James Spann: Clearing for Alabama later today; more strong storms Friday afternoon By James Spann RADAR CHECK: Showers and a few thunderstorms persist across Alabama early this morning. So far they have been behaved with no severe weather. There is just a low-end risk of a few storms with gusty winds and small hail over the next few hours. The sky will become partly to mostly sunny late this morning into the afternoon as a slot of dry air works into the state. Temperatures will likely exceed 80 degrees in most places this afternoon. FRIDAY: The sky will be occasionally cloudy and the air becomes very unstable by afternoon, much like a summer day. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will form in this environment. The Storm Prediction Center has defined an enhanced risk (level 3 out of 5) of severe storms for a few counties in west Alabama; there is a slight risk (level 2 of 5) as far east as Decatur, Ashland, Troy and Foley and a marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for the rest of the state.