The Tuesday afternoon map discussion video is on the web, and available on iTunes:
http://www.jamesspann.com/
I am sitting here looking at our SKYCAM images from Mt. Cheaha... the temperature up on the big mountain is only 70 degrees right now with a dewpoint of 54 and bright sunshine through scattered clouds. I will be up there on Saturday for the annual Cheaha Arts and Crafts Festival and Chili Cook-Off; I will be one of the Chili Cook-Off judges. Ah, a tough life...
THE ALABAMA STORY: A pretty benign weather pattern will continue through the weekend with temperatures below normal, on an average basis. We will continue to mention a chance of a brief passing shower or storm on Thursday with a cold front and upper trough passing through, but with very limited moisture and instability rain should be light and spotty despite very impressive upward motion with the trough.
SPC has the area from Little Rock to Indianapolis under a slight risk of severe weather for tomorrow, but even that is marginal due to the lack of good low level moist air.
A fresh supply of cool and dry air will roll in here on Friday; we will struggle to reach the low 70s despite a sunny sky. Look for 40s early Friday and Saturday morning. Great weather for high school and college football games.
SHOWERS SUNDAY? The GFS has really backed off on any significant chance of rain with the front on Sunday; we will hold on to a small chance, but the lack of moisture should keep many areas dry.
NEXT WEEK: An upper air ridge builds across the Deep South, which will give us a fairly warm week to begin the month of October; look for highs in the 80s for much of next week; some West Alabama communities might even touch the 90 degree mark. A little "Indian Summer" weather. The week looks generally dry under the warm upper ridge.
TROPICS: A disturbance in the Atlantic, about 800 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands, still has some potential to become a tropical depression during the next day or so, but this system will recurve into the open Atlantic and is no threat to the U.S. mainland.
I will do my best to post some of our long form tornado coverage from this past Friday night... including the time leading up to the Oneonta tornado. We have a ton of things going on this week, but I will try to slip over to the video vault this evening and get it rendered tonight. We have a one hour prime time special coming up in about one month, and our Storm Alert XTREME severe weather training event is getting close too; we will be posting details on that later this week.
The next map discussion video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow!
A Lovely Day
September 26, 2006, 2:45 pmWEATHER BY THE NUMBERS--9/26/06 Edition
September 26, 2006, 11:59 am
* 51,720 square miles is the land area of Alabama. We rank 29th in the 50 states
* 0 is how many times I have been to New Market, NE of Huntsville, even though I was born in this state and never lived anywhere else
* 27 below zero was the temperature there on the morning of January 30, 1966. That is the lowest official temperature on record in Alabama
* 139 degrees is how much higher the temperature was in Centreville on September 5, 1925 as the all-time high for the state of Alabama (112 degrees) was recorded
* 231 mph was a wind-gust atop Mt. Washington, New Hampshire on April 12, 1934. It is the world record
* 47 below zero is the lowest temperature on record on Mt. Washington in January, 1934
* 72 is their all-time high in June 2003. Can you imagine living where it has never been above 72 degrees. Margie Richardson, our 33/40 Skywatcher for Rainbow City would make hot chocolate by the gallons
* 566 inches of snow is the most ever for one season on Mount Washington
* 1994 is the year that doppler radar was installed at the Birmingham NWS Office at Shelby County Airport
* 9/14/1895 was when the first Weather Bureau Agency was established in Birmingham. Ben Jacobs was the observer and the weather office was in his furniture store
* 1882 however, was the first year that official weather records started in Birmingham, various co-op weather observers
* 366 inches is how much rain fell in only one month at Cherrapunji, India
*1,042 inches fell there in one year, most ever world-wide. Most of it in only six months. That is about 20 times the normal annual rainfall for Birmingham
* 10 is how many times the temperature was 100 or higher in Cullman in July, 1952, during a severe Alabama heat wave and drought. It was 110 degrees in Cullman on July 30. Many wells went dry in Alabama that had never been dry before
* 3 is how many cups of coffee I have had today--a near record low. I have no idea why I have decreased my coffee drinking. It is a mystery
* 1 dozen is how many highly illegal, sinful frosted-brown-sugar-cinnamon poptarts bought today. Throwing a big party to honor the arrival of autumn--even though we are 26 days late. Do you get the idea that I live a very simple (but greatly enjoyable) life?
* 2/17/26 is the date of the most deadly avalanche in Utah. It occurred in Bingham Canyon and killed 36 people
* 1816 is a famous year for weather in much of the world. It has always been known as the year without a summer. Very few people had settled west of the Mississippi River at that time so must of the weather data was in the Eastern USA.
* 4 nights in a row in June had a severe frost from Canada down into Virginia. The history of Madison County, N.Y., tells a story of frosts in all 12 months that year.
* 1815 is the year that powerful volcano, Tamboro, erupted on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia on April 15. Volcanic dust circulating around the globe is credited with the cause
* 66 times is how many times Little Miss Molly stopped, reversed, or left the half-mile walking track this morning to inspect things. (I actually counted them) Sometimes just a lone leaf in the grass. If our tracks could be mapped, it would look like a big jig-saw puzzle. I felt like a yo-yo when we got home.
* 5 is the estimated number of TYPOS in this post, but I don't have time to change them
* 0 is how many times I have been to New Market, NE of Huntsville, even though I was born in this state and never lived anywhere else
* 27 below zero was the temperature there on the morning of January 30, 1966. That is the lowest official temperature on record in Alabama
* 139 degrees is how much higher the temperature was in Centreville on September 5, 1925 as the all-time high for the state of Alabama (112 degrees) was recorded
* 231 mph was a wind-gust atop Mt. Washington, New Hampshire on April 12, 1934. It is the world record
* 47 below zero is the lowest temperature on record on Mt. Washington in January, 1934
* 72 is their all-time high in June 2003. Can you imagine living where it has never been above 72 degrees. Margie Richardson, our 33/40 Skywatcher for Rainbow City would make hot chocolate by the gallons
* 566 inches of snow is the most ever for one season on Mount Washington
* 1994 is the year that doppler radar was installed at the Birmingham NWS Office at Shelby County Airport
* 9/14/1895 was when the first Weather Bureau Agency was established in Birmingham. Ben Jacobs was the observer and the weather office was in his furniture store
* 1882 however, was the first year that official weather records started in Birmingham, various co-op weather observers
* 366 inches is how much rain fell in only one month at Cherrapunji, India
*1,042 inches fell there in one year, most ever world-wide. Most of it in only six months. That is about 20 times the normal annual rainfall for Birmingham
* 10 is how many times the temperature was 100 or higher in Cullman in July, 1952, during a severe Alabama heat wave and drought. It was 110 degrees in Cullman on July 30. Many wells went dry in Alabama that had never been dry before
* 3 is how many cups of coffee I have had today--a near record low. I have no idea why I have decreased my coffee drinking. It is a mystery
* 1 dozen is how many highly illegal, sinful frosted-brown-sugar-cinnamon poptarts bought today. Throwing a big party to honor the arrival of autumn--even though we are 26 days late. Do you get the idea that I live a very simple (but greatly enjoyable) life?
* 2/17/26 is the date of the most deadly avalanche in Utah. It occurred in Bingham Canyon and killed 36 people
* 1816 is a famous year for weather in much of the world. It has always been known as the year without a summer. Very few people had settled west of the Mississippi River at that time so must of the weather data was in the Eastern USA.
* 4 nights in a row in June had a severe frost from Canada down into Virginia. The history of Madison County, N.Y., tells a story of frosts in all 12 months that year.
* 1815 is the year that powerful volcano, Tamboro, erupted on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia on April 15. Volcanic dust circulating around the globe is credited with the cause
* 66 times is how many times Little Miss Molly stopped, reversed, or left the half-mile walking track this morning to inspect things. (I actually counted them) Sometimes just a lone leaf in the grass. If our tracks could be mapped, it would look like a big jig-saw puzzle. I felt like a yo-yo when we got home.
* 5 is the estimated number of TYPOS in this post, but I don't have time to change them
Made For Walking Low Temperatures in Alabama
September 26, 2006, 11:10 am
Trust me, it was a delightful morning for walking. I was out very early with my boss (a certain little 9-pound animal) Here are some lows:
45 in Hamilton and Black Creek
46 in Crossville, Russellville, Valley Head, Desoto State Park
47 at Collinsville, Russell Cave National Mounment, Rainbow City (where the observer loves hot chocolate)
48 at Heflin, Pinson, Cullman Airport, Pinson
49 at Vinemont, Muscle Shoals, Ashville, Hartselle
50 at Centreville, Decatur, Huntsville, Gaylesville, Anniston, Alabaster (Navjo Pines)
51 at Livingston, Grove Oak, Scottsboro Airport
52 at Albertville, Meridianville, Hazel Green, Alabaster (Highlands)
53 at Wadley, Birmingham
54 at Athens, Fyffe, Montgomery
58 in Mobile
REGIONAL
34 atop Mt. Leconte, Great Smoky Mountains
42 on Newfound Gap
NATIONAL
17 at Doyleville, Colo. (elevation 8227 feet)
20 at Eagle, Colo.
23 at Alamosa and Gunnison, Colo.
20 at Eagle, Alaska
45 in Hamilton and Black Creek
46 in Crossville, Russellville, Valley Head, Desoto State Park
47 at Collinsville, Russell Cave National Mounment, Rainbow City (where the observer loves hot chocolate)
48 at Heflin, Pinson, Cullman Airport, Pinson
49 at Vinemont, Muscle Shoals, Ashville, Hartselle
50 at Centreville, Decatur, Huntsville, Gaylesville, Anniston, Alabaster (Navjo Pines)
51 at Livingston, Grove Oak, Scottsboro Airport
52 at Albertville, Meridianville, Hazel Green, Alabaster (Highlands)
53 at Wadley, Birmingham
54 at Athens, Fyffe, Montgomery
58 in Mobile
REGIONAL
34 atop Mt. Leconte, Great Smoky Mountains
42 on Newfound Gap
NATIONAL
17 at Doyleville, Colo. (elevation 8227 feet)
20 at Eagle, Colo.
23 at Alamosa and Gunnison, Colo.
20 at Eagle, Alaska
WeatherBrains Episode 35
September 26, 2006, 6:28 am
Weather Brains episode 35 is now on the web, and available on iTunes:
http://www.weatherbrains.com
In this week's episode:
- Looking back at ABC 33/40's coverage of Central Alabama's September 22, 2006 severe weather outbreak: What went well...and what didn't;
http://www.weatherbrains.com
In this week's episode:
- Looking back at ABC 33/40's coverage of Central Alabama's September 22, 2006 severe weather outbreak: What went well...and what didn't;
- The growing role Alabama residents are taking in severe weather coverage because of advancing technology;
- How ABC 33/40's SkyCam Network helped during a Shelby county Tornado Warning;
- The importance of having a network of Skywatchers monitoring for
dangerous weather;
- Why so many Alabama residents rely on ABC 33/40 for severe weather coverage;
- A weather radio in every public school: Uncle Sam's $5 million
dollar project;
- Richard Branson's $3 billion pledge to combat global warming: Planetary lifesaver,
or a waste of money?
Join James Spann, J.B. Elliott, Brian Peters and David Black...
To subscribe, go to the iTunes Music Store, and choose "Podcasts". In the search box, enter "Weather Brains". On the next page, on the "Weather Brains" line click on subscribe.
If you use another podcast receiving program, enter this feed address:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/weatherbrains
by James Spann
in Podcast
Terrific Tuesday
September 26, 2006, 6:03 am
The Tuesday morning map discussion is on the web, and also available on iTunes:
http://www.jamesspann.com/
A quick peek at observations early this morning (I am talking 5:00 here
shows numbers like 46 at Crossville, 48 at Cullman, 50 in Anniston, and 54 at the Birmingham Airport. Very nice indeed... and we expect another beautiful day with ample sunshine and temperatures peaking around 80 degrees this afternoon. Tomorrow will be dry and pleasant as well.
RAIN THURSDAY? A very dynamic upper air system will sweep across Alabama on Thursday along with the associated surface cold front, but the moisture is very limited. Still, because of the impressive upward motion we will have to mention at least a chance of a passing shower or thunderstorm during the day. The 00Z GFS hints the best chance of that will come from about 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.
MORE COOL AIR: A fresh supply of cool air rolls in here Thursday night, should set up more fine fall weather on Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 70s and lows mostly in the 40s. The weather for high school and college football games should be excellent this weekend.
SUNDAY: Another fast moving surface front blows in here on Sunday with a chance of showers, but like the front Thursday the moisture will be somewhat limited, so rainfall amounts should remain on the light side. And, it certainly won't rain fall day.
NEXT WEEK: Looks like a period of warmer weather for Alabama for much of next week as an upper air ridge builds across the Deep South. Highs get up into the 80s with lows in the 60s, and the first half of the week should be dry.
TROPICS: A disturbance about 900 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands seems to be getting better organized this morning, but if something develops out there it will recurve into the open Atlantic and should not pose any threat to the U.S. mainland. Another wave is in the eastern Atlantic with no sign of organization.
CHECK IT OUT: For late breaking weather related news, don't forget to check out our sister site:
http://www.weatherparty.com/
There is always something interesting to read over there, and if you register you can sumbit stories and vote on them as well to determine what is published to the front page.
STORM ALERT XTREME: Lots of questions about our annual severe weather training session... we hope to announce details later this week, but it looks like we will do it on the first Saturday in November (November 4) at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham, in association with the Birmingham International Auto Show. This is your chance to be trained by our own Brian Peters... you will learn how to spot small scale thunderstorm features that will help us in a big way next time severe weather threatens. We are asking all of our Skywatchers to join us, and you can also learn more about the Skywatcher program there.
I will have the next map discussion video posted by 3:30 this afternoon,... enjoy the day!
http://www.jamesspann.com/
A quick peek at observations early this morning (I am talking 5:00 here
shows numbers like 46 at Crossville, 48 at Cullman, 50 in Anniston, and 54 at the Birmingham Airport. Very nice indeed... and we expect another beautiful day with ample sunshine and temperatures peaking around 80 degrees this afternoon. Tomorrow will be dry and pleasant as well.RAIN THURSDAY? A very dynamic upper air system will sweep across Alabama on Thursday along with the associated surface cold front, but the moisture is very limited. Still, because of the impressive upward motion we will have to mention at least a chance of a passing shower or thunderstorm during the day. The 00Z GFS hints the best chance of that will come from about 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.
MORE COOL AIR: A fresh supply of cool air rolls in here Thursday night, should set up more fine fall weather on Friday and Saturday, with highs in the 70s and lows mostly in the 40s. The weather for high school and college football games should be excellent this weekend.
SUNDAY: Another fast moving surface front blows in here on Sunday with a chance of showers, but like the front Thursday the moisture will be somewhat limited, so rainfall amounts should remain on the light side. And, it certainly won't rain fall day.
NEXT WEEK: Looks like a period of warmer weather for Alabama for much of next week as an upper air ridge builds across the Deep South. Highs get up into the 80s with lows in the 60s, and the first half of the week should be dry.
TROPICS: A disturbance about 900 miles northeast of the Leeward Islands seems to be getting better organized this morning, but if something develops out there it will recurve into the open Atlantic and should not pose any threat to the U.S. mainland. Another wave is in the eastern Atlantic with no sign of organization.
CHECK IT OUT: For late breaking weather related news, don't forget to check out our sister site:
http://www.weatherparty.com/
There is always something interesting to read over there, and if you register you can sumbit stories and vote on them as well to determine what is published to the front page.
STORM ALERT XTREME: Lots of questions about our annual severe weather training session... we hope to announce details later this week, but it looks like we will do it on the first Saturday in November (November 4) at the BJCC in downtown Birmingham, in association with the Birmingham International Auto Show. This is your chance to be trained by our own Brian Peters... you will learn how to spot small scale thunderstorm features that will help us in a big way next time severe weather threatens. We are asking all of our Skywatchers to join us, and you can also learn more about the Skywatcher program there.
I will have the next map discussion video posted by 3:30 this afternoon,... enjoy the day!
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