Modern tornado records are considered to have begin in 1950. If you plot annual tornado fatalities since that time, one single year stands out above all the rest. 1953. A total of 519 people lost their lives in tornadoes across the United States that year.

One of the deadly twisters occurred on April 30, 1953. The tornado struck the Warner Robbins AFB in Georgia. Eighteen Air Force personnel and their family members were killed. As a side note, some excellent footage was taken of the violent tornado as it tore across the base.

The Warner Robbins tornado was the beginning volley in a deadly season that would rage out of control all the way to December. Things really turned tragic in May, as 163 people perished. A massive tornado struck downtown Waco, Texas on May 11th, killing 114 people.

In June, an incredible 244 people died in tornadoes. Only two months have had more since 1950. You can probably guess them if you try. April 1974 and April 1965 (Palm Sunday Outbreak.) On June 8th, a powerful weather system produced a one-half wide-wide tornado that hit Flint, Michigan. The killer resulted in 116 people. It is the last single tornado to kill more than 100 people in the U.S.

The next day, the very same weather system produced a massive tornado that devastated a large part of Worcester, Massachusetts. New England’s deadliest tornado ever killed 94 people along a 46 mile path.

An endnote was added to the year on December 5th when an F4 tornado slammed into Vicksburg, Mississippi, killing 38 people. Never have killer tornadoes struck population centers with such deadly results.

The Saturday video map discussion is on the server at:

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

A large mass of clouds extended from the Great Lakes southward to the Gulf of Mexico presenting much of the eastern half of the country with a cloudy, gray day for the last Saturday of April. Hard to believe that April is just about gone. And that, unfortunately, puts the start of hurricane season just one month away. And yes, I have my bag packed should any hurricanes threaten the Alabama or Northwest Florida coast. I just hope I don't have to use it!

A very challenging forecast with all of the folks outdoors to see the races at Talladega today and tomorrow. Unfortunately, the computer model guidance does not spur confidence with the NAM and GFS coming up with rather different solutions.

I do expect much of the day to be dry today though with all the clouds out there a few sprinkles might occur at any time. There is a possibility we could see a few showers later this afternoon, but I don't think there will be many of those. The main event comes this evening and Sunday.

There is also a weak wedge in the surface pattern today as high pressure moves across Pennsylvania and cooler air noses down along the eastern side of the Apalachian Mountains affecting primarily northern Georgia. The effects on Alabama will be to increase our pressure gradient producing rather breezy conditions today.

Sunday will be a cloudy day with off and on periods of rain with some heavier showers embedded in the rain area. The main upper level system gets close to Alabama tomorrow before pulling off to the north-northeast. Sunday temperatures are not expected to get out of the 60s.

Monday sees an improvement in the weather, but with a good deal of moisture in the air, showers will be a possibility through mid-week. Afternoon highs should be in the 70s.

The next change comes toward the end of the week as a cold front drags through the Southeast US. And the GFS establishes a long wave trough over the eastern half of the country by next weekend resulting in northwesterly flow. This general pattern is currently forecast to stay with use for much of the next week so the first half of May could see normal to below normal temperatures if the GFS is correct.

Hope you have a great weekend. The next web video map discussion will be posted Sunday morning.

-Brian-