James Spann: Rain at times tomorrow into friday morning; temps stay below average
COOL, DRY AFTERNOON: Low clouds finally dissipated across Alabama this morning, giving way to a sunny sky through the midday hours. But high clouds are already advancing into the state ahead of the next system that will bring periods of rain as early as tomorrow morning.
Clouds will continue to increase 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 through Friday morning. For now models are suggesting much of the state will be dry Friday afternoon and Friday, although clouds will linger. 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 rain Saturday mainly for the southern third of the state, followed by a mostly cloudy but 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. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
SUPER 7: The annual state football championship games will be played at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium today through Friday. The weather for the 7A game tonight (Thompson vs Opelika) will be dry and cool with temperatures falling through the 40s.
Much 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, for now, the weather looks generally dry for the games Friday afternoon and Friday night.
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. At this point the chance of rain looks very small despite the overcast sky.
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. But, before the game, snow is likely in Harrisonburg Friday morning with potential for 1-2 inches.
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 some 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 December 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.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.