Big Day in Central US

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It is going to be a busy day for meteorologists in the central US today with parameters coming together for a potentially significant tornado outbreak. Watches are already in place and I'm certain we'll see many more of those along with numerous warnings as the day goes on. But back in Alabama, we're expecting another warm day as afternoon high temperatures reach the lower 80s. And dew points remain in the lower and mid 60s, so our air mass is conditionally unstable. We might see a shower or two in the afternoon, but there is nothing besides afternoon heating to help kick off showers, so we should remain essentially dry.

The action for us looks like it will come Monday afternoon and evening as the low pressure system moving through the central US today reaches the Great Lakes area and drags a cold front through Alabama. We'll remain very moist but with the best dynamics well to our north, but severe thunderstorms are a real possibility from Alabama and Mississippi all the way to the New England States.

The cold front ushers in cooler and drier air for Tuesday. As the high settles over the Southeast, we should see a good radiational cooling night Tuesday night with Wednesday morning lows in the mid 30s.

A short wave in the northwest flow on Thursday will bring another shot of precipitation, but this does not appear to be a severe weather maker. The Gulf opens once again but the overall dynamics don't seem to be strong enough for a severe weather threat.

Our weather dries out once again on Friday and Saturday with another cool morning Saturday. Saturday should be a great day with highs in the upper 60s. Another chance of rain comes on Sunday.

ALERT, the Alabama Emergency Response Team, the amateur radio operators who work at the NWS office at the Shelby County Airport during severe weather communicating with storm spotters will be holding their regular monthly meeting this coming Tuesday at 7 pm at the Bluff Park Community Center. If you are an amateur radio operator interested in emergency communications, you are invited to come to the meeting and see what ALERT is all about.

Hope your Sunday is a good one with a great upcoming week. Stay weather-wise.

-Brian-