The Wednesday afternoon map discussion video is on the web, and available via iTunes:
http://www.jamesspann.com/
Check out these 3:00 p.m. temperatures:
Muscle Shoals 76
Birmingham 87
Calera (Shelby County Airport) 88
Tuscaloosa 91
Anniston 91
In recent days, most spots were somewhere between 95 and 100 at this hour. A very nice change. Clouds and showers are helping to keep a lid on the heat today; and we will maintain a good chance of showers and storms tonight into tomorrow morning as a "cold" front moves into North Alabama.
Looks like the window for rain will be closing around midday tomorrow as drier air begins to move into the state from the north. Between now and midday tomorrow, there is a reasonable chance most spots will see one-half inch of rain. Some places a little more, some a little less.
Temperatures tomorrow should remain comfortable; the GFS is showing a high of 84 and the NAM is at 86. Both models suggest the best chance of rain will come during the morning hours.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Both days should feature a good supply of sunshine with lower humidity and cooler nights. The surface front will be moving through the far southern part of Alabama, and should reach the northern Gulf by the beginning of the weekend.
TROPICAL ISSUES? As I have discussed here for several days, we will watch the old front in the northern Gulf this weekend for any sign of a tropical depression forming in the region. Best possible scenario is for a depression to form just offshore, and then it moves north through Alabama bringing a soaking rain. But, that is not a forecast... just something that is possible.
One way or another, moist air should move back into Alabama early next week with at least a chance of afternoon showers and storms.
LONG RANGE: No sign of any runaway heat through much of July according to the GFS; everything looks "normal", that would suggest highs in the low 90s, early morning lows around 70, and an almost daily risk of an afternoon shower or storm. The most intense heat seems to be over the western half of the nation.
NEW SKYCAM SITE: Our new SKYCAM in Jasper is operational; we should have it on the web shortly:
http://www.abc3340.com/static/skycams/skycamsmain.html
SKYCAMs will be coming online within the next few weeks in Cullman, Clanton, and Gulf Shores as we continue to build the network.
RADAR: Had a problem with our Pinpoint Doppler Radar up on Double Oak Mountain earlier today, but thanks to Ron Thomas and Gary Watkins of our engineering staff we are back in full operation.
I will have the next map discussion video ready by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow!
http://www.jamesspann.com/
Check out these 3:00 p.m. temperatures:
Muscle Shoals 76
Birmingham 87
Calera (Shelby County Airport) 88
Tuscaloosa 91
Anniston 91
In recent days, most spots were somewhere between 95 and 100 at this hour. A very nice change. Clouds and showers are helping to keep a lid on the heat today; and we will maintain a good chance of showers and storms tonight into tomorrow morning as a "cold" front moves into North Alabama.
Looks like the window for rain will be closing around midday tomorrow as drier air begins to move into the state from the north. Between now and midday tomorrow, there is a reasonable chance most spots will see one-half inch of rain. Some places a little more, some a little less.
Temperatures tomorrow should remain comfortable; the GFS is showing a high of 84 and the NAM is at 86. Both models suggest the best chance of rain will come during the morning hours.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY: Both days should feature a good supply of sunshine with lower humidity and cooler nights. The surface front will be moving through the far southern part of Alabama, and should reach the northern Gulf by the beginning of the weekend.
TROPICAL ISSUES? As I have discussed here for several days, we will watch the old front in the northern Gulf this weekend for any sign of a tropical depression forming in the region. Best possible scenario is for a depression to form just offshore, and then it moves north through Alabama bringing a soaking rain. But, that is not a forecast... just something that is possible.
One way or another, moist air should move back into Alabama early next week with at least a chance of afternoon showers and storms.
LONG RANGE: No sign of any runaway heat through much of July according to the GFS; everything looks "normal", that would suggest highs in the low 90s, early morning lows around 70, and an almost daily risk of an afternoon shower or storm. The most intense heat seems to be over the western half of the nation.
NEW SKYCAM SITE: Our new SKYCAM in Jasper is operational; we should have it on the web shortly:
http://www.abc3340.com/static/skycams/skycamsmain.html
SKYCAMs will be coming online within the next few weeks in Cullman, Clanton, and Gulf Shores as we continue to build the network.
RADAR: Had a problem with our Pinpoint Doppler Radar up on Double Oak Mountain earlier today, but thanks to Ron Thomas and Gary Watkins of our engineering staff we are back in full operation.
I will have the next map discussion video ready by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow!