On this date in 1973, the Eldfell Volcano on the erupted along a 1.5 mile fissure along the length of the island of Heimaey, Iceland, creating a spectacular curtain of fire. As the volcano erupted, the island’s five thousand residents gathered to be rescued at the harbor of the town of Vestmannaeyjar.

Fortuitously, a storm with gale force winds had forced over seventy ships to seek shelter in the harbor, which is the most important fishing port in Iceland. The storm was timely, because the boats that were seeking safe haven provided a fortuitous fleet to rescue the town’s residents.

But even after the rescue, a major problem remained. The lava flow from the volcano threatened to completely close off the harbor. The brave efforts of a few volunteers prevented the lava flow from closing the entrance to the harbor, literally saving the island’s livelihood.

At first, bulldozers were used to build huge trenches in an attempt to divert the lava flow. When this did not work, someone came up with the brilliant idea to stop the lava in its tracks by pouring salt water onto the burning flow.

Over a period of one week, eight million cubic yards of water were sprayed on the lava, using nineteen miles of pipe and forty three pumps. Icelanders came up with a name for the heroic effort which translates to “peeing on the lava.” Twelve hundred homes were destroyed by the volcano, but amazingly, only one life was lost, and that was from toxic CO2 gas from the volcano.

Thunderstorms are intensifying tonight over Central and Eastern Mississippi. They are moving north rapidly northeastward at 40-50 mph and will push across Northwest Alabama starting in about one hour. They will affect parts of Lamar, Marion, Franklin, Colbert and Lauderdale Counties this evening with lightning and heavy rain, perhaps some small hail.

Additional heavy storms are over South Central Mississippi southeast of Jackson. These storms will be moving across Northwest Alabama later. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the northwest corner of Alabama, where three inches or more of rain may fall tonight.

The storms are forming along a snaky warm front that is curving across Central Mississippi and into North Alabama. Additional storms will form overnight tonight and push further east into Alabama as the night wears on.

This activity will continue until a surface low moves northeast out of Texas along the boundary, giving the front impetus to push through the area tomorrow.

While organized severe weather is not expected across North or Central Alabama, there will be widespread thunder later tonight. Rainfall amounts will be heavy, especially over northwestern sections of the state. The rest of Central Alabama may receive one to two inches of rain. There could also be some small hail.

The airmass over the state was quite warm and moist for January, with temperatures falling out of the lower 70s across much of Central Alabama at late afternoon. Dewpoints were around 60 degrees. Strong winds from the east over East Central Alabama had pushed some cooler, drier air back into the Anniston area, where temperatures had fallen from the lower 70s earlier this afternoon, back into the lower 60s. It was only 48F at Atlanta at 5 p.m. CST.

Rainfall should end from west to east on Monday and winds will shift around to the west and then the northwest, becoming brisk at times. Temperatures will remain steady or fall slowly during the day tomorrow, starting off in the upper 50s, and remaining there until afternoon.

Clearing and much colder weather is expected tomorrow night, with lows dropping well into the 30s in most locations. Some of the normally colder spots might see freezing or just below tomorrow night.

The Sunday map discussion video is on the server at:

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

Yesterday was a dreary but relatively mild day for much of Alabama. A cold front stalled across the central sections and was located this morning from just north of Macon to just north of Birmingham to near Jackson, MS. Muscel Shoals was 46 at 9 am while Tuscaloosa was 62. It looks like the front will meander northward today so we'll stay mild.

A low pressure area will form over southeast Texas today and move northeastward along the front crosssing Alabama tonight. This should be when our greatest chance for rain will come with perhaps some isolated heavy rainfall. QPF forecasts suggest that 1 to 2 inches of rain area likely. The front comes through late in the day Monday, so we should see clouds decrease on Tuesday with some slightly cooler and dryer air.

Wednesday and Thursday look to be dry as high pressure moves steadily eastward across the southeastern US. As the high gets to our east, moisture will begin returning once again across Texas and Louisiana as we head for yet another round of rain and showers late Friday and into the weekend. Always hate to see the rainy weather get into phase with the weekends.

In the much longer range, the GFS is still hinting at some higher amplitude patterns though none are what I would describe as extremely cold - yet! The NAO forecast shows signs of going negative so we'll be watching for a change to much colder temperatures after a relatively mild January.

Don't forget the Storm Alert 2006 tour starts in just about two weeks as we kick off the first one at Hamilton. Check the ABC 3340 web site for the complete schedule.

Stay dry as the work week starts.

-Brian-