) … expect a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the mid 70s at kickoff, falling into the 60s by the fourth quarter.

EARLY IRON BOWL FORECAST: For the biggest game of the year in Alabama (Alabama at Auburn, Saturday November 29 at 6:30 p.m.) … the weather is looking cold and dry with temperatures falling into the 30s during the game.

ON THIS DATE IN 1900: Multiple tornadoes moved across Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. The strongest tornado of the evening struck the town of Columbia, in Maury County, Tennessee, where 27 people were killed. By the time the event came to an end for the area during the early morning hours of the 21st, 73 people were killed with hundreds injured.

ON THIS DATE IN 1985: Kate intensified to a major Category 3 Hurricane and as she moved west of Key West, Florida with top winds of 115 mph and a minimum central pressure of 954 millibars or 28.17 inches of mercury. The next day Kate made landfall between Panama City and Apalachicola, Florida. Tides ran 8 to 10 feet above normal. Many power poles and lines were downed. Several roads were washed out.

For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.