Lets look ahead to the wet weather system expected to affect Alabama during the first half of next week. The last thing we need is more rain around here since some places have seen over 10 inches this month. In fact, a few communities saw about 8 inches during a four day period this week from Sunday through Wednesday. The ground is soaked, rivers, creeks, and streams are full, and in come cases, still out of their banks.

Unfortunately we will have some rain to deal with tomorrow. Nothing heavy, but it will keep the ground good and soggy. Then, rain will increase again on Monday as a warm front develops to the south of us and a broad southwest flow aloft sets up again. Periods of rain are likely on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a few thunderstorms along the way as well. As we get into the warm sector of the storm to the west of us, we might have to deal with more strong storms by Tuesday night and Wednesday. There is some eerie similarity to the system that brought us so much severe weather this week, but we are not comfortable being very specific about a severe weather threat this far in advance. Even with no severe weather, this might produce some heavy rain at times, and more flooding could be an issue. Both flash flooding and river flooding. So, we will be on our toes and get plenty of sleep this weekend in case we have to burn the midnight oil again.

Looking at weather statistics; Birmingham’s rain total for November is now just under ten inches, 9.80”. For total for the year is 56.36”, which is 7.47” above normal. The rainfall distribution this year has not been very even, with lots of it coming during Hurricane Ivan in September, and during the frequent storm systems during November.

Just wanted to post this warning here for more exposure... lots of high water on Lake Logan Martin:

WGUS44 KBMX 251303 CCA
FLWBMX
ALC021-037-051-115-117-121-260000-


BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM, AL
655 AM CST THU NOV 25 2004


...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WARNING FOR THE...COOSA RIVER...AT LOGAN MARTIN DAM...

COOSA RIVER NEAR LOGAN MARTIN DAM...
-- FLOODING IS FORECAST.

LATEST STAGE: 467.9 FEET AT 04 AM THURSDAY.
BANKFULL STAGE: 465.0 FEET.
FLOOD STAGE: 465.0 FEET.
FORECAST: CREST NEAR 471 FEET FRIDAY MORNING...

THE RIVER AT LOGAN MARTIN DAM IS EXPECTED TO FALL
BELOW FLOOD STAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

WHEN THE RIVER REACHES 467.0 FEET, FLOODING OF SOME BOATHOUSES AND DOCKS AROUND THE LAKE OCCURS.

HEAVY RAINFALL OF HAS OCCURRED OVER THE COOSA RIVER BASIN...A FLOOD WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE COOSA RIVER AT LOGAN MARTIN DAM...

ALL PERSONS WITH INTERESTS ALONG THE RIVER SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS...AND TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM RISING RIVER LEVELS.

ANOTHER STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THIS EVENING...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS WARRANT.