Alabama has had way more than its fair share of tornado fatalities. In fact, the state consistently ranks in the top five for tornado deaths nationally despite the fact that it has far fewer twisters than some of the states below it on this dubious list. It is not that Alabama does not have a high number of tornadoes. Actually, studies have shown that the real tornado alley does not only extend across the Plains down into Texas, but also hangs a right across northern Louisiana, Mississippi and into our state. Today, we start a look back at the deadliest individual tornadoes in Alabama history.

20. (tie) March 5, 1933 (21 killed) - An F4 tornado cut a 35 mile path from near Brent in Bibb County into Shelby County. The town of Helena was especially hard hit where 14 people died.

20. (tie) November 15, 1989 (21 killed) - This inky black killer tornado touched down southwest of Huntsville at around 4:30 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. Occurring in the days before Doppler radar, the F4 monster was on the ground for several minutes before a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Huntsville. Twelve of the twenty one deaths occurred in vehicles that were caught in rush hour gridlock as the terrible storm rushed across the southern part of the Rocket City.

18. (tie) March 3, 1994 (22 killed) - It was a stormy Palm Sunday in Alabama as a twister snaked down from a supercell over St. Clair County. The F4 tornado touched down near Ragland in St, Clair County, then raced along a fifty mile path all the way to the Georgia border. Twenty of the fatalities occurred at the Goshen United Methodist Church near Piedmont. The tornado funnel passed about 100 yards away from the church, but the sanctuary collapsed on the congregation, which was unaware that a tornado warning had been issued. A nearby hallway might have protected everyone.

18. (tie) April 4, 1977 (22 killed) - The Smithfield Tornado was a monster F5 that sizzled from a thundercloud just northwest of Birmingham and steamed northeast to Tarrant. Hardest hit was the Smithfield Estates community just east of U.S. 78. The tornado crossed I-65, tossing cars like toys.

17. April 15, 1956 (25 killed) - Another Jefferson County killer. This murderous F4 touched down just west of Wylam and roared northeast, falling with a hellish fury on the McDonald’s Chapel and Stacey Hollow communities. Twenty five people died along the twenty mile path that finally ended near Ketona.

More tomorrow...

The Friday afternoon web video is on the server:

http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb

We have three big storms systems on the way... one for early next week, another one over the Easter weekend, and the third one around the first of April 1. This must be spring in Alabama. Speaking of that, the spring season begins Sunday morning at 6:33 a.m... (but we don't change the clocks to DST until the first Sunday in April).

Congrats to Lynn Oldshue who is leading the ABC 33/40 bracket challenge... but boy can those rankings change in a hurry. I am still in the hunt tied for second place.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

*WEEKEND WEATHER: A passing cold front will bring the risk of a few showers tomorrow. Nothing heavy, and much of the day will be dry. We think the showers on Sunday will be confined to the southern half of the state, and I think we have a chance to rise into the low 70s... as the NAM is now suggesting. Sunday should be a pretty decent day.

*SEVERE WEATHER THREAT: Models continue to trend northward with the features of the storm system early next week. The latest GFS runs the surface low from near Wichita to southern Indiana. Strong negative tilt upper trough and good diffluence are still there, so we continue to believe there is a chance of a significant severe weather outbreak across the deep south late Monday, Monday night, and into Tuesday morning. Tornadoes could be involved with the projected wind profiles, so everyone will need to stay in touch early next week.

We will watch it closely over the weekend and make notes here as needed...

*REST OF SPRING BREAK WEEK: The weather looks dry Wednesday through Friday of next week with pleasant temperatures. Most days we should be in the 60s; maybe low 70s by Friday.

*EASTER WEEKEND STORM: We really need to get beyond the first storm system before we deal with this one, but we could have a heavy rain threat, a severe thunderstorm threat, or both at some point over the Easter weekend. The 12Z run of the GFS suggests the big storm day will be Saturday, but of course that could change.

We won't even try to discuss the April Fool's storm now, but just be aware of it and we will deal with it later.

Have a great weekend, and if you are headed out of town be safe!

The Friday morning web video is ready for viewing:

http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb

The models have changed the solution again for early next week, and once again they seem to be pointing to a significant severe weather for Alabama early next week. That is the main issue we will deal with this morning.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

WEEKEND: It will be very nice to see the sun today as temperatures go into the 60s. A front will pass through tomorrow evening, which could produce a few showers, but we still think much of the day will be dry. On Sunday, it looks like the best chance of showers will be over the southern half of the state with the surface front stalled near U.S. 80. We could very well go into the low 70s on Sunday as there is no cold air behind the front.

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT: The 00Z and 06Z GFS runs have shifted everything northward for the system early next week. The lastest run in hand has the surface low moving from near Oklahoma City, to a point north of Memphis, and then on to the Atlantic coast east of Long Island. This would put most all of Alabama in the warm sector, and with a strong negative tilt trough involved we will have the potential for a significant outbreak of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. At this time it looks like the best chance of severe storms will come from about 6:00 Monday evening through noon Tuesday.

That timing could change, of course, so be sure and check for updates this weekend. Now is the time to review your severe weather plan at your home and business. Be sure your NOAA Weather Radio is working and know where you are going in the event we do have a big outbreak.

REST OF SPRING BREAK WEEK: We will forecast gradual clearing on Wednesday, with a very nice day on Thursday. Temperatures on both days should be in the 60s, with low 70s possible on Thursday.

EASTER WEEKEND STORM: We have to get through the system early in the week first, but the medium range models show another significant storm system affecting Alabama over the Easter weekend. Could be another setup for severe storms and heavy rain...

And, the GFS advertises yet another big system around April 1.

Looks like our weather will be very active and stormy from time to time for the next few weeks, which is exactly what we expect this time of the year. Once again, the best thing you can do is to be informed. If you are reading this blog, I am preaching to the choir, but we do want you to pay attention to our updates over the weekend as we get closer to the first storm system...

Headed off to Greystone Elementary a little later today to help them kick off their read-a-thon. Bet those kids will be wound up on the last day before spring break!