West Alabama Thursday Briefing

Good morning West Alabama! It is Thursday, March 20, 2025. It is the first day of spring! This is the 79th day of the year with 286 remaining.

Thursday Morning Observations:

This may be the first day of spring but tomorrow will feel more like mid-winter. A Freeze Warning will be in effect between1:00am and 9:00am Friday. But what about the seasonal outlook?

According to the Spring Weather Outlook issued by NOAA, much of the country is forecast to see warmer-than-average temperatures. Meanwhile, there are equal chances for precipitation this spring. However, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center (CPC) cautions there is low confidence in their precipitation outlook for the southeast due to a number of different factors. (Talk about hedging your bet!)

According to the CPC tomorrow's freezing temperatures across North Alabama and frost potential all the way to south Alabama may be the last, or will it? The forecast adds there is an outside chance of one more freeze before the end of the month. (Hope these guys don't bet.)

According to NOAA Climate Change is making weather forecasting more difficult. However, there are some troubling trends:

Temperatures were above average over much of the globe, particularly in the Arctic, but much below average over western Canada and the central United States
Global and Arctic Sea ice extent ranked lowest on record for February.
Twelve named storms occurred across the globe in February, which set an all-time record for the month.
Last month was the third-warmest February on record. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a 4% chance that 2025 will rank as the warmest year on record.
The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in February was slightly below average. It was more than 2-feet below average in some spots which may result in deeper drought this summer.
Alaska had its third-warmest winter, while Hawai’i had its second warmest and fifth-driest winter on record.
About 44.4% of the contiguous U.S. was in drought, including much of Alabama, up about 2% from the beginning of February.
Significant wildland fire potential for March is above normal across portions of the Southwest, Deep South and Southeast, including Alabama.
The National Hurricane Center issued a rare first tropical outlook of 2025 for a disturbance in the Atlantic on Monday. Is it an omen of things to come?

According to long-range forecasters, we may be in for a bumpy severe weather ride in 2025.

(Opinions expressed in Morning Observations are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)

Weather:

The Northern Half of Alabama will be under a Freeze Warning effective between 1:00am and 9:00am Friday. This includes Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties northward.

Temperatures will drop into the upper 20s to low 30s on Friday morning. Protect cold-sensitive plants, people, and pets during this time.

A Frost Advisory will also be in effect between 1:00am and 9:00am Friday morning for the southern half of Alabama including Bibb, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties in West Alabama.

Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

The Forecast:

Today

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight

Areas of frost after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday

Widespread frost, mainly before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 75. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Sunday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Sunday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

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Topping the News:

Holt High Teacher Charged with Public Intoxication

Holt High special education teacher Melissa Steele is on administrative leave pending an investigation into her misdemeanor arrest for public intoxication yesterday at Holt High School. In an online letter Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Keri Johnson, informed parents that no substances were located on the Holt High campus or in the teacher’s vehicle.

Read More: Holt High School Teacher Arrested for Public Intoxication on Campus

Continued Dry Conditions Spark Wildfires

Despite all the rain this past weekend, Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale, Sumter and Marengo counties and northwest Bibb are listed on the new U.S. Drought Monitor as still Abnormally Dry.

The dry conditions are helping spark wildfires. There are currently nine wildfires burning in West Alabama, three in Tuscaloosa County. The largest is a 70-acre blaze just off Medline Road in East Perry County.

There are 39 fires statewide, including three that are considered control.

NWS Finished Counting Tornadoes in West Alabama

Continued National Weather Service surveys have confirmed that 14 tornadoes touched down across Central Alabama during the severe weather event last Saturday. The tornadoes varied in intensity, with one rated as an EF3, six as EF2, four as EF1, and three as EF.0 twisters.

The Gordo Tornado, was rated EF2 with peak winds of 115 mph. It was on the grounds for 21.53 miles in Pickens County.

Dollar General Closing and Opening Stores

Dollar General, which seems to have one of its 20,000 stores on every corner, is closing 100 of them while also adding 575 new ones. Which stores will be closed and where the new ones will be located has not been released by the company. There are 15 Dollar General Stores in the Tuscaloosa/Northport area. DG has not released a list of the stores that are closing or the planned new ones.

Gov. Ivey Signs One of Her Public Safety Bills

Glock switches are now illegal in Alabama. The ban was part of Gov. Ivey’s public safety legislative package called “Back the Blue”. Under the new law signed by Ivey Wednesday, it now becomes illegal for anyone to own part of a combination of parts intended to convert a pistol into an automatic weapon.

State Tax Cut Bill Doesn't Go Far Enough Alabama Dems

A $192 million tax cut bill has passed the Alabama House, but minority leader Anthony Daniels told a press conference more needs to be done such as making not taxing tips permanent. Daniels told reporters the state may be losing income tax revenue but will be gaining sales tax revenue due to the extra money that would be in Alabama resident's pockets.

The bill now moves to the Senate for further deliberation.

Alabama's Version of White House's DOGE Wants More Money

Alabama has had its own version of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since 2019. It is called the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, or ACES. They have had minimal success in cutting the already understaffed state government agencies and departments. Now they are asking the Alabama House Fiscal Responsibility Committee for more funds.

ACES Director Marcus Morgan testified before the committee yesterday, telling members in a lot of cases ACES has had a very deficient amount of data from which to draw conclusions.

UA/Stillman/Shelton Graduation Just Around the Corner

Area College students have just returned from spring break and now the students and faculty are heading down the stretch toward the end of the spring semester and graduation.

UA has set spring commencement exercises May 2-4 at Coleman Coliseum with about 6,700 students are expected to graduate
Stillman College graduation is scheduled for May 10.
Shelton State Community College ceremonies will be May 2 in the gymnasium at the main Martin campus.
University of West Alabama in Livingston commencement is May 8-9 but is subject to change.
Bevill State Community College graduation is scheduled for May 7th for the Fayette & Hamilton Campuses at the Hamilton Campus Bevill Business & Community Center and May 8th for the Jasper & Sumiton Campuses at the Jasper Campus Rowland Auditorium

UA Student Organizations File Complaint

Several left leaning student organizations have filed an official complaint over UA allowing another right leaning student organization, Young Americans for Freedom, to gender identity and sexual orientation terms from their non-discrimination clause of their constitution.

The complaining student organization claim the waver stands in the way of progress on campus.

Mayor Maddox Backs Area Water Resources in Mayor's Minute

Tuscaloosa is fortunate to have high quality water resources and Mayor Walt Maddox wants to continue to protect them. During his new "Mayor's Minute" Maddox wrote, "Lake Tuscaloosa is the City’s greatest natural resource. Not only does it provide clean drinking water to 94% of Tuscaloosa County, but it also gives us prolific recreational opportunities and drives our economic growth. "

Maddox also points out the importance of two other lakes, Lake Nicol, Harris Lake as key water resources.

Maddox also announced the 2025 Love Our Lakes Day hosted by the City on Saturday, May 3 from 8 – 10 in the morning. He says volunteers, especially those with boats, are needed. More information will be released soon.

Topping Sports News:

Baseball Battle Begins Tonight at "The Joe"

12^th ranked Alabama Baseball opens a three-game series with defending national champion and top ranked Tennessee tonight at “The Joe”. First pitch is 6:30.

The starting pitchers for tonight's game will be UA LHP Zane Adams vs. UT LHP Liam Doyle.

Tonight's SEC home open will see the giveaway of camo caps and will give double Tide Loyalty Point.

Saturday's contest is a complete sellout.

Here is this weekend's schedule:

Tonight vs. No. 1 Tennessee – 6:30 p.m. CT – ESPNU
Friday vs. No. 1 Tennessee – 6:00 p.m. CT – SEC Network+
Saturday vs. No. 1 Tennessee – 1:00 p.m. CT – SEC Network+

ROLL TIDE!

Bama Softball Drops Another Home Game

Bama Softball lost to 9^th ranked FSU 5-2 at the Rhodes House last night. The Tide (21-10) took the early lead 2-0 over Florida State (26-5) but the Seminoles bats came alive to pick up the win.

Alabama is now 7-9 all-time vs. Florida State, including a 6-4 mark in Tuscaloosa

UA opens a three-game series at Texas A&M tomorrow.

Bama and Auburn Men's Basketball Set to Open NCAA March Madness Run

#2 seed Alabama faces #15 seed Robert Morris in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Cleveland, OH tomorrow morning. Tipoff is scheduled for 11:40am CDT. Alabama is a 22.5-point favorite.

#1 seed Auburn takes on a challenge from a familiar team, 16 seeded Alabama State. The Yellow Jackets played their way into the tournament by winning their "First Four" game. The game is at 1:50 CDT today at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY. Auburn is a 32.5-point favorite.

Official NCAA Tournament BRACKET.

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Have a great Thursday and ROLL TIDE, BEAT THE VOLS!