James Spann: Stormy start to Saturday in Alabama
ALABAMA YESTERDAY
Soaking rains fell from north to southwestern Alabama yesterday. Rainfall totals spanned from above 0.5” to 4.1”. A Flash Flood Warning was issued in Jefferson County yesterday, and there were a few reports of water rescues there as well. All storms stayed sub-severe throughout the day. Southeast Alabama experienced completely different weather, seeing partly cloudy skies and dry conditions. Highs in north and central Alabama stayed in the mid to upper 60s, while south Alabama ranged from the low 70s to low 80s.
ALABAMA THIS MORNING
Rain continues in north and central Alabama this morning. Parts of southwest Alabama are starting to see a batch of severe storms move into the area, with Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect until 7:15 a.m. A Flash Flood Warning has been issued in Jefferson and Shelby counties until 8:15 a.m. A Tornado Watch has been issued for southeastern Mississippi, through south-central to north-central Alabama, and into northwestern Georgia until 10 a.m. As James Spann has said this morning during Alabama Weather Network live coverage, the greatest severe threat is in the southern portion of the Tornado Watch. Temperatures right now are in the low 60s in north and central Alabama, and low 70s farther south.
Our Jefferson Sky Cam captured pink clouds due to the sunrise this morning. On the horizon was a severe thunderstorm that was quickly approaching.
SPANN’S SKYWATCHERS
Skywatchers are reporting temperatures in the mid 60s this stormy Saturday morning.
ALABAMA WEATHER
Thunderstorms will continue throughout the day, before a cold air mass moves into the state tonight. Sunday and Monday will be chilly, then seasonable temperatures settle in mid-week due to high pressure. A cold front will approach the state Tuesday night, bringing a low chance of showers Wednesday. Thursday will be cold before temperatures rebound Friday.
STORMS AND HEAVY RAIN CONTINUE TODAY
Three weather stories are relevant today:
North Alabama will continue to see sub-severe storms and rain today, although breaks are in the forecast, and rains will lighten up greatly. The Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 12 p.m. today. Highs will be in the upper 50s.
Persistent heavy rains are expected in central Alabama throughout the morning, evident with the Flash Flood Warning and Flood Watch in effect right now. The Tornado Watch is in effect, but the environment for severe weather is not as ideal compared counties farther south. After 12 p.m. today, rain will taper to light showers. Highs will rise to the low to mid 60s.
Today is South Alabama’s turn for active weather. The line of storms moving in from the Mississippi- Alabama state line will continue to move east this morning. This line has a history of producing a few tornado warnings in Mississippi, including an observed tornado early this morning, however all have expired now. The main threat with this storm right now is straight line winds, which can down trees and power lines. Past 10 a.m., the severe weather threat is expected to dwindle greatly, as the environment these storms are heading into is not supportive of anything severe. Rain should be out of most of the state by around 7 to 8 p.m. tonight. Rainfall amounts are expected to range from 0.2″ to 0.7″ in the south today.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed central-south Alabama under a Slight Risk (2/5) for Severe Weather today.
COLD BEGINS TONIGHT
The cold front responsible for today’s rain will be out of the state by tomorrow morning, bringing cold low temperatures. Lows in north Alabama will be in the mid 30s and in the low 40s in the south. Dry conditions will settle in.
WINTER RETURNS SUNDAY AND MONDAY
Skies will be clear Sunday but will do little in the way of heating the day. Highs will only reach the low to mid 40s from north to central Alabama and the upper 40s and low 50s in the south. Temperatures will fall below freezing Sunday night into Monday morning everywhere but south Alabama, which will sit in the mid to upper 30s. Abundant sunshine with a building high pressure on Monday will allow for slightly warmer highs in the mid 40s north and upper 40s south.
WARM-UP TUESDAY
Temperatures Tuesday will warm to the mid to upper 50s with increasing cloud cover throughout the day ahead of a cold front.
RAIN CHANCE WEDNESDAY
As the cold front moves through the state, a low chance for showers is expected. Temperatures will range from the low 50s north to upper 50s to low 60s south.
COOLDOWN THURSDAY
As cooler air flows into the state behind the cold front, temperatures will be in the upper 30s north through upper 40s south.
QUIET FRIDAY
On Friday, temperatures will climb into the upper 40s to low 50s, accompanied by calm weather.
VULCAN 7 DAY OUTLOOK
Our Vulcan outlook shows that after this morning, no severe or winter weather is expected through next Friday.
A FEW ALABAMA RECORDS BROKEN
Warm temperatures and heavy rains plagued the state yesterday.
At the Birmingham Airport, 1.9” of rain fell yesterday, just squeezing past the record set in 1977 of 1.89”.
In Mobile, the record high temperature of 78 degrees, set in 1957, was surpassed by only one degree. 79 degrees was the high.
At the Shelby Couty Airport, a record minimum high temperature was set, reaching 62 degrees. This breaks the record of 57 degrees set in 2000.
WORSENED DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Since last week, drought conditions have worsened overall. Currently, there is no part of the state that is free from drought. The Abnormally Dry (D0) category has decreased by about 2% to 8.47%. The Moderate Drought (D1) category has decreased by about 7% to 67.64%. 21.46% of the state is in a Severe Drought (D2), an 11% increase from last week. 2.43% of the state still stays in an Extreme Drought (D3). The rain today is expected to improve these conditions, especially in the central part of the state.
SEVERE WEATHER AND FLASH FLOODING CONTINUE IN SOUTHEAST
A low-pressure system continues to produce severe weather and flash flood threats in the Southeast today. The threat dwindles into the afternoon as the Mid-Atlantic and portions of the Tennessee Valley gear up for steady rains.
CLIPPER IMPACTS GREAT LAKES AND NORTH
A Clipper will produce moderate to heavy snowfall over the Great Lakes today with Lake Michigan receiving 4-6″. Freezing rain and wintry precipitation is expected in New York, Vermont, and western Massachusetts tomorrow, accumulating to a possible tenth of an inch.
NATIONAL HIGH AND LOW
McAllen and Hidalgo, Texas, reached the national high of 89 degrees yesterday. The national low of –14 degrees was recorded in Peter Sinks, Utah.
POOR BEACH WEATHER
With thunderstorms in today’s forecast, shore conditions will not be pleasant. High temperatures will be in the low 70s, and winds will blow around 10 mph. The rip current risk is moderate, and the surf height is around 2 to 3 feet. Cold beach conditions are expected next week.
WEATHERBRAINS 1042
Jim Abraham and Ken Macdonald return to the podcast after their thought-provoking episode a few weeks ago. Monday’s episode will feature a deep dive into audience questions.
HISTORY
January 10, 1973 – San Justo Tornado
On January 10, 1973, a violent tornado tore through San Justo in Argentina’s Santa Fe Province, leaving catastrophic destruction in its wake. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, vehicles were mangled or thrown long distances, and large trees were stripped bare or debarked — clear signs of extreme intensity. Post-analysis suggested the tornado may have reached F5 strength, placing it among the most powerful ever documented in the Southern Hemisphere. In total, 63 people were killed and more than 200 were injured, making it one of the deadliest tornadoes in South American history.
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Jay Demoth sent in a photo of mammatus clouds in Dallas County this morning. These clouds are typically associated with thunderstorms.
For more weather news and information from James Spann and his team, visit the Alabama Weather Network.