Jason Simpson and I spent much of the day at the Hollis Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service in southern Cleburne County. Thanks to Mike McCormick, the Public Affairs Officer for the Fire Department, for inviting us to come to their Community Awareness Day. The event started off with a couple of passing showers, but by late morning the skies were clearing and people were coming out to the event.

The Cleburne County Emergency Management Agency had their fire and weather safety trailer there for everyone to see and experience fire safety information. The event also featured several candidates for offices in the upcoming November election who were given an opportunity to speak to the audience.

The speakers were followed by the auction of several scrumptous looking cakes and pies. I just missed out on the bidding on a caramel pie, but I'm sure my waistline did not need. One cake went for $80 in some very heated bidding. All proceeds went to the fire department.

Below are some pictures from the event as well as a couple of scenic shots taken along the way.

-Brian-

Jason Simpson with the Storm Chaser at Hollis Cross Roads, Cleburne County.

The crowd listens to several speakers at Hollis Cross Roads, Cleburne County.

Jason Simpson talking about the Storm Chaser at Hollis Cross Roads.

The Hollis Fire and Rescue Service.

The view taking some back roads returning to Birmingham from Hollis Cross Roads.

Just a sample of the beauty of East Alabama.

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

After a number of days of turbulent weather, good weather is once again returning to Central Alabama. My wife and I were very fortunate to have six glorious days on vacation at Miramar Beach in the Florida Panhandle, but that area is really drive. As Bill Murray noted, Mobile is 13 inches behind in rainfall for the year. Birmingham, on the other hand, is 7 inches above normal - what a difference a few hundred miles can make!

Looks like the rain will be ending in Central and East Alabama by noon or so. West Alabama is already getting some sunshine and I think we'll all see bright sunny skies this afternoon. A ridge at 500 millibars will keep us in good weather through the start of the work week.

Tuesday, a cold front will be approaching the state. Rain, if we get any, could come very late in the day. Wednesday looks like our best chance for rain as the front slowly settles across Alabama. The front is expected to wash out on Thursday across the extreme northern Gulf, so we'll end the week with good weather, too. Temperatures by the end of the week will fall back into the 70s with a northwesterly flow pattern aloft.

A vigorous upper level short wave depicted by the GFS could bring some interesting weather to Alabama next weekend. That's pretty far into the future to be very specific, so it will be something to watch with future model runs.

Jason Simpson and I are heading over to Hollis Crossroads this morning for an appearance there. If you are in the eastern part of the state, I hope you'll get a chance to drop by and say hello. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Be sure to spend some time with your family.

-Brian-