RADAR CHECK: We note some light rain is falling early this morning over the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama… the rest of the state is dry with temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s.
The showers over the far northern counties of the state will end by mid-morning, otherwise today will be dry with a high in the 80s. The weather tomorrow will be rain-free with a partly to mostly sunny sky; the high will be in the 78-84 degree range.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: We will bring in the risk of a few showers and thunderstorms, mainly over the northern 2/3 of the state, Saturday and Sunday. Understand the weekend won’t be a wash-out at all, but from time to time a passing shower or storm is possible. Where storms do form they could be strong on Saturday with some risk of small hail and gusty winds. The southern third of the state will be generally dry; highs over the weekend will be in the 80s.
Not much change on Monday; some risk of showers and storms will remain in the forecast, mainly over North and Central Alabama.
REST OF NEXT WEEK: We will forecast scattered to numerous showers and storms across Alabama Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of a cold front; drier and slightly cooler air will follow for Thursday and Friday, when highs drop into the upper 70s over the northern half of the state. See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 2011: One of the most devastating tornadoes in the nation’s history directly killed 158 people and injured over 1,000 in Joplin, Missouri. The Joplin EF5 tornado was the first single tornado to result in over 100 fatalities since the June 8, 1953, Flint, Michigan tornado.
The tornado devastated a large portion of the city of Joplin, damaging nearly 8,000 buildings, and of those, destroying over 4,000. The damage—which included major facilities like one of Joplin’s two hospitals as well as much of its basic infrastructure—amounted to a total of $2.8 billion, making the Joplin tornado the costliest single tornado in U.S. history.
Look for the next video briefing here by 3:00 this afternoon… enjoy the day!
