Showers Popping Up

The Monday afternoon map discussion video is on the server:

http://www.jamesspann.com/

Don't forget all of our video and audio products are avalable now on iTunes; just search for ABC 33/40 in the podcast section.

Showers have developed this afternoon over the northern part of Alabama, generally north of I-59. With such a huge upper low to the north, this is to be expected. And, a few widely scattered showers are possible tomorrow and Wednesday. But, the chance of any one neighborhood getting wet remains relatively small, and temperatures will remain unusually pleasant for mid-May in Alabama.

LATE IN THE WEEK: Looks like Thursday will be dry, but at the end of the week a cold front will approach from the north, and that might trigger a few showers late Friday or Friday night. Moisture will be very limited, and like the activity today the showers should be widely spaced.

WEEKEND PEEK: The 12Z GFS looks pretty dry for the weekend. Drier air will move into Alabama following the Friday night front, and for the moment the weather looks mostly dry and warm Saturday and Sunday with only isolated showers possible. We will probably take out the mention of isolated showers if the models continue to trend dry. Afternoon temperatures should reach the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday, which is near normal for this time of the year in Alabama.

LONG RANGE: The maps are showing a shift in the upper pattern over North America toward late May, as the primary jet stream shifts to the north. This is to be expected, and it should mean warmer and more humid weather during the last week in May. Highs in the 80s, and scattered afternoon showers and storms showing up in the forecast more frequently. Another words, our summer pattern seems to be forming right on time.

I enjoyed speaking to the third graders today at Shades Mountain Christian... also had some of the high school students in there that are studying meteorology. Look for them on the KIDCAM on ABC 33/40 News at 5:00 this afternoon!

The next map discussion video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow!
Posted by  
on May 15, 2006, 3:36 pm
Posted by  
on May 15, 2006, 4:01 pm
This has to be the most freakish May in nine years. It's May 1997 all over again.

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Posted by  
on May 15, 2006, 5:55 pm
Did anyone see the double rainbows around 6:00 this evening? I was coming home from down near UAB and saw it out over St. Vincent's and then followed it down 280. I wished I had a camera with me. One was brilliantly colored and the second one was very faint. At first, I thought I was seeing things with the second one but even as I turned, I could still see two distinct rainbows. It was a beautiful sight!

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Posted by John T.  
on May 15, 2006, 6:29 pm
I agree Argus . I suppose the 2 of us are the only ones that think this wx kinda sucks . Bring me back the 60s/80s if its just for my area . This would be perfectly fine IF it was late Sept. / early Oct .. I am however a "cold natured person" , yea I know , this is my problem .

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