From James Spann and the Weather Blog:
RADAR CHECK: Areas of light rain continue to move through the southern 2/3 of Alabama this afternoon; we have some breaks in the overcast over the northern counties. Temperatures range from the low 50s across North Alabama to the low 70s over the far southern part of the state. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with some scattered light rain; lows will be mostly in the 40s.
Tomorrow will feature more clouds than sun, but much of the day will be dry. Highs will be in the 50s and 60s like today a few spots across South Alabama could touch the 70 degree mark.
MESSY WEEKEND SITUATION: We have a complex weekend weather situation ahead. Here are the highlights
*An ice storm warning has been issued for the northwest corner of the state; Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin counties. Freezing rain on Saturday could bring ice accumulation of .25 or more, which could bring very difficult travel conditions and some power outages. We are cautiously optimistic that temperatures here will warm into the mid 30s Saturday night and Sunday morning, which will help to ease the icing to some degree, but more cold air rushes in Sunday with more freezing rain possible by afternoon.
*A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of the rest of the northern third of Alabama (Lamar, Marion, Walker, Winston, Lawrence, Cullman, Morgan, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Jackson, and DeKalb counties). This is where some freezing rain could scattered icing issues Saturday morning. A cold rain is likely for this area Saturday night and Sunday morning with temperatures a little above freezing, but with rapidly falling temperatures a period of freezing rain is possible again Sunday afternoon/evening before it all ends. Ice accumulation in these areas should be generally under .10.
*A winter storm watch is in effect for Blount, Etowah, Cherokee, Calhoun, and Cleburne counties. This is where a wedge of cold air could creep in from the east, resulting in a period of freezing rain at some point over the weekend. This is very conditional.
*While there could be a few snow flakes on the back side of the precipitation Sunday afternoon/evening, we are not expecting any accumulating snow in North Alabama.
*Rain and a few thunderstorms are likely this weekend from I-20 (Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Anniston) south. In fact, there could be a few strong thunderstorms Sunday ahead of the cold front. A low end severe thunderstorm threat could develop.
*The precipitation will end Sunday night. With temperatures falling into the teens early Monday, there is a significant chance of a flash freeze/black ice Sunday night and Monday morning over the northern half of Alabama, with hazardous travel.
*The coldest air so far this season will be in place Monday and Tuesday; some of the colder spots across North Alabama could dip into the single digits Tuesday morning.
See the video briefing for maps, graphics, and more details.
ON THIS DATE IN 1904: An estimated F4 tornado leveled Moundville just after midnight, killing 37 people. The tornado reportedly had a phosphorescent glow. An engineer on a northbound Great Southern train saw the destruction right after it occurred and backed his train 12 miles in reverse to the town of Akron, where he sent a telegram for help.
