SUNNY DAY: Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s across Alabama this afternoon with sunshine in full supply tonight. Tonight will be clear and chilly, but not as cold last night. Most communities will see a low in the 35-45 degree range. Some frost is possible for colder spots.
THE WEEKEND: Look for highs in the 70s over the weekend as dry weather continues. A cold front will push a band of showers and a few thunderstorms into the state late Sunday into Monday, SPC has defined a low end “marginal risk” (level 1/5) of severe thunderstorms for areas north and west of Birmingham…
With little to no surface based instability and weak dynamic support, the overall severe weather threat in Alabama is low, But, heavier storms could produce some small hail and gusty winds after midnight Sunday night and early Monday.
Lingering showers are possible into Monday afternoon over the southern half of the state… then the rest of the week looks generally dry and pleasant with highs in the 70s along with lows in the 40s and 50s. Rain and storms will likely return at times over the following weekend (March 29-30)… see the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
FINAL TORNADO COUNT: After days of storm survey work by NWS teams, it has been determined that 17 tornadoes touched down across Alabama this past Saturday/Saturday night. The strongest was the EF-3 that moved through Plantersville and Maplesville.
ON THIS DATE IN 1932: The March 21, 1932 generational tornado outbreak unfolded across Alabama. At least 36 tornadoes, most of them strong/violent, occurred across the Deep South, and Alabama was the hardest hit. The March 24th headline of The Tuscaloosa News stated that the death toll rose to 300, 32 of whom had died in Northport, and 2,500 were known to be injured. The Red Cross worked tirelessly to rehabilitate approximately “10,000 people left homeless in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee”. According to The Tuscaloosa News, in Alabama alone, there are more than “8,000 whose domiciles were blown to the four winds.” Quite frankly, to this day, we don’t know the exact number of people who died. Keep in mind there were no tornado warnings in 1932.
Chilton County was hit extremely hard with 58 persons killed. The Union Grove community near Jemison was laid to waste. Doctors and nurses from Montgomery and Birmingham worked all night by lantern and flashlight to relieve the widespead suffering. In Clay County, one of the tornadoes remained on the ground for 30 miles cutting a path 400 yards wide. A new automobile became airborne and was carried through the air for a distance of 400 yards. 12 persons died in Clay County and 200 were injured. After the tornado, there were people living in the Clay County Courthouse. Sylacauga was hit by a violent tornado.
Look for my next video briefing here by 6:00 a.m. Monday… enjoy the weekend!
Category: Alabama’s Weather, ALL POSTS, Weather Xtreme Videos
