Some Quick Forecast Thoughts

Quick notes from the forecast office...

Some 8:00 a.m. conditions:

Anniston 42 and cloudy
Tuscaloosa 38 with rain
Birmingham 37 with rain
Gadsden 37 and cloudy
Fort Payne 34 with rain
Muscle Shoals 33 with freezing rain
Huntsville 33 with freezing rain
Decatur 33 with freezing rain

The observation at Cullman is not correct.... there is a calibration issue there at the airport (near Vinemont). The automated system is reporting 30, but most likely it is 32 or 33 now.

We have a number of reports of freezing rain and ice accumulation on exposed surfaces over the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama... seems the freezing rain reports are mostly north of a line from Hamilton to Cullman to Guntersville.

A cold rain is falling south of this line.

The Arctic air continues to slowly seep into Alabama, and temperatures should fall slowly during the day. Some bridge icing could develop today as far south as Sulligent, Jasper, Blount Springs, and Jacksonville.

As we have discussed for days here, we expect only a cold rain for the I-20 corridor during the day (Birmingham, Anniston, Tuscaloosa). However, tonight as temperatures fall below freezing in this area some light bridge icing is possible. Any precipitation tonight should be very light, but even a little freezing drizzle can lead to dozens of accidents; I have seen it many times on Birmingham interstates.

I think much of the day tomorrow will be dry, but the next round of rain comes in here late tomorrow night into Monday morning. That will be another close call with bridge icing... more on that as the weekend unfolds....
Posted by CJ  
on February 18, 2006, 8:19 am
Posted by  
on February 18, 2006, 8:58 am
hey guys,thanks for all the great info.my wife has to be in arab at a church function until 1pm this afternoon.any guess as to conditions around that time? thanks so much.

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Posted by CJ  
on February 18, 2006, 9:17 am
Jim,

In Arab, AL the weather at around 1pm will mostly likely
be mix of snow and sleet.

[Periods of snow and sleet. High around 35. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.]

(Courtesy of: National Weather Service)


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Posted by  
on February 18, 2006, 9:23 am
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION.TOLD HER TO GET BACK HOME.THANKS AGAIN, JIM

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Posted by  
on February 18, 2006, 9:21 am
Sleet mixed with rain here in Central Walker County. Icicles starting to form on items, such as gazebo.

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Posted by  
on February 18, 2006, 9:57 am
Hey Jim I don't think your wife has anything to worry about the temperature at 1 P.M. should be around 35. So the roads should be just wet. Now if the temperature drops to or below 32 than start worring but untill then just watch it.

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Posted by  
on February 18, 2006, 10:23 am
i want to thank you all for all the information.this is the best site on the planet. in oneonta,still just a cold rain 34 degrees.

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