James Spann: Wet at times for Alabama today; dry air for the weekend

RADAR CHECK: A large mass of rain covers Alabama early this morning as the unsettled weather pattern continues.

Rain will diminish later this morning, and high-resolution models suggest a decent part of the afternoon will be dry. Temperatures remain below average; many places won’t get out of the 70s today. The average high for Birmingham on May 29 is 85.

A cold front will push into the Deep South Friday with more showers and storms. The highest coverage of rain for north Alabama will come during the morning; by afternoon most of the showers will be over the southern half of the state. Like recent days, a few strong storms are possible ahead of the front, with gusty winds and small hail.

THE ALABAMA WEEKEND: We get a chance to dry out. Both days will be mostly sunny with highs in the low to mid 80s and lower humidity. Many north Alabama communities will be in the pleasant 50s early Saturday morning.

NEXT WEEK: An upper ridge will build across the region with rising heat levels; highs most days will be between 85 and 91 degrees. Humidity levels will rise as well, and we will have a few scattered showers and storms, mostly during the afternoons and evenings — basically routine early June weather.

ON THIS DATE IN 1982: Two significant tornadoes ripped through southern Illinois. The most severe was an F4 that touched down northeast of Carbondale, then moved to Marion. The twister had multiple vortices within the main funnel. Extensive damage occurred at the Marion Airport. Ten people were killed and 181 were injured.

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