The big, strong thunderstorm that came out of Blount County and passed through North and West Jefferson County has weakened greatly over Tuscaloosa County.
0.69 rainfall was observed at the 3340 WeatherNet site in East Tuscaloosa. The heaviest rain passed west of the location.
1.42 inches in 30 minutes fell from an earlier storm at Taylorville, south of Tuscaloosa.
Based on radar estimates, over three inches of rain fell in Hale County between Greensboro and Sawyerville.
Down in East Alabama, 1.96 inches of rain today at Horseshoe Bend.
This will probably be our last update unless something refires.
James Spann's morning discussion will be posted here in less than 90 minutes. He will probably include a list of some of the heaviest rainfall today.
Finally--T-Storms Going Downhill
August 10, 2005, 7:35 pmThe Lightning Parade
August 10, 2005, 6:54 pm
That big, strong thunderstorm continues marching toward the SW--now passing through West Jefferson County.
Most of the thunderstorm has now crossed U.S. 78 and was moving toward Hueytown, Bessemer, Birmingport and North Johns. It will eventually move into NE Tuscaloosa County.
The lightning is continuous and very dangerous. Rain is also heavy.
My son with the Birmingham Fire Dept., is on duty at Station One downtown tonight. He said that he has not seen lightning like that in a long, long time.
No formal warning with this storm. Lightning is not a criteria for a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
If I wrote the rules, it certainly would be.
Further south, down into West Alabama, the stronger thunderstorms were over Greene County, near Eutaw.
Widespread moderate rain as thunderstorms diminish over Bibb, Hale and Perry County.
Just before 7 pm, we got this report from Tuscaloosa:
Heaviest rain i have ever seen in Tuscaloosa. Within half an hour there was about a foot and a half of water under the University Blvd. overpass on McFarland. Amazing.
Most of the thunderstorm has now crossed U.S. 78 and was moving toward Hueytown, Bessemer, Birmingport and North Johns. It will eventually move into NE Tuscaloosa County.
The lightning is continuous and very dangerous. Rain is also heavy.
My son with the Birmingham Fire Dept., is on duty at Station One downtown tonight. He said that he has not seen lightning like that in a long, long time.
No formal warning with this storm. Lightning is not a criteria for a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
If I wrote the rules, it certainly would be.
Further south, down into West Alabama, the stronger thunderstorms were over Greene County, near Eutaw.
Widespread moderate rain as thunderstorms diminish over Bibb, Hale and Perry County.
Just before 7 pm, we got this report from Tuscaloosa:
Heaviest rain i have ever seen in Tuscaloosa. Within half an hour there was about a foot and a half of water under the University Blvd. overpass on McFarland. Amazing.
WHEN CHILDREN FEAR SEVERE WEATHER--What Can We Do?
August 10, 2005, 6:30 pm
It is a problem and we have known that for years. An e-mail from one of our readers asked advice on how to alleviate the fears of children who are extremely afraid during severe weather events.
The reader has a grandson who gets so scared that he literally gets sick. Some adults are also extremely afraid during tornado events.
If any of you have suggestions, we would love to hear them. You can do it by e-mail or post your comments at the end of this story. Just click on "Comment."
NOTE: We would like to use some of your comments in a followup story. We promise not to use your name.
It is very important that adults in the family try to stay calm and collected as much as possible. Naturally, your plan of action should already include the safest place in the house—often the smallest room on the lowest floor.
It is also good to emphasize to your kids that the mathematical chance of your home getting hit by a tornado is extremely small. Most people go a lifetime without any tornado damage.
By their very nature, tornado warnings sound scary, but that is necessary to get people to react.
Why not engage your children or grandkids in NON WEATHER conversation while all of you are in your "safe area." Even play word games or cards.
Better yet, read to them.
It is human nature to get nervous when a major severe weather event is underway. This is especially true if a tornado has struck near by in the not too distant past.
In many years of National Weather Service duties, I noticed that after a major tornado, the awareness during future threats went through the roof. For example, after an F5 tornado devastated the NW side of Birmingham in April, 1977 (the Smithfield tornado) people were on edge for several years that followed. An ordinary thunderstorm would bring a bunch of calls.
In closing, one of the most important things, in my opinion, is to make every effort to keep your children from being home alone when severe weather threatens.
We welcome your thoughts...
The reader has a grandson who gets so scared that he literally gets sick. Some adults are also extremely afraid during tornado events.
If any of you have suggestions, we would love to hear them. You can do it by e-mail or post your comments at the end of this story. Just click on "Comment."
NOTE: We would like to use some of your comments in a followup story. We promise not to use your name.
It is very important that adults in the family try to stay calm and collected as much as possible. Naturally, your plan of action should already include the safest place in the house—often the smallest room on the lowest floor.
It is also good to emphasize to your kids that the mathematical chance of your home getting hit by a tornado is extremely small. Most people go a lifetime without any tornado damage.
By their very nature, tornado warnings sound scary, but that is necessary to get people to react.
Why not engage your children or grandkids in NON WEATHER conversation while all of you are in your "safe area." Even play word games or cards.
Better yet, read to them.
It is human nature to get nervous when a major severe weather event is underway. This is especially true if a tornado has struck near by in the not too distant past.
In many years of National Weather Service duties, I noticed that after a major tornado, the awareness during future threats went through the roof. For example, after an F5 tornado devastated the NW side of Birmingham in April, 1977 (the Smithfield tornado) people were on edge for several years that followed. An ordinary thunderstorm would bring a bunch of calls.
In closing, one of the most important things, in my opinion, is to make every effort to keep your children from being home alone when severe weather threatens.
We welcome your thoughts...
by J.B. Elliott
in Severe Weather
Look Out For That Lightning!
August 10, 2005, 6:10 pm
That very strong thunderstorm that came out of Blount County has crossed the North part of Jefferson County, across I-65 and U.S 31, North and is now crossing U. S. 78 NW of Birmingham.
Moving toward Brookside, Adamsville, Graysville, Pleasant Grove and Oak Grove.
It is a big thunderstorm and it continues toward the SW.
It is loaded with dangerous lighting and heavy rain. This storm missed Trussville to the west. But from where I sit, in NE Trussville, there was no break in the sound of thunder. It was continuous.
Further south in West Alabama, the strongest storms were clustered over NW Hale, NE Greene and SE Pickens Coiunty. Those were also moving SW.
Moving toward Brookside, Adamsville, Graysville, Pleasant Grove and Oak Grove.
It is a big thunderstorm and it continues toward the SW.
It is loaded with dangerous lighting and heavy rain. This storm missed Trussville to the west. But from where I sit, in NE Trussville, there was no break in the sound of thunder. It was continuous.
Further south in West Alabama, the strongest storms were clustered over NW Hale, NE Greene and SE Pickens Coiunty. Those were also moving SW.
How The Storms Look at 6:30
August 10, 2005, 5:38 pm
Heaviest rain now over West Tuscaloosa County southward near the Hale-Greene County line into Marengo and Clarke County.
The storms moving SW.
An individual strong thunderstorms was over Extreme North Jefferson County near Warrior and Palmerdale. Moving SW with lots of lightning and heavy rain. Moving generally toward Gardendale and Fultondale...may pass near or just west of Birmingham.
Storms dumped 1.42 inches of rain in about 1/2 hour at Taylorville, south of Tuscaloosa.
Overall, the east Alabama storms are weaker.
The storms moving SW.
An individual strong thunderstorms was over Extreme North Jefferson County near Warrior and Palmerdale. Moving SW with lots of lightning and heavy rain. Moving generally toward Gardendale and Fultondale...may pass near or just west of Birmingham.
Storms dumped 1.42 inches of rain in about 1/2 hour at Taylorville, south of Tuscaloosa.
Overall, the east Alabama storms are weaker.
Pouring in Tuscaloosa County
August 10, 2005, 5:06 pm
1.42 inches of rain in a little over one-half hour at Taylorville, south of Tuscaloosa.
Very heavy rain and much lightning through Central Tuscaloosa County from north to south and even down into North Hale County.
We are watching closely an individual very strong thunderstorm along the Jefferson-Blount County line. It iis moving SW in the general direction of Birmingham.
Very heavy rain and much lightning through Central Tuscaloosa County from north to south and even down into North Hale County.
We are watching closely an individual very strong thunderstorm along the Jefferson-Blount County line. It iis moving SW in the general direction of Birmingham.
by J.B. Elliott
in General Thoughts
Bright Lightning and Loud Thunder--5:30 pm Update
August 10, 2005, 4:35 pm
Amazing how storms in West Alabama have gathered in a north-south line from North Tuscaloosa County southward through the Tuscaloosa-Northport area...and south across Hale, Marengo and Clarke County.
Some of the heaviest rain between Greensboro and Linden and east of Moundville.
In East Alabama, the heaviest rain was over Cleburne and also over South Chambers and North Lee County.
A smaller very heavy shower over North Blount County.
The West Alabama storms are moving SW. The East Alabama storms moving south and SE.
In all the bigger storms, lightning is popping very often and bright.
Some of the heaviest rain between Greensboro and Linden and east of Moundville.
In East Alabama, the heaviest rain was over Cleburne and also over South Chambers and North Lee County.
A smaller very heavy shower over North Blount County.
The West Alabama storms are moving SW. The East Alabama storms moving south and SE.
In all the bigger storms, lightning is popping very often and bright.
Some West Alabama Downpours
August 10, 2005, 3:54 pm
West Alabama storms now dumping very heavy rain over NW Bibb and SE Tuscaloosa County. Some of the heaviest rain along U. S. 82 from near Centreville-Brent, NW to near Duncanville SE of the Tuscaloosa area.
In East Alabama, the heaviest rain shifted from South Randolph County southward into Chambers County. Some of the heaviest rain in the whole state seems to be near and NE of Lafayette.
Storms moving generally southward but at times, they look like a drunk trying to walk.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM COOSA COUNTY:
We have a report of 2.26 inches of rin in only one hour earlier today from Weogufka with vivid lightning and house-shaking thunder.
In East Alabama, the heaviest rain shifted from South Randolph County southward into Chambers County. Some of the heaviest rain in the whole state seems to be near and NE of Lafayette.
Storms moving generally southward but at times, they look like a drunk trying to walk.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM COOSA COUNTY:
We have a report of 2.26 inches of rin in only one hour earlier today from Weogufka with vivid lightning and house-shaking thunder.
More Buckets of Rain--4 O'clock Update
August 10, 2005, 3:07 pm
Buckets of rain again this afternoon across Central Alabama.
At 4 pm, the big thunderstorms were lined up in a zig-zag fashion from Randolph County along the Georgia border westward across Tallapoosa, Coosa, Chilton and Perry Counties.
New showers have developed over North Alabama from Fayette County NE across Walker and Cullman.
Everything seems to be working its way southward but in now hurry.
Some of the heaviest rain of all now over South Randolph County near Rock Mills, Roanoke and Wadley. Surely must be some road and street flooding in that area.
We will see some rainfall totals well over two inches again this afternoon.
At 4 pm, the big thunderstorms were lined up in a zig-zag fashion from Randolph County along the Georgia border westward across Tallapoosa, Coosa, Chilton and Perry Counties.
New showers have developed over North Alabama from Fayette County NE across Walker and Cullman.
Everything seems to be working its way southward but in now hurry.
Some of the heaviest rain of all now over South Randolph County near Rock Mills, Roanoke and Wadley. Surely must be some road and street flooding in that area.
We will see some rainfall totals well over two inches again this afternoon.
Active Afternoon Storms
August 10, 2005, 1:47 pm
The Wednesday afternoon map discussion video is on the server:
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
I like J.B.'s afternoon discussion today over on the seven day page... how many ways can you say "scattered, mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms". That is the story for the next five to seven days... temperatures will peak near 90 degrees before storms develop. And, some neighborhoods will get heavy rain. I simply don't see much reason to change the forecast much right on through early next week. The NAM is way too dry... rolled with the GFS.
Nice storm over downtown Birmingham this afternoon... our weathernet site at Legion Field shows 0.68" during the last 30 minutes. J.B. will keep the blog updated on storm developments through the rest of the afternoon.
IRENE: Looks like Irene will indeed survive and threaten the Atlantic coast of the U.S. toward the middle of next week. While many of the models are pointing to North Carolina, I still say everyone as far south as Jacksonville will need to watch this thing closely. See the video for complete thoughts...
Thanks to Pastor Harry Reed over at Briarwood Presbyterian Church for having me as a guest on his radio program this afternoon. Glad the big storm overhead during the show didn't knock the power out!
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
I like J.B.'s afternoon discussion today over on the seven day page... how many ways can you say "scattered, mainly afternoon and evening thunderstorms". That is the story for the next five to seven days... temperatures will peak near 90 degrees before storms develop. And, some neighborhoods will get heavy rain. I simply don't see much reason to change the forecast much right on through early next week. The NAM is way too dry... rolled with the GFS.
Nice storm over downtown Birmingham this afternoon... our weathernet site at Legion Field shows 0.68" during the last 30 minutes. J.B. will keep the blog updated on storm developments through the rest of the afternoon.
IRENE: Looks like Irene will indeed survive and threaten the Atlantic coast of the U.S. toward the middle of next week. While many of the models are pointing to North Carolina, I still say everyone as far south as Jacksonville will need to watch this thing closely. See the video for complete thoughts...
Thanks to Pastor Harry Reed over at Briarwood Presbyterian Church for having me as a guest on his radio program this afternoon. Glad the big storm overhead during the show didn't knock the power out!