James Spann: Waves of rain and thunderstorms for Alabama through tomorrow
RADAR CHECK: Rain is falling over Northwest Alabama early this morning; a few thunderstorms are involved, but nothing severe. A very wet period is ahead for Alabama over the next 36 hours with waves of rain and storms moving through. A flood watch is in effect for roughly the northern half of Alabama … as far south as Sweetwater, Wetumpka, Tallassee and Valley.
Many communities will see rain amounts of 2-3 inches, which is a good thing since over 90 percent of the state is in a drought condition.
SPC maintains a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of West-Central Alabama through tonight, with a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) as far south as Auburn, Luverne and Orange Beach.
Thankfully, the air across Alabama will be relatively stable through tomorrow, which should mitigate any major severe thunderstorm issues. However, if there can be a few spots with sufficient instability thunderstorms there could produce strong, gusty winds. The chance of a brief, isolated tornado is very low, but not zero. Best chance of seeing a severe storm is over Southwest Alabama.
A few thunderstorms are still possible across South Alabama tomorrow, with some patches of light rain over the northern counties. Temperatures will begin to fall over North Alabama by afternoon as colder air moves into the state; many places over the Tennessee Valley will be in the upper 40s by evening.
Sunday will be sunny and sharply colder with highs in the 40s and 50s … a freeze is likely for most of the state by daybreak Monday.
NEXT WEEK: Colder air stays in place through the week. A cold front could bring a few spotty showers Wednesday, and an upper trough could squeeze out a few sprinkles or flurries Thursday, but precipitation will be very light if we see any at all. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s, lows will be in the 20s and 30s.
ON THIS DATE IN 1970: A cold wave was in progress across the Deep South as temperatures reached the single digits over the northern half of Alabama.
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