WARNINGS
Hurricane Warning remains for the Gulf Coast of Florida from Longboat Key to Ochlockonee River. A Tropical Storm Warning continues south of Longboat Key to Englewood and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass. Over on the Atlantic side, a Tropical Storm Warning is posted for the Atlantic coast from Flagler Beach, Florida north to the Georgia-South Carolina border. which is the mouth of the Savannah River.
LOCATION AND MOVEMENT
The 10:00 p.m. position report was near latitude 28.4 N, longitude 84.6 W or about 95 miles SSE of Apalacicola and about 105 miles WSW of Cedar Key. Alberto was moving NE at 10 mph and that should be the story for the next 24 hours.
WINDS
Highest sustained winds are still around 70 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuation is possible before making landfall and Alberto still has the potential to reach hurricane force before reaching the coast Tuesday morning. Tropical force winds extend outward up to 160 miles to the NE and SE of the center. Tropical storm force winds were spreading onshore late tonight from Venice northward to Apalachee Bay.
STORM SURGE AND RAINFALL AMOUNTS
Coastal storm surge of 8 to 10 feet above normal tide levels over a large portion of the warning area. Tide levels are already running 2 feet above normal. Total rainfall will amount to 4 to 8 inches with isolated amounts to 10 inches. That should occur across Central and North Florida, South and SE Georgia. A few spin-off tornadoes may occur over parts of Central and North Florida and South Georgia tonight and Tuesday.
SPOT REPORTS
Panama City...cloudy, E 12
Apalachicola...moderate rain, NE 14
Cross City...E 17, gusts 29
Gainesville...light rain, E 12
Orlando...cloudy, SE 15
Clearwater...heavy rain, SE 29, gusts 38
McDill Air Force Base...light rain, S 22, gusts 39
Sarasota and St. Petersburg...moderate rain, S, gusts to 36
Cedar Key...E 37, gusts 44
ADDITIONAL NOTES
About 4 inches of rain has already fallen in a number of locations in West-Central Florida. A few tornadoes were reported in West Florida this afternoon in DeSoto County, but we have no confirmed reports of major property damage so far.
Late Night Look At Alberto
June 12, 2006, 10:50 pm
by J.B. Elliott
in Tropical Weather
Brief Late Look at Alabama--10:25 pm Report
June 12, 2006, 10:27 pm
Only thunderstorms in Alabama late tonight were very close to the coast--over the extreme south parts of both Mobile and Baldwin County.
Drier air is pushing into the north part of the state.
The circulation around Alberto was actually bringing some rain around the east and NE part of the circulation and sending it to the NW approaching the SE corner of Alabama.
2.05 inches of rain in Helena this afternoon
1.59 in Inverness
Drier air is pushing into the north part of the state.
The circulation around Alberto was actually bringing some rain around the east and NE part of the circulation and sending it to the NW approaching the SE corner of Alabama.
2.05 inches of rain in Helena this afternoon
1.59 in Inverness
Texas Steak Story... Continued...
June 12, 2006, 9:09 pm
The end of the steak story and the aftermath . . .
So, I had just hit the wall where my body did not want to be part of this feat any longer. From there till the end, every bite I took was a struggle. I tried to eat salad and shrimp cocktail between bites of steak in order to break the monotony, but it wasn't much help. About 30 minutes in I asked a waitress to bring the trash can over just in case, but I held strong. Thankfully, I had plenty of help from the crowd as at least 25 or so different people came up at different times to offer words of encouragement. I was a celebrity, briefly, in Amarillo, Texas.
In the end, though, I was unable to conquer the steak. I never quit, as I kept eating up until the clock hit one hour. I was disappointed that I couldn't finish, but I could be proud that I was able to eat 54 ounces of that 72 ounce monster. Everyone on the chase was proud of me, but it sure would have been nice to get that steak for free since the whole ordeal probably shaved several years off my life.
After time was up, we headed for the vans. I didn't feel great but I didn't feel as bad as I thought I might. Thankfully, I never really got sick-sick: I was able to keep everything down. Even so, I was "not right" for the next 4 or 5 days. I guess that's the price you pay, though, for eating more than you have ever had before in one sitting.
That night at the Big Texan was definitely one of the more exciting things that happened on the whole trip, unfortunately, as the weather was still looking pretty dry and calm for the next week or so. We did get to see some interesting sights, though, and a few storms too, eventually.
See pictures of Drew in action here:
http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/post/wxtalk/4732/
More to come...
Drew McCombs
ABC 33/40 Weather Intern
abc3340wx2@gmail.com
So, I had just hit the wall where my body did not want to be part of this feat any longer. From there till the end, every bite I took was a struggle. I tried to eat salad and shrimp cocktail between bites of steak in order to break the monotony, but it wasn't much help. About 30 minutes in I asked a waitress to bring the trash can over just in case, but I held strong. Thankfully, I had plenty of help from the crowd as at least 25 or so different people came up at different times to offer words of encouragement. I was a celebrity, briefly, in Amarillo, Texas.
In the end, though, I was unable to conquer the steak. I never quit, as I kept eating up until the clock hit one hour. I was disappointed that I couldn't finish, but I could be proud that I was able to eat 54 ounces of that 72 ounce monster. Everyone on the chase was proud of me, but it sure would have been nice to get that steak for free since the whole ordeal probably shaved several years off my life.
After time was up, we headed for the vans. I didn't feel great but I didn't feel as bad as I thought I might. Thankfully, I never really got sick-sick: I was able to keep everything down. Even so, I was "not right" for the next 4 or 5 days. I guess that's the price you pay, though, for eating more than you have ever had before in one sitting.
That night at the Big Texan was definitely one of the more exciting things that happened on the whole trip, unfortunately, as the weather was still looking pretty dry and calm for the next week or so. We did get to see some interesting sights, though, and a few storms too, eventually.
See pictures of Drew in action here:
http://www.jamesspann.com/bmachine/post/wxtalk/4732/
More to come...
Drew McCombs
ABC 33/40 Weather Intern
abc3340wx2@gmail.com
by James Spann
in General Thoughts
Tropical Storm Alberto Update--Spot Reports
June 12, 2006, 8:53 pm
Most of these reports at 8 pm, CDT, or 9 pm, Florida Time:
Panama City...mostly cloudy, wind east 10 mph
Apalachicola...moderate rain, NE 15, gusts 21
Jacksonville...light rain, SE 10
Orlando...cloudy, SE 8
Lakeland...light rain, SE 12
Daytona Beach...cloudy, east 8
Sarasota...cloudy, south 25, gusts 36
BUOY REPORT
The West Tampa Buoy anchored about 120 miles WNW of Tampa was reporting winds SE at 36 mph with gusts to 49 and 21-foot waves
RAINFALL LAST 24 HOURS
1.93 inches at Daytona
1.08 at Cross City
1.63 at Orlando
3.80 at Sarasota-Bradenton
2.66 at St. Petersburg
2.85 at St. Petersburg-Clearwater
2.61 at Tampa
2.71 at Winter Haven
Much of this rain is falling over an area that is way short on 2006 rainfall. Jacksonville, for example, a nine-inch deficit. Also, numerous fires have occurred in recent months so this rain is truly a God-send.
Panama City...mostly cloudy, wind east 10 mph
Apalachicola...moderate rain, NE 15, gusts 21
Jacksonville...light rain, SE 10
Orlando...cloudy, SE 8
Lakeland...light rain, SE 12
Daytona Beach...cloudy, east 8
Sarasota...cloudy, south 25, gusts 36
BUOY REPORT
The West Tampa Buoy anchored about 120 miles WNW of Tampa was reporting winds SE at 36 mph with gusts to 49 and 21-foot waves
RAINFALL LAST 24 HOURS
1.93 inches at Daytona
1.08 at Cross City
1.63 at Orlando
3.80 at Sarasota-Bradenton
2.66 at St. Petersburg
2.85 at St. Petersburg-Clearwater
2.61 at Tampa
2.71 at Winter Haven
Much of this rain is falling over an area that is way short on 2006 rainfall. Jacksonville, for example, a nine-inch deficit. Also, numerous fires have occurred in recent months so this rain is truly a God-send.
by J.B. Elliott
in Tropical Weather
The Alabama Story at 8 pm
June 12, 2006, 8:03 pm
It is a story of much calmer weather over almost all of the state.
At 8 pm, the only thunderstorms were over the far SW part of the state in Washington and Clarke County. There were also some showers in South Baldwin County near Gulf Shores.
At 8 pm, the only thunderstorms were over the far SW part of the state in Washington and Clarke County. There were also some showers in South Baldwin County near Gulf Shores.
Evening Update on Tropical Storm Alberto
June 12, 2006, 7:48 pm
POSITION REPORT
At 7:00 p.m., the center of Alberto was near latitude 28.0 North, longitude 84.9 West, or about 130 miles SW of Cedar Key.
MOVEMENT
Alberto was moving NE at 8 and this general motion should continue for the next 24 hours but some increase in forward speed. The center should reach the coast early Tuesday.
WINDS
Highest sustained were near 70 mph. There are higher gusts. Alberto could still become a hurricane before landfall. However, strong convection has moved completely away from the circulation center.
STORM SURGE AND RAINFALL
Coastal storm surge flooding of 8 to10 feet above normal tide levels over much of the warning area. Storm total rainfall amounts are 4 to 8 inches across parts of Central and North Florida and SE Georgia, mainly along and to the right of the track. A few spin-off tornadoes are possible in parts of Central and North Florida through tonight.
HURRICANE WARNING
Hurricane Warning continues from Longboat Key to the Ochlockonee River. It means hurricane conditions within the next 24 hours.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING
...Still in effect south of Longboat Key to Englewood and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass. This means tropical storm conditions within the next 24 hours.
...the NHC also posted a Tropical Storm Warning on the Atlantic side from Flagler Beach near St. Augustine northward to the Savannah River, which is at the Georgia-South Carolina border.
FORECASAT TRACK
Alberto It is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida possibly as a hurricane (minimal) and continue NE through North Florida tracking across SE Georgia and Eastern South Carolina west of both Savannah and Charleston and then across SE North Carolina and entering the Atlantic along the North Caroline Outer Banks.
At 7:00 p.m., the center of Alberto was near latitude 28.0 North, longitude 84.9 West, or about 130 miles SW of Cedar Key.
MOVEMENT
Alberto was moving NE at 8 and this general motion should continue for the next 24 hours but some increase in forward speed. The center should reach the coast early Tuesday.
WINDS
Highest sustained were near 70 mph. There are higher gusts. Alberto could still become a hurricane before landfall. However, strong convection has moved completely away from the circulation center.
STORM SURGE AND RAINFALL
Coastal storm surge flooding of 8 to10 feet above normal tide levels over much of the warning area. Storm total rainfall amounts are 4 to 8 inches across parts of Central and North Florida and SE Georgia, mainly along and to the right of the track. A few spin-off tornadoes are possible in parts of Central and North Florida through tonight.
HURRICANE WARNING
Hurricane Warning continues from Longboat Key to the Ochlockonee River. It means hurricane conditions within the next 24 hours.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING
...Still in effect south of Longboat Key to Englewood and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass. This means tropical storm conditions within the next 24 hours.
...the NHC also posted a Tropical Storm Warning on the Atlantic side from Flagler Beach near St. Augustine northward to the Savannah River, which is at the Georgia-South Carolina border.
FORECASAT TRACK
Alberto It is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida possibly as a hurricane (minimal) and continue NE through North Florida tracking across SE Georgia and Eastern South Carolina west of both Savannah and Charleston and then across SE North Carolina and entering the Atlantic along the North Caroline Outer Banks.
by J.B. Elliott
in Tropical Weather
North Half of Alabama Now Quiet--6:30 pm Report
June 12, 2006, 6:34 pm
At least for the most part.
There was one lingering thunderstorm at 6:30 pm east and NE of Anniston.
Otherwise everything is down south.
A line of scattered thunderstorms extended across South Central Alabama from Choctaw County on the west to Crenshaw and Pike County in the east.
Strongest storm was over Wilcox County where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was posted until 7 pm. The storm was located near Pine Hill...or about 14 miles west of Camden and moving south at 15.
We will try to post some rainfall amounts later this evening.
One interesting note. It was raining so hard in Shelby County this afternoon that the rain was coming down around 3:38 pm at a rate of 9.60 inches an hour in the Inverness area.
Of course they did not get 9.60 inches becayse it did not rain for an hour that hard. But they did receive 1.59 inches.
There was one lingering thunderstorm at 6:30 pm east and NE of Anniston.
Otherwise everything is down south.
A line of scattered thunderstorms extended across South Central Alabama from Choctaw County on the west to Crenshaw and Pike County in the east.
Strongest storm was over Wilcox County where a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was posted until 7 pm. The storm was located near Pine Hill...or about 14 miles west of Camden and moving south at 15.
We will try to post some rainfall amounts later this evening.
One interesting note. It was raining so hard in Shelby County this afternoon that the rain was coming down around 3:38 pm at a rate of 9.60 inches an hour in the Inverness area.
Of course they did not get 9.60 inches becayse it did not rain for an hour that hard. But they did receive 1.59 inches.
by J.B. Elliott
in Severe Weather
Catching Up With Tropical Storm Alberto
June 12, 2006, 4:59 pm
Late this afternoon Mr. Alberto was still a tropical storm and he was headed for the NE Gulf Coast.
POSITION REPORT
At 4:00 p.m., the center of Alberto was near latitude 27.9 N, longitude 85.1 W or about 125 miles south of Apalachicola. This is also about 145 miles SW of Cedar Key.
MOVEMENT
Alberto was moving NE at 10 and this general motion should continue for the next 24 hours reaching the Florida coast in the warning area early Tuesday. However, conditions are already deteriorating there.
WINDS
Highest sustained were near 70 mph. Little change in that for at least 6 to 8 hours. There are higher gusts. Alberto could still become a hurricane before landfall.
STORM SURGE AND RAINFALL
Coastal storm surge flooding of 8 to10 feet above normal tide levels over much of the warning area. Storm total rainfall amounts are 4 to 8 inches with some amounts as much as 10 inches from now through Tuesday across parts of Central and North Florida and SE Georgia, mainly along and to the right of the track. A few spin-off tornadoes are possible in parts of Central and North Florida through tonight.
HURRICANE WARNING
Hurricane Warning continues from Longboat Key to the Ochlockonee River. It means hurricane conditions within the next 24 hours.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING
...Still in effect south of Longboat Key to Englewood and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass. This means tropical storm conditions within the next 24 hours.
...At 4 o'clock this afternoon, the NHC also posted a Tropical Storm Warning on the Atlantic side from Flagler Beach near St. Augustine northward to the Savannah River, which is at the Georgia-South Carolina border.
FORECASAT TRACK
It has changed little since midday. It is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida as a hurricane (minimal) and continue NE through North Florida tracking across SE Georgia and Eastern South Carolina west of both Savannah and Charleston and then across SE North Carolina and entering the Atlantic along the North Caroline Outer Banks.
LATE AFTERNOON SPOT REPORTS
Destin...mostly sunny, SE 13
Apalachicola...light rain, E 10, gusts 20
Tallahassee...cloudy, E 15
Orlando...light rain, E 13
Melbourne...light rain, SE 12, gusts 28
Clearwater...light rain, SE 17, gusts 29
St. Petersburg...cloudy, SE 23
Cedar Key...SE 28, gusts 33
Punta Gorda...cloudy, S 16, gusts 29
Everglade City...SE 20, gusts 28
Miami...cloudy, SE 14
POSITION REPORT
At 4:00 p.m., the center of Alberto was near latitude 27.9 N, longitude 85.1 W or about 125 miles south of Apalachicola. This is also about 145 miles SW of Cedar Key.
MOVEMENT
Alberto was moving NE at 10 and this general motion should continue for the next 24 hours reaching the Florida coast in the warning area early Tuesday. However, conditions are already deteriorating there.
WINDS
Highest sustained were near 70 mph. Little change in that for at least 6 to 8 hours. There are higher gusts. Alberto could still become a hurricane before landfall.
STORM SURGE AND RAINFALL
Coastal storm surge flooding of 8 to10 feet above normal tide levels over much of the warning area. Storm total rainfall amounts are 4 to 8 inches with some amounts as much as 10 inches from now through Tuesday across parts of Central and North Florida and SE Georgia, mainly along and to the right of the track. A few spin-off tornadoes are possible in parts of Central and North Florida through tonight.
HURRICANE WARNING
Hurricane Warning continues from Longboat Key to the Ochlockonee River. It means hurricane conditions within the next 24 hours.
TROPICAL STORM WARNING
...Still in effect south of Longboat Key to Englewood and west of the Ochlockonee River to Indian Pass. This means tropical storm conditions within the next 24 hours.
...At 4 o'clock this afternoon, the NHC also posted a Tropical Storm Warning on the Atlantic side from Flagler Beach near St. Augustine northward to the Savannah River, which is at the Georgia-South Carolina border.
FORECASAT TRACK
It has changed little since midday. It is expected to make landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida as a hurricane (minimal) and continue NE through North Florida tracking across SE Georgia and Eastern South Carolina west of both Savannah and Charleston and then across SE North Carolina and entering the Atlantic along the North Caroline Outer Banks.
LATE AFTERNOON SPOT REPORTS
Destin...mostly sunny, SE 13
Apalachicola...light rain, E 10, gusts 20
Tallahassee...cloudy, E 15
Orlando...light rain, E 13
Melbourne...light rain, SE 12, gusts 28
Clearwater...light rain, SE 17, gusts 29
St. Petersburg...cloudy, SE 23
Cedar Key...SE 28, gusts 33
Punta Gorda...cloudy, S 16, gusts 29
Everglade City...SE 20, gusts 28
Miami...cloudy, SE 14
by J.B. Elliott
in Tropical Weather
Three House Fires From Lightning ? ? ?
June 12, 2006, 4:41 pm
From reports we have received, three house fires occurred this afternoon from lightning--all in Shelby County.
First two in the Helena area.
Last one at Dunnavent
* Nathan Jones, 3340 Weather Watcher for Helena reported 1.96 inches of rain.
* Inverness 1.10 inches
* Riverchase 1.19 inches
* 0.80 in NE Trussville at Little Miss Molly's house, almost entirely in 15 minutes
WHERE THE MAIN STORMS WERE AS OF 4:40 PM
East edge of Jefferson County near Leeds and across South St. Clair County toward pell City
NE and East Shelby County
Most of the storms have ended along I-65 in Shelby County
Moderate to strong storms west and SW of Tuscaloosa
Everything moving SE
First two in the Helena area.
Last one at Dunnavent
* Nathan Jones, 3340 Weather Watcher for Helena reported 1.96 inches of rain.
* Inverness 1.10 inches
* Riverchase 1.19 inches
* 0.80 in NE Trussville at Little Miss Molly's house, almost entirely in 15 minutes
WHERE THE MAIN STORMS WERE AS OF 4:40 PM
East edge of Jefferson County near Leeds and across South St. Clair County toward pell City
NE and East Shelby County
Most of the storms have ended along I-65 in Shelby County
Moderate to strong storms west and SW of Tuscaloosa
Everything moving SE
by J.B. Elliott
in Severe Weather
Very Severe Lightning and Rain By The Buckets
June 12, 2006, 4:05 pm
We are not intentionally ignoring Alberto...we will catch up on posts about him ASSAP.
Big thunderstorms continue to affect part of the Birmingham Metro.
Just before 4 pm, the most intense storms extended from Trussville in NE Jefferson down through East Jefferson into North Shelby. In Shelby County, the most intense storms are affecting a big chunk of U.S. 280.
Raining so hard that visibility is almost zero in places.
* Based on radar estimates, as much as 2.75 inches of rain may have fallen in the Helena area in one hour. Several reports of flooding.
* Two house firest reported from Helena due to severe lightning...the latest one in the Cox Cove area of helena.
* A blog reader, Cal, reported rain so heavy in Indian Springs at mid-afternoon that street lights came on and lightning was intense.
* Brian Peters reported that the lightning was some of the worst he has seen in a long, long time. (Helena) 1.96 inches of rain at his house with 5 or 6 power outages.
* 1.19 inches of rain at the 3340 studios at Riverchase...mostly ended.
* Sharp lightning and heavy rain now in NE Trussville
* Very heavy rain, sharp lightning earlier downtown near St. Vincent Hospital...also intense lightning.
Big thunderstorms continue to affect part of the Birmingham Metro.
Just before 4 pm, the most intense storms extended from Trussville in NE Jefferson down through East Jefferson into North Shelby. In Shelby County, the most intense storms are affecting a big chunk of U.S. 280.
Raining so hard that visibility is almost zero in places.
* Based on radar estimates, as much as 2.75 inches of rain may have fallen in the Helena area in one hour. Several reports of flooding.
* Two house firest reported from Helena due to severe lightning...the latest one in the Cox Cove area of helena.
* A blog reader, Cal, reported rain so heavy in Indian Springs at mid-afternoon that street lights came on and lightning was intense.
* Brian Peters reported that the lightning was some of the worst he has seen in a long, long time. (Helena) 1.96 inches of rain at his house with 5 or 6 power outages.
* 1.19 inches of rain at the 3340 studios at Riverchase...mostly ended.
* Sharp lightning and heavy rain now in NE Trussville
* Very heavy rain, sharp lightning earlier downtown near St. Vincent Hospital...also intense lightning.
by J.B. Elliott
in Severe Weather