James Spann: Warmer Alabama afternoons ahead; rain possible late Friday

WARMER AFTERNOONS: Again we have temperatures in the 30s in scattered spots down into South Alabama with a clear sky. But expect a nice warm-up today … the high will be in the 70s this afternoon with sunshine in full supply. The weather will stay dry through Thursday with highs in the 70s each afternoon; lows will be mostly in the 40s early tomorrow and Thursday morning.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: Clouds will increase ahead of a cold front Friday, and we will mention a chance of showers late Friday into Friday night. Nothing heavy; rain amounts should be under 1/2 inch for most places.

Most of the weekend will be dry, but another front will bring some risk of a few isolated showers late Saturday night and Sunday morning. The high Saturday will be in the 70s; the weather stays mild Sunday for South Alabama, but highs drop into the 50s and 60s over the northern counties with a gusty north wind behind the front.

NEXT WEEK: The coldest air so far this season arrives early in the week. Despite a sunny sky temperatures won’t get out of the 40s across North Alabama Monday, and by daybreak Tuesday a widespread freeze is likely over the northern half of the state. A few South Alabama communities could see a freeze as well; the growing season will end for most of the state.

The rest of the week will be dry with a warming trend.

TROPICS: The Atlantic basin remains quiet and tropical storm formation is not expected for at least the next seven days.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: Saturday Auburn plays Vanderbilt in Nashville (3 p.m. kickoff) … with a partly to mostly sunny sky temperatures will fall from the mid 60s at kickoff into the upper 50s by the final whistle.

Alabama will host LSU Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium/Saban Field (6:30 p.m. kickoff). The weather will be dry with high clouds around; expect about 68 degrees at kickoff, falling into the low 60s by the final whistle.

ON THIS DATE IN 1959: A rare F0 tornado caused minor damage near Cape St. Elias Light Station on Kayak Island, Alaska.

ON THIS DATE IN 1985: Heavy rains from the remnants of tropical storm Juan dropped 10 to 19 inches of rain on West Virginia and surrounding states, causing 62 deaths. A maximum rainfall amount of 19.77 inches was recorded near Montebello in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The flood in West Virginia was considered the worst in the state’s history.

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