It has been a treat, as always, for our weather team to bring the annual Storm Alert tour to communities across this part of Alabama. Tonight, we wrap up the 9th Storm Alert tour at the Northport Civic Center. We were the first station in the state, and one of the first in the nation to do an annual “weather tour”, in an effort to get Alabama families ready for the spring tornado season.

This year, we have seen thousands of Alabamians. At our first stop in Hamilton, over 1,000 people crowded into the Bevill State Auditorium. We also had over 1,000 people at the show last week in Gadsden. At the Ritz Theatre in Talladega, we ran out of seats 90 minutes before show time! Trust me, we clearly understand the attraction is the subject matter, not the “weather guys”. But, we sure enjoy getting to meet so many people prior to each show. This year’s stories include the saga of Jack Latham, who lost both parents and five brothers and sisters in the March 21, 1932 Alabama tornado outbreak that is the state’s deadliest on record. Mr. Latham was only four at the time, but he has a clear memory of the event and his story is riveting. We also have segments on “global warming” and possible impact on Alabama, the wild hurricane season of 2005 and thoughts on what is to come this year, and some cool new weather technology that is about to hit the air on ABC 33/40, provided by an Alabama company.

We suggest you get down to the Northport Civic Center tonight by 6:00 or so to get a seat; the Trussville Fire Department will have their tornado simulation trailer on site so the kids will have something fun to do if you do come early. We have some great prizes to give away, and the first 500 people get a free t-shirt. If you can’t make the show tonight, we will have a prime time special featuring the video segments in March… we will announce the date and time soon!

The Monday afternoon map discussion video is on the server:

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

As expected, a very nice warm-up is in progress today after the sub-freezing start this morning. Birmingham reports 58 degrees at 1:00, and it sure looks like we are headed for 60 degrees before the day is done.

And, the warming trend continues through mid-week. We should be close to 70 tomorrow, and in the low 70s by Wednesday afternoon. A few high clouds will pass by from time to time, but a good bit of sunshine will get through. We no significant chance of rain through Wednesday.

A weak front will sag through here late Thursday and Friday, but with little upper support the chance of significant rain looks rather small. A few showers could form around the front, but rain amounts should be light and spotty. Temperatures will drop only slightly; I still think we see low 70s on Thursday, but highs on Friday will be in the mid to upper 60s. Still very comfortable.

WEEKEND PEEK: Looks like another "half and half" weekend. Saturday should be dry and mild with temperatures well up in the 60s, but we will have to introduce a chance of rain and thunderstorms on Sunday with an upper impulse rolling through the flow. Looks like the best chance of rain Sunday will be along and north of I-20. South Alabama could very well remain dry.

COLD SHOT: The GFS continues to advertise a shot of cold air moving into the eaastern part of the nation in about 7 to 8 days. The 12Z run is not as cold as the 00Z run from last night for Alabama; the coldest air is shunted east of the state.

LONG RANGE: The 12Z run shows a screaming severe weather setup for Alabama at 384 hours (around March 15), but that is out there in voodoo land. Certainly possible, however. This is the time of the year. Still looks like very typical March weather ahead, with changeable temperatures along with occasional wet and stormy periods.

Sure enjoyed speaking to the second graders today at Rocky Ridge Elementary... they will on the KIDCAM on ABC 33/40 News today at 5:00!

STORM ALERT 2006: Yep, the last chance to see Storm Alert 2006 is tomorrow night at the Northport Civic Center. We begin at 7:00, but come early for a good seat!

SOUTHEAST SEVERE STORMS SYMPOSIUM: Don't forget the annual Southeast Severe Storms Symposium is this Friday and Saturday (March 3/4) at Mississippi State University. Learn more here:

http://www.msstate.edu/org/nwa/symposium.shtml

The next video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow...

LOW TEMPERATURES THIS MONDAY MORNING

19 (18.6) at Black Creek with heavy frost (NE Etowah County)
20 in Fort Payne (private weather station)
21 at Fort Payne Airport, Gadsden, Florence
22 at Pinson, Crossville, DeSoto State Park, Munford (heavy frost Munford)
23 at Cullman, Meridianville, Leeds, Guntersville, Jasper
24 at Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Harvest, Albertville, Parrish
25 in Moulton, Muscle Shoals, Alabaster (heavy frost also at Alabaster)
26 in Anniston, Hartselle, Millers Ferry, Northport, Vinemont
27 at Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa*
28 at Shelby County Airport, Section, Vestavia, Reform, Hueytown/Concord
29 at Mentone, Tuskegee, Lillian, and atop Mt. Cheaha
30 in Selma
31 in Bluff Park, Clay (higher elevations stations Birmingham area)
32 in Mobile and Grand Bay
34 in Hoover
31 in Gulf Shores, Bon Secour

* Tuscaloosa temperature based on hourly reports

The Monday morning map discussion video is on the server:

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

While the "official" arrival of spring, the vernal equinox, won't happen until 12:26 pm CST March 20, "meteorological" spring arrives Wednesday, and the weather here in Alabama will warm up right on cue.

We begin this day with sub-freezing temperatures, as expected. Huntsville and Decatur are reporting 24, and Birmingham 29 as I write this. But, a strong late February sun will warm us to around 60 degrees this afternoon. And, that warming trend continues with a good chance of low 70s here by Wednesday.

NEXT RAIN? A surface front will drift through here late Thursday or Thursday night, and will bring a risk of a few scattered showers, and slightly cooler temperatures by Friday. This should not be a big rain event; in fact many spots will see no rain at all. And, highs on Friday will be in the 60s, still pretty comfortable.

Most likely our next significant rain event comes late in the weekend on Sunday as a fairly strong impulse moves through the zonal flow over the southern U.S. Most likely some thunderstorms will be involved.

MARCH COLD SNAP: The GFS is advertising a major late season cold snap in the March 5-7 time frame over the eastern and southeast U.S. If it happens to be correct, we would have a hard freeze here on at least one morning in that time frame. The GFS also suggests the chance of a major east coast winter storm.

And... the GFS is hinting at a severe weather setup for the Deep South in the March 10-12 period.

For all of the new readers here, there is not much skill in a specific forecast beyond seven days; model output can be complete voodoo. But, we can watch for trends. And, the trend for March is for active, changeable weather here. Just what you expect this time of the year.

STORM ALERT 2006: Don't forget Storm Alert 2006 is TOMORROW NIGHT (Tuesday night) at the Northport Civic Center at 7:00. This is your last chance to see the show... be sure and come early to get a good seat and meet our weather team.

TODAY: I will be doing a program on weather at Rocky Ridge Elementary School in Hoover; then it it on to the office. I will have the afternoon video ready by 3:30. Have a nice Monday!