The Wednesday afternoon web video is on the server:

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

After a clear and cool night tonight, some really nice weather is ahead tomorrow and Friday, with ample sunshine and temperatures soaring into the 70s. We expect low 70s tomorrow, and mid to upper 70s on Friday. I would not be shocked if some spots over west Alabama reached 80.

EASTER WEEKEND STORM: I am afraid we will have another severe weather problem at some point on Saturday or Sunday. Maybe on both days. Instability values really soar on Saturday, and then the main dynamics come into play Saturday night into Sunday. The GFS has the dry slot in here by midday Sunday, but I don't trust that. The GFS has been too fast on recent systems, and we will still maintain the best coverage of rain and storms on Sunday. We will be able to be a little more specific tomorrow, but look at at least scattered thunderstorms on Saturday, some possibly severe, and a good coverage of rain and strong storms Saturday night into at least a part of the day Sunday.

AND MORE... The GFS shows active storms systems now around March 30, April 4, and April 6. The dates might change, but there is no doubt we are in a very active, progressive spring storm pattern which will mean frequent periods of active thunderstorms for Alabama and the deep south.

LATE SEASON FREEZE? Looks like this will not be a threat early next week. I do not see anything that would suggest a damaging freeze in the next 10 days, but don't forget we have seen freezing temperatures here as late as April 23. And, big snow events have happened during the first week in April. Some of you might remember the April snow storms of 1982 and 1987.

Thanks to the 4th graders down at Woodland Forrest Elementary this morning... a great audience! They will be on the KIDCAM today on ABC 33/40 News at 5:00.

I also need to remind you we have a prime time TV special coming up Sunday night at 6:00... the "TV version" of Storm Alert 2005. If you missed our show this year, you will be able to watch it Sunday night from 6:00 to 7:00 here on ABC 33/40. More details later!

The Wednesday morning video update is on the server:

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

We wrapped up our severe weather coverage this morning at 1:00... I wanted to thank J.B. Elliott, Bill Murray, Jason Simpson, John Oldshue, and Brian Peters for the great support during the past 24 hours. And, needless to say Bill Castle and his crew out in the field who have the real hard work in extremely difficult conditions.

The was a very dangerous storm that moved across eastern Chilton and Coosa counties around midnight... quite a velocity couplet. Thank goodness it moved over a relatively rural area and at this moment the only damage reports I see in that area involved downed trees.

The earlier tornado signature that moved along the Sipsey River in west Alabama, and into Tuscaloosa county was of great concern, but thankfully the storm started to weaken as it moved into the city of Tuscaloosa. Had a couple of reports of funnel clouds, but no major damage.

We are all thankful for a calmer day today...

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

*The weather should stay dry and mild through Friday. A nice warming trend after today, with mid 70s likely on Friday. Some model output shows upper 70s.

*Moisture will begin to return on Friday, and we might see showers around here by Friday night.

*The Easter weekend looks unsettled as another significant spring storm system approaches. A sharp, positive tilt upper trough is forecast to deepen and sweep through Alabama. For now we have mentioned the chance of scattered showers and storms on Saturday, with the storms becoming more widespread on Sunday. I still have some concern we will have a dual threat of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, but it is too early in the game to really define the threat. We won't have rain all weekend long, but if you have an outdoor event (like an Easter sunrise service or Easter egg hunt), you might have to dodge raindrops. And, maybe thunder and lightning.

*The cold core trough swings through here Monday of next week. Some pretty weird things can happen with features like that; for now we will mention the chance of a few stray showers. We might even have some small hail with those harmless rain showers because the air aloft will be so cold (if the GFS is correct).

*The numbers are warmer for early next week, so hopefully we will not have to worry about any late season freeze in that time frame.

*An active and progressive pattern continues; with more stormy periods ahead in the March 30-31 and April 2-3 period. Needless to say, the timing could change.

Off to Tuscaloosa today to speak to the kids at Woodland Forrest Elementary School this morning (not everyone is taking this week off.. I might try to slip in a power nap sometime after that!

Tornado Warning continues for Southern Clay and NW Tallapoosa County until 12:45 AM.

Strong indication of a tornado on radar.

Passed between Alexander City and Sylacauga to near Hackneyville and toward South Clay County.

at 12:50 AM, moving toward Wadley along the Randolph-Chambers County line. John Oldshue says this is the strongest indication (radar) of a tornado that he has seen in a long time.

At 12:46 AM, Tallapoosa County EMA Office said they had received a report of a funnel cloud sightning in the NE part of the county. No known damage but lots of rain and much lightning,

Shortest fused Tornado Warning I have ever seen in my 40+ years of weather work. A warning for SE Chilton County for 10 minutes until 11:45 PM.

Tornado Warning extended to include Coosa County until 12:30 AM. NWS says this is the strongest storm so far tonight.

New Tornado Watch issued for SE Alabama until 6 am.

Here we go again...
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Shelby County until 11:30 and the Tornado Watch is still around until 2 AM

The Severe thunderstorm was near Alabaster at 11 PM and moving NE at 40...moving toward Oak Mountain State Park and Chelsa.

Large hail may be the main trait in this storm. But there is lots of lightning. I was just out with a late night walk with Little Miss Molly and the lightning was brilliant in that direction.

Life goes on on this stormy night...