Overall, showers and thunderstorms have diminished in strength.
At 10:40 pm, it was raining over most of:
* Jefferson County
* Extreme East Tuscaloosa County
* Bibb County
* West Shelby County
* NW Chilton County
The heaviest rain tonight was over North Bibb County and around Vance in East Tuscaloosa. Based on radar estimates, over two inches probably fell north of Centreville and near Vance.
0.40 was the actual measurement in Helena
0.21 in Maylene/Alabaster
0.57 along the Hueytown/Concord line
This may be our final update for the evening since storms are weaker. However, if they grow stronger again, we will be here with fresh coffee and going at it again.
Late Night Update--10:40 Report
July 4, 2006, 10:40 pm9:40 PM QUICK LOOK
July 4, 2006, 9:45 pm
9:40 PM: Storms weaker now Centreville-Brent area but it is pouring all along the Bibb-Tuscaloosa County line with Vance near the west edge of the heavier rain. Observer in Vance reports rain heavier than ever...pouring also over South Shelby County north along I-65 from the Chilton County line to just south of Alabaster. David Black reporting rain now Pelham-Maylene area.
Moving NE. Showers continue West half of Jefferson County but not as heavy as earlier
In Helena, Brian Peters reports 78 degrees with rain beginning. He also reports doppler radar estimates of around one inch of rain south of Vance and as much as 2.25 inches just north of Centreville, Bibb County.
Moving NE. Showers continue West half of Jefferson County but not as heavy as earlier
In Helena, Brian Peters reports 78 degrees with rain beginning. He also reports doppler radar estimates of around one inch of rain south of Vance and as much as 2.25 inches just north of Centreville, Bibb County.
ADDITIONAL UPDATE--Northeast Alabama
July 4, 2006, 9:28 pm
Showers continue from near Cullman north to about Decatur.
However, over the north third of the state the heaviest rain at 9:25 pm was over the NE part from the NE half of Calhoun County northward into South Cherokee County. Most of it between the Anniston-Weaver area north through Piedmont to near Centre.
Strongest storm of all was just over the border near Cedartown, Ga.
QUICK ADDITIONAL UPDATE FROM VANCE IN EAST TUSCALOOSA COUNTY
Raining so hard that observer could hardly see out the door. A rain-cooled 72 degrees at 9:25 pm!
However, over the north third of the state the heaviest rain at 9:25 pm was over the NE part from the NE half of Calhoun County northward into South Cherokee County. Most of it between the Anniston-Weaver area north through Piedmont to near Centre.
Strongest storm of all was just over the border near Cedartown, Ga.
QUICK ADDITIONAL UPDATE FROM VANCE IN EAST TUSCALOOSA COUNTY
Raining so hard that observer could hardly see out the door. A rain-cooled 72 degrees at 9:25 pm!
QUICK 9:15 PM LOOK
July 4, 2006, 9:17 pm
9:15 PM: West of Birmingham area, heaviest rain is along Jefferson-Walker County line moving NNE toward Flat Creek, Dora and Sayre.
Bibb County has most of the heavier showers/thunderstorms as far north as West Blocton and Marvel, advancing NE into SW Shelby County approaching I-65 south of Alabaster...will be in Alabaster soon.
Almost blinding rain reported by 3340 skywatcher in Vance (East Tuscaloosa County)
Will Update rest of North Alabama ASAP
Bibb County has most of the heavier showers/thunderstorms as far north as West Blocton and Marvel, advancing NE into SW Shelby County approaching I-65 south of Alabaster...will be in Alabaster soon.
Almost blinding rain reported by 3340 skywatcher in Vance (East Tuscaloosa County)
Will Update rest of North Alabama ASAP
QUICK ADDITIONAL 8:55 PM UPDATE
July 4, 2006, 8:59 pm
8:53 PM: Heaviest rain over West Jefferson now near Oak Grove and moving NNE toward Birmingport but moderate rain as far east as Fairfield-Ensley.
Heaviest of all is over North Bibb County approaching West Blocton-Woodstock-Marvel and headed toward SW Shelby County. This heavier rain is in a position to move possibly into immediate Birmingham area later.
(Scroll down to see how to look at streaming fireworks coverage)
Heaviest of all is over North Bibb County approaching West Blocton-Woodstock-Marvel and headed toward SW Shelby County. This heavier rain is in a position to move possibly into immediate Birmingham area later.
(Scroll down to see how to look at streaming fireworks coverage)
Storms Increasing Again as 4th of July Fireworks Time Approaches
July 4, 2006, 8:45 pm
Showers and thunderstorms were actually increasing again early tonight as the time approached to set off holiday fireworks.
At 8:40 pm, showers and storms were especially noticeable in Central Alabama fom Perry and Dallas County northward through Bibb, East Tuscaloosa, West Jefferson and South Walker County.
The SW Jefferson County community near the Hueytown-Concord line was experiening their 5th round of showers and storms since early this afternoon with a nice display of lightning. Another 3340 skywatcher reported lots of lightning at Vance in East Tuscaloosa County...almost continuous.
In NE Alabama, moderate to heavy showers were falling over an area from near Anniston northward through Etowah and South marshall County and into SW Dekalb County.
All of the storms were moving between north and NE. Some of these may get into the immediate Birmingham area before the fireworks are over.
At 8:40 pm, showers and storms were especially noticeable in Central Alabama fom Perry and Dallas County northward through Bibb, East Tuscaloosa, West Jefferson and South Walker County.
The SW Jefferson County community near the Hueytown-Concord line was experiening their 5th round of showers and storms since early this afternoon with a nice display of lightning. Another 3340 skywatcher reported lots of lightning at Vance in East Tuscaloosa County...almost continuous.
In NE Alabama, moderate to heavy showers were falling over an area from near Anniston northward through Etowah and South marshall County and into SW Dekalb County.
All of the storms were moving between north and NE. Some of these may get into the immediate Birmingham area before the fireworks are over.
Early Evening Look at Alabama--6:40 Report
July 4, 2006, 6:47 pm
Overall, not as many showers/storms as compared to this afternoon. A look at some of them:
* Moderate thunderstorm east Tuscaloosa County near Brookwood and north of I 59/20
* Thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rain along Blount-Marshall County line and into West Etowah County west of Attalla-Gadsden. Some of this heavier rain spreading NE toward Guntersville
* Moderate showers in the Russellville-Haleyville-Smith Lake area of NW Alabama
* Moderate to strong thunderstorm over North Dallas County, NW of Selma. A relatively small one
Movement of showers/storms slowly toward the north and NE
I doubt if very many people are reading these reports with everyone outdoors for baseball and fireworks.
* Moderate thunderstorm east Tuscaloosa County near Brookwood and north of I 59/20
* Thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rain along Blount-Marshall County line and into West Etowah County west of Attalla-Gadsden. Some of this heavier rain spreading NE toward Guntersville
* Moderate showers in the Russellville-Haleyville-Smith Lake area of NW Alabama
* Moderate to strong thunderstorm over North Dallas County, NW of Selma. A relatively small one
Movement of showers/storms slowly toward the north and NE
I doubt if very many people are reading these reports with everyone outdoors for baseball and fireworks.
Late Afternoon Update--5 O'clock Report
July 4, 2006, 5:12 pm
Not much chance in the number of thunderstorms in the last hour or so. Shortly after 5 pm, some of the main ones were located at:
* Blount County between Oneonta and Cleveland
* East Marion County east of hamilton
* Colbert County east of Tuscumbia
* Dekalb County near Fort Payne
* South Shelby County west of Columbiana
* North Elmore County north of Wetumpka
The storms over west and SW Jefferson County diminished. However, a series of four storms moved across the area near the Hueytown-Concord line this afternoon (actually about 3 miles west of the main part of Hueytown) proving 0.52 of an inch of rain and cooling the temperature to 75. South Hueytown received only 1/10th of an inch and Sumiton a mere 0.02.
All of the storms late this afternoon were moving generally toward the NE
* Blount County between Oneonta and Cleveland
* East Marion County east of hamilton
* Colbert County east of Tuscumbia
* Dekalb County near Fort Payne
* South Shelby County west of Columbiana
* North Elmore County north of Wetumpka
The storms over west and SW Jefferson County diminished. However, a series of four storms moved across the area near the Hueytown-Concord line this afternoon (actually about 3 miles west of the main part of Hueytown) proving 0.52 of an inch of rain and cooling the temperature to 75. South Hueytown received only 1/10th of an inch and Sumiton a mere 0.02.
All of the storms late this afternoon were moving generally toward the NE
Late Afternoon Storms--4:20 pm Report
July 4, 2006, 4:24 pm
They are still widely spaced but some communities are getting brief downpours. Here is where some of the main storms were as of 4:20 pm:
* Franklin and Lauderdale County in NW Alabama
* North Cherokee and Dekalb County in NE Alabama
* Southwest Jefferson County passing west of Bessemer
These are not nearly all the showers--just some of the main ones.
They are moving toward the NNE.
(Later this afternoon and this evening, we will try to post more frequently because of the interest in fireworks)
* Franklin and Lauderdale County in NW Alabama
* North Cherokee and Dekalb County in NE Alabama
* Southwest Jefferson County passing west of Bessemer
These are not nearly all the showers--just some of the main ones.
They are moving toward the NNE.
(Later this afternoon and this evening, we will try to post more frequently because of the interest in fireworks)
THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
July 4, 2006, 2:57 pm
One other thing we should mention...this is one of those afternoons when the "heat-island" effect may kick in for the Birmingham area.
Winds aloft are sluggish. This will allow hot air currents to rise and condense into clouds and eventually showers and storms. This may allow some storms to form over the metro area when they might not form out in the green countryside.
Bottom line, a thunderstorm could form at anytime over the area.
Several are underway over West and SW Jefferson County. One gave 0.26 rainfall along the area between Concord and Hueytown and lowered the temperature about 10 degrees to 87.
Still, most areas will remain dry.
Winds aloft are sluggish. This will allow hot air currents to rise and condense into clouds and eventually showers and storms. This may allow some storms to form over the metro area when they might not form out in the green countryside.
Bottom line, a thunderstorm could form at anytime over the area.
Several are underway over West and SW Jefferson County. One gave 0.26 rainfall along the area between Concord and Hueytown and lowered the temperature about 10 degrees to 87.
Still, most areas will remain dry.