I have driven across the Texas Panhandle numerous times, both east to west and north to south. It is an interesting region and has a beauty all its own. It is a very friendly region. Ranchers will wave at you from their tractor as you drive by. I love that part of the country, so I have been saddened lately to read of the tragic wildfires that have swept across the Panhandle within the last week and earlier fires across North-Central Texas and Oklahoma.

Since last weekend, four large fires killed 11 people and blackened 850,000 acres in the Panhandle alone. Nearly 4 million acres have burned across Texas this winter. A few days ago, one rancher who owned 11 thousand acres saw nearly every blade of grass on the entire ranch burn. 200 head of cattle were burned to death. He and his son almost lost their lives trying to escape because the wildfire was advancing NE at 40 mph. Utility poles were burned through at the base and were dangling from overhead wires. A large number of other cattle were seriously burned and had to be euthanised. There is a good chance of some showers and thunderstorms by Sunday night in the Panhandle. Further south numerous showers and thunderstorms will affect the Dallas-Ft. Worth area today through Sunday night dumping several inches of rain. That is a great blessing, but the overall drought has not ended.

Recent rain and snow in Arizona is only a temporary relief. The outlook for April, May and June is for more dry weather in the Southwest, Central and Southern Plains. I hate to think what the fire season will be through the summer. I am afraid it will be tragic.

-J.B. Elliott

I was live on ABC 33/40 News at 5:00 and 6:00 this evening from the annual Winston County Chitlin Dinner in Arley, sponsored by the Winston County Chitlin Eating Association. This event was at Meek High School, and is a fundraiser for the Meek band program. About 1,500 people were there... politicians could speak five minutes for fifty dollars. All of the major gubernatorial candidates were there along with many others running for local office.

Here are some photos from the trip:


Nice shot of downtown Birmingham from AirLink 33/40


You can see historic Rickwood Field, Legion Field, and downtown Birmingham in this shot.


The dam at the southern end of Smith Lake.


Would YOU eat one of these? This is right after the batter was applied to the pig intestines.


Chitlins cooking in the deep fryer. An interesting aroma...


Chief photographer Bill Castle is overwhelmed by that aroma. Helicopter pilot Donnie Click enjoys the moment.

SPRING BREAK WEATHER: Here is a spot check of weather at a few seemingly popular locations for Spring Break next week:

ORLANDO
The high should be around 82 tomorrow through Tuesday, then cooling to highs 75-78 Wednesday and Thursday. Dry weather most of the time, except a slight chance of showers on Tuesday.

GATLINBURG
Dry tomorrow and Sunday. Showers starting Sunday night becoming numerous Monday. Scattered showers on Tuesday, but fair and dry weather Wednesday and Thursday. For the next 5 days, highs will be rather consistently in the 40s in the mountains and 50s in places like Gatlinburg, Cades Cove and Pigeon Forge.

GULF SHORES
A high near 68 tomorrow with most of the day dry. A good chance of rain by Sunday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue on Monday. Mostly sunny and cooler Tuesday and Wednesday. Highs around 78 Monday but cooling to the 60s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Very little rain after Monday. This forecast is also good for the beach area of NW Florida.

WASHINGTON
The nation’s capitol should have mostly sunshine Sunday and Monday with lows 28-30 and highs near 50. A chance of rain on Tuesday with a high of 42. A chance of snow Tuesday night. Fair, dry weather Wednesday and Thursday with highs both day near 50.

The Friday afternoon map discussion video is on the server:

http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb

Anyone remember the song by Wet Willie from 1979?

"One Friday evenin'
What a feelin', feel like singin'
Tired of workin', my mind is buzzin'
Feel like dancin' yes I do

But you gotta make the best of life while you're young
Good people, weekend
Do just what you wanna do, weekend
When those workin' days are through
Weekend, weekend, weekend"

Welcome to the weekend. I just found out I will be flying up to Winston County in a few minutes in our helicopter for a live weather broadcast from the annual supper held by the Meek High School band and the Winston County Chitlin' Eaters Association in Arley. I am not sure what to expect; somehow this thing sounds more like a John Oldshue event. But, tune in at 5:00 and 6:00 to see whats up.

GOOD SOAKING AHEAD: Rain amounts between 2 and 4 inches are possibly, and really likely, over much of North and Central Alabama from tomrrow night through Monday night. Some rain should slip in here tomorrow night, then becoming widespead on Sunday. Looks like we might hold in the 40s much of the day Sunday with a steady rain falling. Good day toi stay inside after church and watch March Madness, or take a long nap.

We should break into the warm sector of the storm Monday, with showers and storms likely. Some strong to severe storms will be possible, although the quality of the warm sector is very much in doubt.

The middle of next week looks dry and cool, but more rain is likely by the end of the week. Yeah, I know, the 12Z GFS lost the end of the week system, but I think it is wrong.

Keep eye on the blog for updates this weekend... I have to board the chopper for the flight to Arley.

Enjoyed seeing the 2nd graders at Deer Valley today... watch for them on the KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News.

Have a great weekend!

The Friday morning map discussion video is on the server:

http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb

Some low clouds around this morning; those should give way to a mostly sunny sky today. Temperatures will be cooler with highs in the 60 to 65 degree range.

THE WEEKEND: Clouds increase tomorrow, but I still think most of the day will be dry. Rain begins tomorrow night, and that will be the beginning of a very wet period for Alabama. A cool rain is likely most of the day Sunday; in fact now both the NAM and the GFS are suggesting we hold in the 45 to 49 degree range through the day. That will be a miserable, wet, and chilly day.

MONDAY: The possibility of severe weather is very much up for debate. Rain and storms are likely, and the rain could be heavy at times. The latest QPF suggests rain amounts here between 2 and 4 inches between Saturday night and Monday night. Some flooding issues could develop.

The 06Z run of the GFS does try to get us in the warm sector of the storm, with the main surface low tracking from near Tulsa to Louisville. But, the quality of the warm sector is questionable. Can we get mid 60 dewpoints in here? Wind fields do seem adequete for a few severe storms. We will review the situation closely over the weekend, check in here for updates.

Another shot of cooler air arrives Tuesday with highs in the 50s. Clouds could linger much of the day. Then, our weather should be dry and cool on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

Another wet weather system will arrive at the end of next week (around one week from today). Not much confidence in the details of that system, however. Lets get the Sunday-Monday storm system out of here and we can focus on that one.

TODAY: I will be speaking today to the 2nd graders at Deer Valley Elementary in Hoover; I will be in the office by early afternoon and the afternoon map discussion video will be up by 3:30. Will be interesting to see the 12Z run of the GFS for some clarity on the Monday severe weather potential...