Hard to believe I am about two weeks away from the annual “Spann’s Best Way To The Bama Beaches” series. If you are new to this, every May I write about a creative, scenic way through the heart of Southwest Alabama for people traveling to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Why drive I-65? In the words of Dooby the cab driver on “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”, “all you see on the interstate is interstate”. Every year I try to carve out a trip that features great food, some Alabama history, stunning scenery, and a few surprises along the way. Sure, it takes longer, but you have to love the roads less traveled.

This past Saturday I did a little “research” for this year’s article. Actually, it was a great excuse to get out of the office after four consecutive days of severe weather and breathe some fresh air. First stop was the Sunshine Farms “U-Pick’Em” strawberry patch, off Chilton County road 37 near Fairview. Tim Minor, who runs the farm, told us he was seeing one of the best crops ever. He sure isn’t kidding; we spent some time and picked several baskets of the delicious berries on a sunny Saturday morning. We weren’t the only ones with that idea; seemed like everyone wanted to be in “Strawberry Fields Forever”. A very nice crowd.

From Sunshine Farms, it was on south into Autauga County and the community of Billingsley, and over to U.S. 82 for a quick jog over to Jim’s Pit Barbeque, which in my humble opinion has the best BBQ in Alabama. That is a very strongly worded statement for someone like me who hangs out at BBQ joints. Jim’s is on U.S. 82 just a few miles north of Billingsley, toward Maplesville. Like the strawberry field, the joint was packed. Guess great minds think alike.





To get to Sunshine Farms, head west out of Clanton on Alabama 22 (like you are going to Maplesville. Turn left onto County Road 37, and go about five to seven miles, and it is on the left.

Be looking for my 2006 version of “Spann’s Best Way To The Bama Beaches” coming soon!            

So what do you want to be when you grow up?

I sure get the idea that Brian Peters and Jason Simpson have an idea! Thanks to our friend Mike McCormick for this picture of Brian and Jason in their new role with the Hollis Cross Roads Fire Department!

The Monday afternoon map discussion video is on the server:

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

A quick peek at temperatures this afternoon shows most places in the 83 to 86 degree range with a good supply of sunshine. To the west, big storms are firing over the northeast part of Oklahoma.

SPC maintains a moderate risk of severe weather for parts of Oklahoma and Kansas for the rest of the afternoon, with a slight risk to the east into parts of Arkansas and Missouri.

TOMORROW/WEDNESDAY: Still looks like the best chance showers and storms here will come from about 6:00 p.m. tomorrow through 12:00 noon on Wednesday. The GFS is more bullish on the rain event, and keeps the rain going longer on Wednesday. And, SPC has a slight risk of severe weather for West and North Alabama late tomorrow and tomorrow night. A few strong to severe storms will be possible from about 4:00 p.m. until midnight tomorrow, mainly along and west of I-59.

The NAM suggests surface based CAPE values will approach 2,000 j/kg over much of West and Central Alabama tomorrow afternoon... but wind fields are relatively weak (850 winds only in the 20 to 30 knot range). Not exactly a classic severe weather setup, but we will surely keep an eye on it.

Wednesday will be much cooler with daytime highs only in the 67 to 70 degree range.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Some beautiful weather on these days; lots of sun with highs in the low to mid 70s. Low humidity, very comfortable.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY: The 12Z run of the GFS sure looks better for NASCAR fans. There is no doubt there will be some rain around over the weekend; the latest GFS hints at the bulk of the rain coming from about 5:00 p.m. Saturday through 9:00 a.m. Sunday. But, all of that can, and probably will change in coming days as the weekend gets closer.

NEXT WEEK: Long range guidance suggests the first half of the week will be dry, with some showers possible by Wednesday May 3 and Thursday May 4...

I sure enjoyed seeing the second graders today at South Shades Crest Elementary in Hoover; look for them on the KIDCAM on ABC 33/40 News at 5:00. Also, I enjoyed speaking to the Montclair Medical Center Auxiliary today at The Club. They work long and hard hours at Montclair and are wonderful volunteers!

I will have the next map discussion video on the server by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow!

The Monday morning map discussion video is on the server:

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

Warm and dry weather will headline our forecast again today; most spots will be in the mid to upper 80s this aftenroon with sunshine through scattered clouds. We will be watching developments over the plains today; SPC has a small moderate moderate risk area defined for parts of Kansas and Oklahoma. A slight risk extends eastward to Tennessee, but we believe Alabama will stay dry.

TOMORROW: A surface front will push some showers and storms into the northern third of the state late in the day, and SPC has parts of North and West Alabama under a slight risk of severe storms. I think the best chance of severe storms will come from about 6:00 until 12:00 midnight, with the best setup along and west of I-59. Rain and a few storms will continue after midnight, with rainfall amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch likely.

WEDNESDAY: A different kind of day. Looks like we stay in the 60s all day, with temperatures around 10 degrees BELOW normal for late April. While the morning looks wet, the rain should end from west to east during the midday hours.

THURSDAY/FRIDAY: These days look very nice, with ample sunshine and highs in the 71 to 76 degree range. Humidity levels will be low.

THE WEEKEND: This is race weekend at Talladega, and NASCAR fans will be dealing with some rain at times. A northern branch system is forecast to form over the Midwest, and will send a surface boundary down this way. For now, it appears the best chance of rain will come Saturday night into Sunday. Severe storms don't look especially likely for the moment, but rainfall amounts of 1/2 to 1 inch seem likely. Much of the day Saturday should be dry, if the latest run of the GFS is correct.

TODAY: A busy day lined up... I will be doing a weather program this morning at South Shades Crest Elementary at 9:30... then on to a function the The Club at 11:30. I will be in the office after that and the afternoon video discussion will be posted by 3:30!

HAIL PICTURES/VIDEO: Once again, if you want to go back and look at viewers pictures and video of last week's hail storms, see them on our pictures category:

http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/cat/wxtalk/15/Pictures

Thanks to everyone who sent images to us; I will try to sort through more of them and post more pictures later today or tonight!