The Thursday morning video update is on the server:
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
HMMMMM.
The NWS in Birmingham has issued a winter storm watch for counties east of Birmingham for tomorrow night and Saturday morning. I have absolutely no issues with my friends down there... they really do a wonderful job, but I have to wonder about the CRITERIA for a winter storm watch and warning in Alabama. With the exception of a few years in Dallas in the 1980s, I have lived here all my life and have a pretty good grasp on how people react to winter weather situations here.
When most people hear winter storm watch, they begin to head to the stores and buy "you know what", and expect a long duration snow or ice event.
This thing tomorrow night and Saturday morning will indeed bring a good chance of bridge icing, but I would consider it more of a temporary nuisance instead of a "winter storm". The ground is very warm, and roads will be just wet. Bridges will be the issue. And, yes, some ice could accumulate on trees and power lines, but I don't expect it to be enough to create widespread power outages. I notice NWS offices in Huntsville and Atlanta opted not to go with a winter storm watch.
The main window for bridge icing over east Alabama will come from about 10:00 Friday night through 8:00 Saturday morning, and mainly east of a line from Huntsville to Pell City to Alexander City. Some of the models are hinting at some 30 degree temperatures maybe earlier that 10:00, so that timing and the line might have to be adjusted. Dealing with a wedge is not easy at all, and like J.B. says, I tend to run for the hills when it comes into play. But, that is not an option and we will be at work looking at it closely.
Latest model data backs off on the idea of strong storms early next week, holding the main system back west of El Paso. Then, when it comes out, the GFS is locking on to the idea of a major storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico, then roaring up the Atlantic coast in the Feb 6-9 time frame. Very interesting.. watch the video for details.
Speaking over in Anniston this morning; will be back in the office by early afternoon for the afternoon video update and a good look at the 12Z model runs!
http://beta.abc3340.com/weather/video.hrb
HMMMMM.
The NWS in Birmingham has issued a winter storm watch for counties east of Birmingham for tomorrow night and Saturday morning. I have absolutely no issues with my friends down there... they really do a wonderful job, but I have to wonder about the CRITERIA for a winter storm watch and warning in Alabama. With the exception of a few years in Dallas in the 1980s, I have lived here all my life and have a pretty good grasp on how people react to winter weather situations here.
When most people hear winter storm watch, they begin to head to the stores and buy "you know what", and expect a long duration snow or ice event.
This thing tomorrow night and Saturday morning will indeed bring a good chance of bridge icing, but I would consider it more of a temporary nuisance instead of a "winter storm". The ground is very warm, and roads will be just wet. Bridges will be the issue. And, yes, some ice could accumulate on trees and power lines, but I don't expect it to be enough to create widespread power outages. I notice NWS offices in Huntsville and Atlanta opted not to go with a winter storm watch.
The main window for bridge icing over east Alabama will come from about 10:00 Friday night through 8:00 Saturday morning, and mainly east of a line from Huntsville to Pell City to Alexander City. Some of the models are hinting at some 30 degree temperatures maybe earlier that 10:00, so that timing and the line might have to be adjusted. Dealing with a wedge is not easy at all, and like J.B. says, I tend to run for the hills when it comes into play. But, that is not an option and we will be at work looking at it closely.
Latest model data backs off on the idea of strong storms early next week, holding the main system back west of El Paso. Then, when it comes out, the GFS is locking on to the idea of a major storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico, then roaring up the Atlantic coast in the Feb 6-9 time frame. Very interesting.. watch the video for details.
Speaking over in Anniston this morning; will be back in the office by early afternoon for the afternoon video update and a good look at the 12Z model runs!
on January 27, 2005, 8:31 am
Although I hate to run to the store and stand in those long lines, I would rather do that then be caught like we were the last big big storm. Luckly we bought groceries the night it started but had not prepared for how bad it turned out. We had no water nor heat for 4 days and had to bring snow in to melt for water and bring fire logs in let them thaw enough to burn and on top of it all I had a newborn at that time who got really sick with high fever and no way to get him to hospital. So after going through all of that I'm glad we sometimes jump the gun, I would much rather us do that then be stuck with kids and no food.
It's funny cause the day of that big storm which none of us seen coming, when we heard reports we ran to store stood in line forever i know it had to be 2 hours and when we came out it had started to snow, i had to small children one 2 and one 1 month old and we pulled car up to curve put kids and purse in car cause it was snowing and started to load groceries we were already nervous about making it home before it iced and got slippery so we were rushing, well wouldnt you know my 2 year old lock the doors, with keys in purse in car and my infant started to cry and I panic that was one of the most frightening days. So as you can see I want to know whats happening even if it doesnt pan out, I don't want to ever be put in that panic mood again lol.
Thanks James as always your my fav weather person.
Kim
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