Long time readers here know I like to write about my travels across the great state of Alabama. In fact, it is just about time to post my annual “Spann’s Best Way To The Bama Beaches” article as we approach summer.
Yesterday, it was on the road to northwest Alabama; I was the guest speaker at Harmony Grove Baptist Church in Winfield. It is interesting to note the church actually sits in Fayette county, while most of Winfield is across the line in Marion county. From Birmingham, it was up old U.S. Highway 78, which is gradually being replaced by “Corridor X”, which will become Interstate 22 when the highway is finished in a few years. I-22 will connect with I-65 north of Fultondale, and will make driving to places like Jasper, Winfield, and Hamilton a snap. For now, the new highway is open in a segment near Jasper, and from Winfield on into Mississippi. The highway winds up in Memphis, connecting with Interstate 55.
Even when I-22 opens, I won’t totally abandon old U.S. 78, just because I enjoy the highways less traveled. I enjoy roads like U.S. 11 (replaced by I-59), U.S. 31 (replaced by I-65), and U.S. 80 (replaced in east Alabama by I-85). Generally speaking, the best barbeque joints and the best scenery can be found on old U.S. and state highways. But, it sure is nice having the Interstate highway option when I am in a hurry. So, lets look forward to I-22 but not forget U.S. 78.
We had a great crowd and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Harmony Grove. That church has been around for well over 100 years, and is the oldest Baptist church in Winfield. After lunch it was back down the Corridor-X/U.S. 78 combination highway through Eldridge, Carbon Hill, Jasper, Dora, Graysville, and back to the office. Love those trips!
On The Road...
April 13, 2005, 8:41 pm
by James Spann
in On The Road
8:50 PM Update
April 13, 2005, 7:53 pm
Showers that developed this afternoon had greatly thinned out tonight.
However, at 8:50 pm, there was a line of showers that extended from NW Alabama southeastward across North Cullman County to near Gadsden, Jacksonville and Heflin.
The showers were moving steadily southward.
There was little or no lightning with these showers. The highest tops were only 16,000 feet over the Gadsden area.
It is so cold aloft that even some moderate buildups this afternoon produced some hail in parts of Etowah County.
James Spann's latest discussion will be posted here within the hour.
However, at 8:50 pm, there was a line of showers that extended from NW Alabama southeastward across North Cullman County to near Gadsden, Jacksonville and Heflin.
The showers were moving steadily southward.
There was little or no lightning with these showers. The highest tops were only 16,000 feet over the Gadsden area.
It is so cold aloft that even some moderate buildups this afternoon produced some hail in parts of Etowah County.
James Spann's latest discussion will be posted here within the hour.
Very Cold Upstairs
April 13, 2005, 3:19 pm
Hail, pea size to marble hail fell in the Attalla area this afternoon for 10 minutes or so. That cell weakened and moved SE.
The strongest cells are now south of Anniston and Heflin and moving steadily SE. THe very cold air aloft is responsible.
There is very little lightning involved.
The strongest cells are now south of Anniston and Heflin and moving steadily SE. THe very cold air aloft is responsible.
There is very little lightning involved.
A Little Rain; Some Lightning
April 13, 2005, 2:01 pm
The Wednesday afternoon video is on the server:
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
As expected, we have a random pattern of scattered showers on radar this afternoon in response to the cold air aloft over north Alabama. We have noticed some increase in the number of lightning strikes within the hour, but they are still rather isolated. Temperatures up at 500 mb (18,000 feet) are down to -22 degrees (C) this afternoon... making for a very unstable airmass.
I notice some cold air funnels were reported over Tennessee earlier today:
WITH A LINE OF STRONG SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS EASTERN RUTHERFORD COUNTY, SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE SIGHTED FUNNEL CLOUDS. THE MOST RECENT REPORT WAS MADE AT 1110 AM NEAR EXIT 88 ON INTERSTATE 24. THESE CELLS ARE MOVING TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST AROUND 5 MILES AN HOUR. WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE AREA RUNNING IN THE UPPER 50S, IT IS LIKELY THAT THESE SIGHTINGS ARE WHAT WE CALL COLD AIR FUNNELS, WHICH SOMETIMES OCCUR IN COOL AND MARGINALLY UNSTABLE AIR MASSES IN THE SPRING AND FALL. GIVEN THE NATURE OF COLD AIR FUNNELS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE FUNNELS WILL REACH THE GROUND OR PRODUCE ANY TYPE OF DAMAGE.
I also expect some reports of small hail over north Alabama over the next two hours.
The clouds should move east of the state during the day tomorrow, and we are still looking for an extended period of dry weather beginning tomorrow, lasting through the weekend and into next week.
The 12Z GFS is suggesting our next rain event will come one week from tomorrow, Thursday April 21, as a cold front passes through.
The latter half of April still looks relatively dry, with the storm track generally running up north, not far from the Canadian border.
Had a great time up in Winfield today with our friends at Harmony Grove Baptist Church... what a great turnout!
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
As expected, we have a random pattern of scattered showers on radar this afternoon in response to the cold air aloft over north Alabama. We have noticed some increase in the number of lightning strikes within the hour, but they are still rather isolated. Temperatures up at 500 mb (18,000 feet) are down to -22 degrees (C) this afternoon... making for a very unstable airmass.
I notice some cold air funnels were reported over Tennessee earlier today:
WITH A LINE OF STRONG SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS EASTERN RUTHERFORD COUNTY, SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE SIGHTED FUNNEL CLOUDS. THE MOST RECENT REPORT WAS MADE AT 1110 AM NEAR EXIT 88 ON INTERSTATE 24. THESE CELLS ARE MOVING TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST AROUND 5 MILES AN HOUR. WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE AREA RUNNING IN THE UPPER 50S, IT IS LIKELY THAT THESE SIGHTINGS ARE WHAT WE CALL COLD AIR FUNNELS, WHICH SOMETIMES OCCUR IN COOL AND MARGINALLY UNSTABLE AIR MASSES IN THE SPRING AND FALL. GIVEN THE NATURE OF COLD AIR FUNNELS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE FUNNELS WILL REACH THE GROUND OR PRODUCE ANY TYPE OF DAMAGE.
I also expect some reports of small hail over north Alabama over the next two hours.
The clouds should move east of the state during the day tomorrow, and we are still looking for an extended period of dry weather beginning tomorrow, lasting through the weekend and into next week.
The 12Z GFS is suggesting our next rain event will come one week from tomorrow, Thursday April 21, as a cold front passes through.
The latter half of April still looks relatively dry, with the storm track generally running up north, not far from the Canadian border.
Had a great time up in Winfield today with our friends at Harmony Grove Baptist Church... what a great turnout!
Just A Few Showers
April 13, 2005, 4:45 am
The Wednesday morning web video update is on the server:
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
An upper air low will pass over north Alabama today, with temperatures at 500 mb down to -20 degrees (C)... this cold air aloft will mean an unstable atmosphere, and scattered showers should form during the day today. Rainfall should be fairly light, with most spots getting a quarter inch or less. The upper low also means some dynamic cooling, and temperatures probably won't get out of the 60s today.
Clouds linger tonight, and a slow clearing process should begin by midday tomorrow.
Once again, we expect a rather prolonged period of dry weather ahead for Alabama after today. At least for April. The 00Z run of the GFS suggests the next significant rain event will come around April 21 (a week from tomorrow) thanks to a cold front trailing a storm system over the midwest. You don't see seven days in a row with no rain around here that often this time of the year.
Will be on the road today headed up to Marion county to see the folks at Harmony Grove Baptist Church. Will try to have the afternoon update here on time later this afternoon once I get back to the office.
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
An upper air low will pass over north Alabama today, with temperatures at 500 mb down to -20 degrees (C)... this cold air aloft will mean an unstable atmosphere, and scattered showers should form during the day today. Rainfall should be fairly light, with most spots getting a quarter inch or less. The upper low also means some dynamic cooling, and temperatures probably won't get out of the 60s today.
Clouds linger tonight, and a slow clearing process should begin by midday tomorrow.
Once again, we expect a rather prolonged period of dry weather ahead for Alabama after today. At least for April. The 00Z run of the GFS suggests the next significant rain event will come around April 21 (a week from tomorrow) thanks to a cold front trailing a storm system over the midwest. You don't see seven days in a row with no rain around here that often this time of the year.
Will be on the road today headed up to Marion county to see the folks at Harmony Grove Baptist Church. Will try to have the afternoon update here on time later this afternoon once I get back to the office.
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