James Spann: Periods of rain today in Alabama; colder, drier day tomorrow
RADAR CHECK: Large areas of rain are moving across Alabama early this morning ahead of a cold front. Look for rain at times through midnight; a thunderstorm is possible, but there is no risk of severe storms. Rain amounts will be generally 1/2 inch or less… expect a high in the 58-68 degree range this afternoon. A few spots over South Alabama will see low 70s.
TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND: Tomorrow will be a sunny and colder day; highs will range from the upper 40s over the northern third of the state, to near 60 along the Gulf Coast. Colder spots over North/Central Alabama will see a light freeze early Saturday morning. Then, during the day Saturday, with sunshine in full supply temperatures rise into the 60s for much of the state.
Most of Alabama will stay dry Sunday, although a few showers will be possible over the southwest counties. Expect a high Sunday between 56 and 66 degrees.
CHRISTMAS WEEK: The week looks generally dry with mild afternoons and cool nights. Highs mostly in the 60s, although South Alabama has a good chance of seeing low 70s Wednesday and Christmas Day. Morning lows will be in the 40s and 50s.
FOOTBALL WEATHER: Alabama is in Norman to take on Oklahoma in the first round of the college football playoffs tomorrow night (7 p.m. kickoff) … the sky will be clear with temperatures falling through the 50s. It will be a windy at times with a south wind averaging 12-22 mph, possibly gusting to 30 mph early in the game.
ON THIS DATE IN 1944: Typhoon Cobra, also known as the Typhoon of 1944 or Halsey’s Typhoon (named after Admiral William “Bull” Halsey), was the U.S. Navy designation for a tropical cyclone that struck the Task Force 38 during World War II in the Pacific. The typhoon was first observed on December 17 as it surprised a fleet of ships in the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean.
Sustained winds associated with the storm were up to 100 mph with gusts to 140 mph. On December 18, the small but violent typhoon hit the Task Force while many of the ships were attempting to refuel. Due to the extreme seas and winds, three destroyers capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers and three destroyers suffered serious damage. Approximately 790 officers and men were lost or killed with another 80 injured.
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