James Spann: Statewide soaking tonight; more rain for Alabama Thursday/Friday
RADAR CHECK: Rain is increasing quickly across Alabama this afternoon, and we expect a statewide soaking tonight with 1-2 inches likely. For most of the state, it will simply be a cold rain. But, we note SPC has introduced a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for southern Baldwin County and the western Florida Panhandle for tonight and early tomorrow morning …
If a warm front can move inland, there could be a brief waterspout or tornado along the Gulf Coast late tonight and during the pre-dawn hours tomorrow. So, it is a very conditional threat. For now the air is cool and stable even on the coast.
The rain moves out of the state very early tomorrow, and some clearing is likely over the western and southern counties by afternoon. Clouds will likely hang tough over the northern and eastern counties, where temperatures won’t get out of the 40s. Wednesday morning will be the coldest morning of the week with lows mostly in the 20s. A freeze is likely down to the Gulf Coast.
After a mostly sunny, cool day Wednesday, clouds will increase Wednesday night and periods of rain are likely Thursday and Friday. For now it looks like the heaviest rain on these two days will be over the southern 2/3 of the state … highs will be generally in the 50s.
THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: Saturday will be a cloudy, cool day with some patchy light rain or drizzle possible, mainly during the morning hours across Southeast Alabama. Sunday will be brighter with a mostly sunny sky; highs remain in the 50s.
And, for now, much of next week looks cool and dry with highs mostly in the 50s, lows in the 30s. See the video briefing for maps, graphics and more details.
FOOTBALL: Jacksonville State will host Kennesaw State Friday evening (6 p.m. kickoff) in the C-USA Championship game. The sky will be cloudy with some light rain possible; temperatures will be in the 40s.
Troy will travel to play James Madison in the Sunbelt Conference Championship game Friday night (6 p.m. kickoff in Harrisonburg, Virginia). For those traveling to the game, expect a cloudy, cold night with a wintry mix of snow and sleet. Temperatures will hover in the low 30s during the game.
ON THIS DATE IN 1970: Four tornadoes impacted east-central Wisconsin during the morning hours. The strongest tornado, an F3, formed at 10:15 a.m. near Medina in Outagamie County. The twister moved northeast at 50 mph and destroyed 20 barns and five houses.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.