CLOUDS LINGER FOR GOOD FRIDAY; SUNSHINE FOR SATURDAY & EASTER SUNDAY… The severe weather risk is now over as storms are long gone to the east. A cold front is moving across the region this morning, ushering in cool, drier air. Clouds will hang tough throughout the day and high temperatures will struggle to get to the mid-60s. Most spots will top out in the low-60s around 3PM with blustery conditions at times with a 10-20mph northwest wind. Clouds clear out tonight giving way to a gorgeous Saturday and Easter Sunday. A few details to discuss this morning…
NUMEROUS REPORTS OF TREES DOWN LAST NIGHT… Yesterday ended up being a mixed bag of sorts in terms of forecast verification. The good news is a significant round of tornadoes did not happen. The bad news is model data consistently suggested that was a possibility. What did happen, however, were countless reports of trees coming down – both locally, in central Alabama, and across Mississippi. We had multiple reports of trees down in Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, Conecuh, and Mobile counties due to storms yesterday evening. All of the damage was because of straight line winds and not tornadoes. Central Alabama had far more damage than we did, with over 70 reports of trees down at last check. One person unfortunately passed away in St. Clair County last evening as a tree fell on top of a home. Our thoughts and prayers are with the person’s family this morning.
RARE LEVEL 4 RISK FOR CAROLINAS & VIRGINIA TODAY… The same weather system that brought storms to our region last night is moving east into the mid-Atlantic states today. We note the Storm Prediction Center has placed much of North Carolina, South Carolin and parts of southern Virginia in a rare Level 4 (out of 5) severe weather risk zone today, mainly due to a high risk of damaging winds that could be over hurricane force at times. Some of the larger locales involved in that risk zone include Charleston (SC), Columbia (SC), Myrtle Beach (SC), Raleigh (NC), Charlotte (NC), and Danville (VA). Widespread instances of damaging wind are likely with a few tornadoes as well.
COOL AND CLOUDY ALL DAY… I’m expecting clouds to hang tough throughout the day across south Alabama and northwest Florida. High temperatures will only peak in the low-60s. This evening, most spots will fall into the 50s and we’re headed to an overnight low on Saturday around 45°.
SUNNY, MILD SATURDAY… Ample sunshine is likely all day Saturday with high temperatures rising into the low-70s. No weather issues are expected.
GLORIOUS EASTER SUNDAY… If you’re headed out to a sunrise Easter service that is outside, be aware that temperatures will be in mid-40s at sunrise. A chilly start, but we quickly rebound into the 70s by late morning. High temperatures peak around the 80 degree mark by Easter Sunday afternoon.
SUNNY START TO NEXT WEEK… Sunshine is likely Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the upcoming week with nothing in the way of rain or storms. Highs will be in the low- to mid-80s with morning lows in the mid- to upper-50s.
NEXT STORM SYSTEM… It’s far too early to speculate about details, but we note that early model trends point to our next “weathermaker” moving through around Friday, April 26 or Saturday, April 27 when showers and thunderstorms return. Severe weather could be a possibility, but it’s too early to know for sure. I’ll keep you posted about it during the upcoming week. We’ve got plenty of time between now and then.
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See all the details, including a graphical look at the next 7 days, in your Friday #rzw forecast video… Have a great Easter weekend!