Blow Me Down...

The Tuesday morning web video is on the server:

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

Sunshine returns to Alabama today, but that wind will cut you in half. Northwest winds this morning could gust to 30 mph, with gusts to 40 mph possible on the ridges. The gradient should loosen up a bit this afternoon as the big storm rolls up the eastern seaboard. Look for a light freeze tonight.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

1. A northwest flow disturbance will produce some precipitation across Alabama tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night. Rain should slip into northwest Alabama by mid afternoon, becoming more widespread by evening over the northern half of the state.

SO... any snow??? There is no doubt we could see a few snowflakes, but everything I see this morning doesn't exactly suggest anything to get excited about. The problems:

*These systems moving in a northwest flow aloft rarely have lots of moisture. Precpitation amounts should be very light.

*While the 1000-500 mb thickness values are cold enough for snow, the 1000-850 thickness values are only very marginal. Another words, the lower 2000-3000 feet of the atmosphere might be too warm. Those little flakes might melt before reaching the ground. And, even if they do, temperatures should be above freezing near the surface.

I will say this, I have been burned before with little systems like this due to dynamic cooling and some Gulf moisture getting wrapped in the system. But for now, I would not get out the sleds.

2. Another clipper might squeeze out some flurries late Thursday night or Friday morning. I have not mentioned this in the forecast, but sure looks possible. Friday looks windy and cold... I think the GFS MOS is way too warm. We should stay in the 40s all day Friday... much like today.

3. The weekend should feature moderating temperatures, with low 60s by Saturday, and readings nearing 70 by Sunday.

I will be back with an afternoon update later today.... headed out to Gardendale shortly to see the little guys at the pre-school at Gardendale's First Baptist Church. I love to hear their stories, which usually have nothing to do with weather...