Mike Wilhelm's Alabama Weather Blog

---

Bamawx.com

Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
529 PM CST SAT FEB 28 2009

...HEAVIER SNOWFALL LIKELY ACROSS THE CENTRAL TENNESSEE VALLEY
TONIGHT AND SUNDAY...

.A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVING OUT OF MISSOURI WILL DRIVE
TOWARDS THE NORTHERN GULF COAST TONIGHT...DRAGGING COLD AIR AND
MOISTURE INTO THE CENTRAL TENNESSEE VALLEY. PRECIPITATION WILL
INITIALLY START AS RAIN THIS EVENING...BUT WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW
BY MIDNIGHT. BY MIDDAY SUNDAY...TWO TO FOUR INCHES OF SNOW WILL BE
COMMON ACROSS THE REGION...WITH LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTHWEST ALABAMA
MOST LIKELY TO SEE HIGHER SNOW AMOUNTS.

ALZ005>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-010600-
/O.UPG.KHUN.WW.Y.0001.090301T0400Z-090301T2100Z/
/O.NEW.KHUN.WS.W.0001.090301T0600Z-090301T1800Z/
LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-
LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ATHENS...HUNTSVILLE...DECATUR...
GUNTERSVILLE...SCOTTSBORO...FORT PAYNE...CULLMAN...LYNCHBURG...
FAYETTEVILLE...WINCHESTER
529 PM CST SAT FEB 28 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 12 PM
CST SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT
TONIGHT TO 12 PM CST SUNDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO
LONGER IN EFFECT.

PRECIPITATION WILL BEGIN PUSHING INTO NORTH ALABAMA AND PARTS OF
SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THIS EVENING. AS COLDER AIR FILTERS
IN...THE RAIN WILL CHANGE OVER TO SNOW AROUND MIDNIGHT. PERIODS OF
SNOW WILL OCCUR OVERNIGHT AND INTO SUNDAY MORNING...BEFORE FINALLY
TAPERING OFF AROUND MIDDAY. MOST AREAS TONIGHT CAN EXPECT
ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES. HOWEVER...AS SNOWFALL CONTINUES
OVER THE TENNESSEE VALLEY SUNDAY...TOTAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF
TWO TO FOUR INCHES ARE EXPECTED.

IN ADDITION TO SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS
DEVELOPING DURING THE DAY SUNDAY WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS BLOWING
SNOW CONDITIONS RESULTING IN REDUCED VISIBILITIES. USE CAUTION
WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING.  SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

$$

4:35 Columbus Nexrad

Radar trends seem to be indicating that snow might come earlier, and accumulate in higher amounts than is currently being mentioned in the advisories. Stay tuned!

MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0178
 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
 0357 PM CST SAT FEB 28 2009

 AREAS AFFECTED...NERN AR...WRN TN...NRN MS...FAR NWRN AL

 CONCERNING...WINTER MIXED PRECIPITATION

 VALID 282157Z - 010200Z

 SNOWFALL/SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE SLOWLY SPREADING INTO NRN
 MS...AND A RECENT CHANGE OVER TO SNOW HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN TN NEAR
 MEMPHIS. WHILE MDT/HVY SNOWFALL MAY BRIEFLY BE POSSIBLE AT
 TIMES...THE MAIN CONCERN LIES WITH THE SLOW NATURE OF THE SYSTEM AND
 POTENTIALLY ANOMALOUS OVERALL SNOW TOTALS FOR THE REGION.

 A VIGOROUS UPPER LOW IS NOW CENTERED ROUGHLY NEAR THE KS/MO/OK/AR
 BORDERS. AT THE SURFACE...ARCTIC HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES TO BUILD
 SWD THROUGH THE CNTRL STATES...WHILE AN INVERTED TROUGH AXIS HAS
 STRENGTHENED...EXTENDING WNWWD THROUGH NRN AL/MS...NWWD THROUGH THE
 TN/AR BORDERS...AND NWD INTO WRN MO. THIS HAS REMAINED A FAVORED
 AREA FOR PRECIPITATION DEVELOPMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH STRONG UPPER
 DIVERGENCE/FAVORABLE JET DYNAMICS AS A 95+ KT 500 MB JET...OBSERVED
 ON RECENT PROFILER DATA...NOSES INTO THE AREA. COLD AIR ADVECTION
 HAS SEEMINGLY BEEN FASTER THAN MOST MODELS HAVE PREVIOUSLY
 INDICATED...AND RECENT OBSERVATIONS INDICATE MODERATE SNOW IS
 ONGOING...WHILE ACARS SOUNDINGS SHOW PROFILES ARE NOW SUBFREEZING.
 ADDITIONALLY...TRAFFIC/WEBCAMS ACROSS NRN MS ARE INDICATIVE THAT A
 TRANSITION TO SNOW HAS OCCURRED AS WELL...AND ACCUMULATION HAS
 ALREADY BEGUN. INITIAL RATES...PERHAPS LACKING UNDER A MID LEVEL DRY
 SLOT...WILL IMPROVE OVER TIME AS THE UPPER LOW SLOWLY MOVES SEWD.
 MOISTURE SEEN ON WV AND RADAR IMAGERY WILL THEN WRAP
 AROUND...PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR SNOW AS TEMPERATURES
 CONTINUE TO COOL ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST. ENSEMBLE AND DETERMINISTIC
 MODELS SEEM TO INDICATE GREATER ACCUMULATIONS WILL OCCUR AFTER 00Z
 INTO THE OVERNIGHT TIME FRAME...WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOMALOUS
 TOTALS OWING TO THE INITIAL/RELATIVE SLOW MOVEMENT OF THE UPPER LOW.

 ..HURLBUT.. 02/28/2009

   MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0175    NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK    1147 AM CST SAT FEB 28 2009        AREAS AFFECTED...SERN MO...NERN AR...WRN TN/KY        CONCERNING...HEAVY SNOW         VALID 281747Z - 282145Z        MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW HAS OCCASIONALLY BEEN OBSERVED ACROSS S CNTRL    MO OVER THE PAST FEW HOURS...WITH A RECENT REPORT OF 2 INCHES AN    HOUR AT FT WOOD. ANTICIPATE THIS TREND TO CONTINUE ESEWD TOWARD SERN    MO...NERN AR...AND WRN TN/KY. RATES OF NEAR 1 TO 2 INCHES AN HOUR    CAN BE EXPECTED IN HEAVIER SNOWFALL IN ADDITION TO RESTRICTED    VISIBILITIES.         A VIGOROUS UPPER LOW...CURRENTLY LOCATED OVER ERN KS...WILL QUICKLY    DIVE SEWD REACHING CNTRL AR BY 00Z. AT THE SURFACE...STRONG ARCTIC    HIGH PRESSURE IS QUICKLY BUILDING ACROSS THE CNTRL STATES...AND    SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN ACROSS THE OUTLINE AREA WHILE    AREAS TO THE SOUTH AND EAST WILL QUICKLY COOL THROUGH THE AFTERNOON    IN STRONG COLD AIR ADVECTION. A NW TO SE ORIENTED BAND OF MDT/HVY    SNOW IS OCCURRING AHEAD OF THE UPPER LOW...WITH ADDITIONAL    DEVELOPMENT BEGINNING INTO SERN MO...WRN KY/TN...AND NERN AR ALONG    AN INVERTED SURFACE TROUGH AXIS AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH STRONG UPPER    DIVERGENCE/FAVORABLE JET DYNAMICS. SUBTLE ISENTROPIC LIFT IS    CONTRIBUTING AS WELL...WITH RELATIVE WARM/MOIST AIR TO THE EAST    BEING DRAWN ATOP THE ARCTIC AIRMASS/SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES TO THE    WEST. THIS IS REFLECTED WELL IN RECENT PADUCAH VAD WIND PROFILES.    12Z SPRINGFIELD SOUNDING SHOWS SATURATED COLUMN GENERALLY FROM THE    SURFACE THROUGH 500 MB...AND MODEL SOUNDINGS ARE INDICATIVE THAT    AREAS IMMEDIATELY DOWNSTREAM WILL REMAIN SATURATED AS    WELL...PROMOTING MDT/HVY SNOW. EXPECT THIS TREND TO GENERALLY SHIFT    ESEWD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE UPPER LOW.        ..HURLBUT.. 02/28/2009

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
216 PM CST SAT FEB 28 2009

...ONE TO TWO INCHES OF SNOWFALL EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE CENTRAL
TENNESSEE VALLEY AREA FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON...

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-010445-
/O.NEW.KHUN.WW.Y.0001.090301T0400Z-090301T2100Z/
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-
MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FLORENCE...MUSCLE SHOALS...
RUSSELLVILLE...MOULTON...ATHENS...HUNTSVILLE...DECATUR...
GUNTERSVILLE...SCOTTSBORO...FORT PAYNE...CULLMAN...LYNCHBURG...
FAYETTEVILLE...WINCHESTER
216 PM CST SAT FEB 28 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
3 PM CST SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES...
WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM CST SUNDAY.

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE STORM SYSTEM OUT OF THE MIDWEST STATES WILL
BEGIN TO IMPACT THE CENTRAL TENNESSEE VALLEY AREA WITH A CHANCE
OF RAIN BEGINNING THIS EVENING. HOWEVER AS COLDER AIR FILTERS INTO
THE TENNESSEE VALLEY DURING THE LATE EVENING HOURS...THE RAIN WILL
BEGIN TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW AROUND MIDNIGHT...AND CONTINUE THROUGH
THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS SUNDAY. MOST AREAS TONIGHT CAN EXPECT
ACCUMULATIONS LESS THAN ONE INCH OF SNOW. HOWEVER...AS SNOWFALL
CONTINUES OVER THE TENNESSEE VALLEY ON SUNDAY...TOTAL SNOWFALL
ACCUMULATIONS UP TO TWO INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE.

IN ADDITION TO SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS
DEVELOPING DURING THE DAY SUNDAY WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS BLOWING
SNOW CONDITIONS RESULTING IN REDUCED VISIBILITIES. USE CAUTION
WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOWFALL MEANS THAT SNOW WILL CAUSE
SOME TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS ALONG
WITH SLIPPERY SPOTS ON ELEVATED ROADWAYS AND BRIDGES...AND USE
CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL MEDIA OUTLETS FOR
FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN
HUNTSVILLE.

$$

Fort Rucker NEXRAD. Damage reported in white box.

07:59 BMX issues Tornado Warning for Chambers, Lee [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...* AT 756 AM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR WAVERLY...OR 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF AUBURN...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

08:09 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Lee, Macon, Russell [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 806 AM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR CHEWACLA STATE PARK...OR ABOUT NEAR AUBURN...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

08:11 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Chambers, Lee [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 806 AM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OAK BOWERY...OR ABOUT 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF OPELIKA...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

08:15 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Lee, Russell [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 810 AM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO ON THE GROUND JUST SOUTH OF OPELIKA. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR AUBURN...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

08:19 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Lee, Russell [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 815 AM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO ON THE GROUND. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BEAUREGARD...OR ABOUT NEAR OPELIKA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH...AND DAMAGE IS REPORTED WITH THIS STORM.

08:21 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Chambers, Lee [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 819 AM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MOUNT JEFFERSON...OR ABOUT NEAR OPELIKA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

08:26 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Lee, Russell [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 819 AM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 9 MILES WEST OF BLEECKER...OR ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OPELIKA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. THERE IS A REPORT OF CARS OVERTURNED AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 280 AND COUNTY ROAD 147.

08:30 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Lee, Russell [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 824 AM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO ON THE GROUND. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BLEECKER...OR ABOUT 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OPELIKA...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM. TAKE COVER IN THE NEAREST SHELTER.

08:34 BMX: 3 Nw Opelika [Lee Co, AL] broadcast media reports TORNADO at 08:10 AM CST -- a few vehicles were overturned near the intersection of highway 280 and highway 147.

08:34 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Chambers, Lee [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 829 AM CST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BEANS MILL...OR ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF VALLEY...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

08:36 BMX: 2 Ne Notasulga [Lee Co, AL] fire dept/rescue reports HAIL of pea size (E0.25 INCH) at 08:31 AM CST -- pea size hail along county road 14 in western lee county.

08:36 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Lee [AL] till 8:45 AM CST ...AT 833 AM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BLEECKER...OR ABOUT 12 MILES NORTHWEST OF PHENIX CITY...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM. TAKE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

BMX issues Tornado Warning for Pickens [AL] till 3:30 PM CST ...* AT 219 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 12 MILES WEST OF MEMPHIS...OR 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PICKENSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes [AL] till 2:30 PM CST ...AT 138 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TYLER...OR ABOUT 13 MILES SOUTHEAST OF SELMA...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery [AL] till 2:45 PM CST ...AT 145 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BOOTH...OR ABOUT NEAR PRATTVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

Trained Spotter (Amateur Radio) Reports heavy cloud to ground lightning and cloud rotation just west of Pratville.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes [AL] till 2:30 PM CST ...AT 150 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR COLLIRENE...OR ABOUT 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF MOSSES...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery [AL] till 2:45 PM CST ...AT 155 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PRATTVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

Trained Spotters report Heavy Cloud to Ground Lightning in Millbrook, Also possible Wall cloud spotted between Pratville, and Millbrook.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery [AL] till 2:45 PM CST ...AT 155 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR PRATTVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

Trained Spotters report Heavy Cloud to Ground Lightning in Millbrook, Also possible Wall cloud spotted between Pratville, and Millbrook.

Lightning is 20 strokes a minute estimated.

NWS requests any storm reports out of Prattville/Millbrook area

Live Streaming from Montgomery, Alabama's WSFA

...

BMX issues Tornado Warning for Dallas [AL] till 1:30 PM CST ...* AT 1244 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BOGUE CHITTO...OR 14 MILES SOUTHEAST OF UNIONTOWN...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Dallas [AL] till 1:30 PM CST ...AT 1258 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR ORRVILLE...OR ABOUT 16 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SELMA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

BMX issues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Chilton [AL] till 1:45 PM CST ...* AT 112 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BILLINGSLEY...OR 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF VALLEY GRANDE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Dallas [AL] till 1:30 PM CST ...AT 117 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR OLD CAHABA PARK...OR ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SELMA...MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Chilton [AL] till 1:45 PM CST ...AT 117 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR DAWSON MILL...OR ABOUT 13 MILES NORTHEAST OF VALLEY GRANDE...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

BMX issues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes [AL] till 2:30 PM CST ...* AT 127 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR SARDIS...OR 11 MILES SOUTH OF SELMA...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Chilton [AL] till 1:45 PM CST ...AT 127 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR VIDA JUNCTION...OR ABOUT 16 MILES SOUTH OF CLANTON...MOVING EAST AT 35 MPH.



BMX issues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Elmore, Montgomery [AL] till 2:45 PM CST ...* AT 136 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR BOOTH...OR 11 MILES NORTHWEST OF PRATTVILLE...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.
...

  SEL8

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 38
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
1240 PM CST FRI FEB 27 2009

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

       PARTS OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA
       SMALL PART OF SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
       PARTS OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
       LARGE PART OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI

EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 1240 PM UNTIL
800 PM CST.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND
GUSTS TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 70 STATUTE
MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM 40 MILES SOUTH SOUTHWEST OF
MONTICELLO ARKANSAS TO 5 MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF MONTGOMERY
ALABAMA.  FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE
ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU8).

REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 37...

DISCUSSION...SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ALONG AND S OF
E/W THERMAL BOUNDARY FROM SERN AR TO CENTRAL AL.  AS AIR MASS HAS
BECOME MDTLY UNSTABLE AND SHEAR REMAINS FAVORABLE FOR
SUPERCELLS...TORNADO THREAT EXPECTED TO INCREASE REMAINDER OF THE
AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION TO A TORNADO POTENTIAL WITH ANY
SUPERCELL...LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS ARE ALSO LIKELY WITH
STRONGEST STORMS.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2.5 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 26035.


...HALES

   MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0163
 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
 1216 PM CST FRI FEB 27 2009

 AREAS AFFECTED...PARTS OF SRN AR....N CNTRL MS INTO W CNTRL AL

 CONCERNING...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 37...

 VALID 271816Z - 271945Z

 THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 37
 CONTINUES.

 TRENDS ARE BEING MONITORED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING
 TORNADIC POTENTIAL...A NEW TORNADO WATCH WILL LIKELY BE ISSUED SOON.

 ATTEMPTS AT DEEP CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT ALONG A LOW-LEVEL CONFLUENT
 ZONE ACROSS SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI INTO WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA HAVE
 BEEN SUPPRESSED BY CAPPING ELEVATED WARM LAYER.  THIS MAY REMAIN THE
 CASE...THOUGH THE MOIST BOUNDARY LAYER CONTINUES TO WARM WITH
 INSOLATION.

 STRONGER STORMS REMAIN FOCUSED ALONG A WEST-NORTHWEST TO EAST-
 SOUTHEAST MID-LEVEL THERMAL GRADIENT AT THE EDGE OF THE WARM
 LAYER...WHERE LOWER/MID TROPOSPHERIC WARM ADVECTION IS CONTRIBUTING
 TO LARGE-SCALE ASCENT.  THE INFLUENCE OF A RESIDUAL STABLE LAYER
 NEAR THE SURFACE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING THE
 SEVERE THREAT BEYOND THE RISK FOR LARGE HAIL...PARTICULARLY IN THE
 NEAR TERM.  HOWEVER...IN RESPONSE TO THE DIGGING UPSTREAM
 TROUGH...THERE HAS BEEN A TENDENCY FOR A NORTHWARD SHIFT OF AN
 ONGOING EVOLVING CONVECTIVE BAND...WITH NEW CELLS DEVELOPING JUST TO
 ITS SOUTH.  AND...THE MODIFICATION OF THE BOUNDARY LAYER WITHIN A
 NEAR SURFACE BAROCLINIC ZONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAIN COOLED AIR MAY
 BE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT INCREASING TORNADIC POTENTIAL THROUGH THE
 AFTERNOON.  MODELS SUGGEST SOME STRENGTHENING OF SOUTHWESTERLY 850
 MB FLOW THROUGH THE AFTERNOON ...WHICH SHOULD YIELD INCREASINGLY
 LARGE CLOCKWISE CURVED LOW-LEVEL HODOGRAPHS THROUGH THE 20-22Z TIME
 FRAME.

 ..KERR.. 02/27/2009

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Shelby, Talladega [AL] till 10:45 AM CST ...AT 1031 AM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HARPERSVILLE...OR ABOUT NEAR CHILDERSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

10:08 Columbus Nexrad

BMX: Chelsea [Shelby Co, AL] nws employee reports TORNADO at 10:10 AM CST -- trees and power lines down in chelsea near post office on us hwy 280. confirmed tornado.

BMX continues Tornado Warning for Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega [AL] till 10:45 AM CST ...AT 1022 AM CST...THE PUBLIC REPORTED A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR HARPERSVILLE...OR ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF CHILDERSBURG...MOVING EAST AT 40 MPH.

John Brown is streaming coverage of this morning's severe weather in Central Alabama.

Free TV : Ustream

8:39 BMX issues Tornado Warning for Pickens [AL] till 9:30 AM CST ...* AT 835 AM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ETHELSVILLE...OR 11 MILES WEST OF REFORM...MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

9:03 BMX: 4 W Hubbertville [Fayette Co, AL] emergency mngr reports TSTM WND DMG at 08:35 AM CST -- trees down on highway 171 near harbin road.

Jason Simpson and James Spann are covering it live here.

...

From left to right: Student Trainee Andrew Pritchett, Lead Forecaster Andy Kula, Morgan County EMA Staffer Rita Weeks, Morgan County EMA Director Eddie Hicks

I really enjoyed the NWS Skywarn Storm Spotter training last night at the Morgan County Courthouse in Decatur, Alabama. Andy Kula, Meteorologist with the NWS Huntsville gave an excellent presentation. It was also nice meeting Andrew Pritchett of the Huntsville office and Eddie Hicks, EMA Director for Morgan County.

---

Tonight The Weather Channel features a story on the Limestone County, Alabama tornadoes of April 3, 1974 at 8 p.m. CT. The Athens News-Courier has carried at least two articles on the subject this week:

Local recollections of 1974 tornadoes to air Wednesday

Local woman recalls '74 tornadoes

---

I am a big fan of the WeatherBrains netcast. This week was especially interesting. Meteorologists Stu Ostro of The Weather Channel and James Spann of Birmingham's ABC 33/40 discussed the issue of anthropogenic global warming. This is definitely worth a listen. James and Stu have opposite views and they both provide non-political and intelligent discussion representing their respective sides of this increasingly controversial issue. I highly recommend setting aside an hour to listen to this episode.

...

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. Please take a few minutes to "brush up" on your severe weather preparedness plans.

The National Weather Service and the Alabama Emergency Management Agencies are providing very good information as we prepare for our main severe weather season in the South.

NWS Huntsville

NWS Birmingham

NWS Mobile

If you want to take it a step further, you can help by becoming a Skywarn storm spotter for the National Weather Service. Training is now being offered in many areas. I have attended training on numerous occasions and I will be doing so again tonight in Decatur, Alabama. If you are in North Alabama, please consider attending one of the sessions mentioned in this link.

...

12:00 Midnight Moderate risk

6:56 Moderate risk

8:21 Temp 59 on the Tenn River.

8:56 Temp 61 now at Blount Cullman line near The Colony.

9:15 Temp 63 at Gardendale-sun peeking out on Fieldstown Rd.

9:39 Thinking of heading toward Shelby/Chilton Co. as of now.

9:40 John - I’m off Finley but heading out soon.

9:40 Mike - Where are you going?

9:41 John - Probably Clanton-ish

9:45 Pit stop at Gardendale...food, gas, tripod, windshield washer

9:46 Sun peaking out 63/62 at Gardendale.

9:50 I am now at 33rd Ave exit in N Bhm.

9:53 Change plans-going w on 59/20 instead of s 65 instab may be enough here and can still go s

9:57 Fred - and it makes sense with where the cloud breaks are on vis sat over MS

10:01 Fred - and we're starting to get an agitated cumulus field in north central Mississippi

10:04 (PERRY CO.): CURRENT: 66 F DP: 60 F

10:07 64/63 at Academy Dr. Bessemer with some sun at times

10:15 Look at latest vis sat....taking shape - E Tuscaloosa County occasional sun and 64

10:30 At Brookwood in Tusc Co had a few sprinkles and 64.

10:43 Fox 6 van just passed me at Mcfarland Blvd on I-20, 66F, some sun

10:54 Crossed over Black Warrior Riv near fosters...sun is frequently peeking out, air is decidedly muggier; almost need the ac in the car 66/63

11:02 - 68/64 at Knoxville, AL.... partly sunny

11:05 - SPC has posted a Public Severe Weather Outlook.

11:13 - Fred - Starting to get radar echoes just west of Winona MS now

11:14 - spc mesoscale discussion 120 for alabama issued My link

11:18 - 68 / 64 at the rest stop in Greene Co on 59/20 near Eutaw

11:21 Fred - Lrg 1000 CAPE band that goes into middle TN from Louisiana

11:22 Fred - and 0- 1 km helicity is still very high from central MS eastward

11:23 At the rest stop in Greene Co, 190 miles from base,off I20/59 - 68/65

11:34 Once I passed Tuscaloosa, sunshine, temperatures, and dew points rose dramatically. It is now 68 with a dewpoint of 65 here in Greene County.

11:35 John - In Calera.

11:40 I'm getting warm and changing into shorts at the rest stop.

11:45 Mike to Skywatchers: Anyone know a place to eat on I5920 in Greene

11:46 Jason - Mike...drawing a blank on that...venture down into Eutaw

11:46 Jason Never really stopped there much, but I bet they've got something good if you'll stop and ask

11:46 Mike Sounds like a plan Jason.... starving

11:47 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): CURRENT: 71 F DP: 62 F

11:51 Mostly sunny in eutaw.... 68/66

11:51 Jason Let me know what you find, Mike!

11:52 John: Mike there is not much down there

11:52 John I got caught in that same position not long ago

1:53 Jason: stop at a gas station and ask them for the best place in town...tell them James Spann sent you

11:53 Jason That'll get you a good spot

11:53 Car thermometer now shows 75 ... feels like it

11:54 Mike I like how u think Jason

11:55 Mike Not too many exits.... had to go clear to Boligee

11:59 Streaming live: http://www.severealabamawx.com/index.php?pr=Live_Chase_Tracker

12:01 John - mike what is your plan...you going miss border and then coming back east later

12:03 Mike staying in Greene atm and will watch radar and decide on going towards demop, greensboiro or tusc

12:04John probably going to make my way toward Marion soon

12:07 John EHI maxed west of you Mike

12:11 John Heading to Centreville for lunch

12:13 In downtown Eutaw for lunch

12:15 Jason John...I recommend Twix & Tween

12:15 Jason pretty good little mustard-base BBQ place

12:15 Jason going to grab some food myself...back shortly

12:43:23 Back from lunch.... did I miss any new watches in the past half hour

12:43:27 BMX issues Tornado Watch for Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Winston [AL] till 8:00 PM CST

12:43:42 Mike Ask and ye shall receive!

12:45 Tornado Watch - Alabama My link

12:46 Very Sunny in Eutaw Mostly sunny.... 73 on the car

12:54 John heading in to twix & tween

12:57 Told Rick I am still in Greene Co.

1:01 Told Rick "patience is a virtue"

1:01 Mike - My best report of the day: Had the lunch special at Mama Leone's in Eutaw. Deep fried pork chop, greasy (but good) turnip greens, rice with gravy, cornbread, apple pie, and sweet tea. Yum!

1:09 Mike - 75 in Knoxville, AL

1:17 I'm in knoxville, sw of tuscaloosa

1:26 John - Jason...great call on lunch

1:26 John - Pie made my day so far

1:29 Mike 79 on my car therm on the greene, tusc line....as i am moving....

1:32 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): CURRENT: 74 F DP: 63 F

1:38 Mike hanging at Fosters for awhile.... nice spot here...... 75

1:45 First Tor Warning - HUN issues Tornado Warning for Marshall [AL] till 2:15 PM CST ...* AT 145 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ARAB... MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

1:46 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): CURRENT: 76 F DP: 64 F PRTLY SUNNY

1:47 HUN issues Tornado Warning for Marshall [AL] till 2:15 PM CST ...* AT 145 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ARAB... MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

2:09 - N4UPD LOOKS LIKE A COUPLE OF STORMS STARTED POPPING OVER IN EAST ms.

2:11 Mike - Dilemma time for me..... chase a dev storm in n tusc or wait for new dev in ms......

2:13 Jenn said "The cell near Forest and Decatur in MS looks ripe."

2:13 Jenn - Storm in N Tusc could be intercepted in Jefferson Co.

2:15 Me - I'm staying put..... i like the one in ms

2:20 Mike Still 75 here on the Fosters exit. I have decided to stay put and see what happens to the west.....

2:21 Mike It's a dilemma

2:35 John: mike where you at in fosters

2:36 Mike I'm on the exit.... on the west side of the interstate there is a dead end with a very good view sw, nw, n, and ne

2:37 John coming to visit mike be there in 15 sec

2:37 Mike cool

3:03 im about to head to tuscaloosa, then possibly south to centreville

3:03 maybe.... i will hold tight a few mins

3:04 Jenn - You'll have to go south to catch our special little cell

3:13 Mike - the special storm is getting worse

3:14 Jenn- I personally think it needs a warning.

3:21 Mike - I'm leaving and going to Tusc, then south on 69

3:22 Jenn - looks like lots of hail with it. Severe warned twice over.

3:23 Mike - John is leaving too

3:24 Jenn - Smart move. You have the biggest cloud tops out there!

3:27 Mike - I want to at least see one storm.

3:30 Mike - turning s at tusc now

3:32 Mike - John and I are headed s on 69 towards greensboro

3:34 Jenn - I really feel like your cell needs a tornado warning. I see some signs of rotation

3:37 Mike - What is the eta for the cell to be in greensboro?

3:39 Jenn - 1/2 hour... 45 minutes, maybe.

3:46 Mike - In Moundville

3:56 Havana Junction in Hale County on Hwy 69

4:08 Mike near greensboro

4:09 Mike bad signal

4:09 ki4mqz mike i would hold up there, that storm will be in your area soon

4:10 Mike ctg lightning in greensboro

4:20 BMX: Gallion [Hale Co, AL] emergency mngr reports HAIL of quarter size (E1.00 INCH) at 04:18 PM CST -- also reported at lock-5 on warrior river

4:23 Mike ctg near marion

4:24:17 BMX issues Tornado Warning for Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry [AL] till 5:15 PM CST ...* AT 419 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF FAUNSDALE...OR 10 MILES EAST OF DEMOPOLIS...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

4:24 WSFA is still reporting of quarter sized hail in the Demopolis storm.

4:33 BMX: Newbern [Hale Co, AL] emergency mngr reports HAIL of golf ball size (E1.75 INCH) at 04:31 PM CST -- covering ground from newbern to gallion.

4:34 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): WE SEE YOU MIKE

4:34 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.) THAT STORM WILL BE SOUTH OF ME4

4:35 Mike John is in front of me on Hwy 5

4:35 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Dallas, Hale, Marengo, Perry [AL] till 5:15 PM CST ...AT 433 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR UNIONTOWN...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

4:37 John - left the room. (Bad Signal)

4:39 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): LIGHT RAIN FALLING W/ LIGHTING

:41 BMX: Faunsdale [Marengo Co, AL] broadcast media reports HAIL of golf ball size (E1.75 INCH) at 04:33 PM CST --

4:46 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): CURRENT: 69 F DP: 63 F

4:50 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): PICKED UP 0.04" SO FAR

4:50 MARION, AL (PERRY CO.): STOPPED RAINING NOW

APPROX 4:40-4:50 Storm video taken netween Marion and Marion Junction on Perry CR 5.

4:52 BMX issues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes, Perry [AL] till 5:30 PM CST ...* AT 447 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR MARION JUNCTION... OR 11 MILES SOUTH OF MARION...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

4:54 Storm is ending - Hail and debris on Perry CR 45

4:54 John entered the room.

454 Mike major hail and wind s of marion

4:56 Hail beside my vehicle

4:55:56) iembot: BMX: 5 S Marion [Perry Co, AL] trained spotter reports HAIL of quarter size (E1.00 INCH) at 04:51 PM CST --

4:57 Mike stuck will report further in a few

5:00 BMX continues Tornado Warning for Autauga, Dallas, Lowndes, Perry [AL] till 5:30 PM CST ...AT 456 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR POTTER STATION...OR ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF SELMA...MOVING EAST AT 60 MPH.

5:18 Mike When the cell came through, John and I were 4.4 miles north of marion junction on cr 5, hail as large as golfballs.... winds were est at over 60..... from every direction, w, n , e

5:20 People in the path of this storm need to take cover!

5:20 Mike We didn't mean to be there and it was frightening

5:35 Mike Cedar tree down beside perry cty rd 45 3.5 mi north of marion junction

5:53 BMX: Linden [Marengo Co, AL] law enforcement reports HAIL of nickel size (E0.88 INCH) at 05:49 PM CST --

Radar images from the National Weather Service

Last week the Birmingham NWS determined that the storm mentioned in my chase acccout was a severe thunderstorm spawned by a long track supercell. Straight line winds topped out between 60 and 70 miles per hour, with hail that was as large as golf ball to baseball-sized in areas.

Please click on the link for maps, radars, photographs, and a complete description of the event.

...

A few photos from the chase.....


Leaving the Fosters, AL Exit on I 20/59 at 3:23 p.m.


Hwy 69 South Tuscaloosa-Moundville Exit at 3:31 p.m.


Havana Junction in Hale County on Hwy 69 at 3:56 p.m.


Hail and debris on Perry CR 45 at 4:54 p.m.


Hail beside my vehicle at 4:56 p.m.


John pulling me onto the road at 5:05 p.m.


Hail and high water at 5:05 p.m.

Here are a few still shots I captured from my video of yesterday's severe storm in Perry County, Alabama.

The NWS Birmingham has conducted a storm survey and confirmed an EF1 tornado in Randolph County of East Alabama.

---

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL1154 AM CST THU FEB 19 2009..

TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION...
...LAT.LON.....DATE... ....MAG....
..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....

0650 PM TORNADO 3 NNE ROCK MILLS 33.19N 85.26W
02/18/2009 F1 RANDOLPH AL

NWS STORM SURVEY

SEVERAL HUNDRED TREES SNAPPED AND TWISTED IN REMOTE AREAS NORTH OF ROCK MILLS NEAR THE GEORGIA STATE LINE. MOSTLY SOFTWOOD. TORNADIC WIND ESTIMATED AT 90 MPH. PATH LENGTH 1 MILE. PATH WIDTH 1/4 MILE. MOST CONCENTRAITED DAMAGE ALONG COUNTY ROAD 296.

...

...from the NWS Birmingham:

AT THIS TIME...STORM SURVEYS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES TODAY:

TEAM ONE: PRIMARY TARGETS...RANDOLPH...CALHOUN AND CLEBURNE. TIME PERMITTING...TALLADEGA AND CLAY.

TEAM TWO: PRIMARY TARGETS...DALLAS...PERRY...AND SUMTER. TIME PERMITTING...GREENE AND HALE.

...

I am almost embarrassed to share this because we made a very poor decision. Here is a video of how NOT to chase a severe thunderstorm. ABC 33/40 Skywatcher John Brown and I experienced this on CR 45 in Perry County yesterday. It is definitely worth sharing for the weather aspect, though. I am no expert and have not seen all of the radar images yet, but we may have been in a broad EF0 tornado. I say that because of the way the wind rapidly changed directions and briefly died down in the middle. We did see a tree down and some limbs down. A power pole was leaning but I don't know if that was from the storm or not. Hail was falling throughout almost the whole video.

I have to give a huge "thank you" to Jennifer and John for their help. Jennifer also blogged about this as it was happening.



Radar captures:


4:48


4:47


4:47


4:43


4:43

(14:48:06) BMX continues Tornado Warning for Calhoun, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega [AL] till 3:30 PM CST ...AT 243 PM CST...TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD. THIS FEATURE WAS LOCATED NEAR CENTER POINT...OR ABOUT NEAR TRUSSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

(14:54:58) iembot: BMX continues Tornado Warning for Calhoun, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega [AL] till 3:30 PM CST ...AT 251 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR TRUSSVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH.

(14:55:32) BMX: Tarrant [Jefferson Co, AL] emergency mngr reports FUNNEL CLOUD at 02:45 PM CST -- funnel cloud reported at pine hill road and highway 79.

(14:55:33) BMX: 9 Nne Gaylesville [Cherokee Co, AL] emergency mngr reports HAIL of nickel size (E0.88 INCH) at 02:45 PM CST -- nickel size hail reported in broomtown.

(14:55:33)BMX: 6 N Gaylesville [Cherokee Co, AL] amateur radio reports TSTM WND DMG at 02:45 PM CST -- trees down along highway 35 in watson.

(15:04:20) iembot: BMX continues Tornado Warning for Calhoun, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega [AL] till 3:30 PM CST ...AT 300 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO INDICATE A POSSIBLE TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR BALD ROCK...OR ABOUT NEAR MOODY...MOVING EAST AT 45 MPH. LARGE HAIL HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED WITH THIS STORM.
...

(14:13:21) HUN issues Tornado Warning for DeKalb, Marshall [AL] till 2:45 PM CST ...* AT 212 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR HYATT... OR ABOUT 7 MILES EAST OF ARAB...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. ANOTHER STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED JUST EAST OF GUNTERSVILLE...ALSO MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

(14:23:07) HUN continues Tornado Warning for DeKalb, Marshall [AL] till 2:45 PM CST ...AT 219 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO INDICATE A TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR RABBIT TOWN...OR ABOUT 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF ALBERTVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

...

1:45 Hytop


1:48 Columbus, MS

(13:47:05) HUN issues Tornado Warning for Marshall [AL] till 2:15 PM CST ...* AT 145 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ARAB... MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

...

1:30 p.m. Columbus Nexrad

(13:13:40) HUN issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cullman, Marshall, Morgan [AL] till 1:45 PM CST

(13:45:16) HUN issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cullman, Marshall, Morgan [AL] till 2:30 PM CST

...

 
 URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
 TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 24
 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
 1245 PM CST WED FEB 18 2009

 THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
 TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

        MUCH OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA
        PARTS OF NORTHWEST GEORGIA
        PARTS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN MISSISSIPPI

 EFFECTIVE THIS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 1245 PM UNTIL
 800 PM CST.

 TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND
 GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE
 AREAS.

 THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 110 STATUTE
 MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 55 MILES EAST NORTHEAST OF
 HUNTSVILLE ALABAMA TO 15 MILES SOUTH OF MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI.
 FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH
 OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).

 REMEMBER...A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR
 TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
 AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
 THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
 AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.

 OTHER WATCH INFORMATION...CONTINUE...WW 23...

 DISCUSSION...AIR MASS HAS CONTINUED TO DESTABILIZE ACROSS THE WATCH
 AREA AND 18Z SOUNDINGS AT JAN/BHM INDICATE STRONG SHEAR AND
 INSTABILITY IN PLACE TO SUPPORT SUPERCELL DEVELOPMENT.  STORMS WILL
 INCREASE IN NUMBER AND INTENSITY EWD ACROSS THE WATCH WITH
 SUPERCELLS ALONG WITH A TORNADO THREAT EXPECTED.  STORMS WILL EVOLVE
 ALSO INTO SHORT LINE SEGMENTS DURING AFTERNOON INCREASING THE WIND
 DAMAGE THREAT UNDER A VERY STRONG WIND PROFILE.

 AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
 SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 2.5 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
 WIND GUSTS TO 70 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
 450. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 26045.


 ...HALES

Mama Leone's



Had the lunch special at Mama Leone's. Deep fried pork chop, greasy (but good) turnip greens, rice with gravy, cornbread, apple pie, and sweet tea. Yum!

At 11:23 I am at the rest stop in Greene County, 190 miles from base, just off I20/59. Once I passed Tuscaloosa, sunshine, temperatures, and dew points rose dramatically. It is now 68 with a dewpoint of 65 here in Greene County. Receiving great support from my friends Jennifer as always and from Fred Gossage, who is feeding me great weather data today:

that's a solid large 1000 CAPE tongue that goes well up into middle TN....

CAPE is already much more widespread than had been expected	11:22 AM
and 0-1 km helicity is still very high from central MS eastward	11:22 AM
http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/s1/laps.gif	11:22 AM
mid-level lapse rates of 7 to 8 will be advecting in here this afternoon	11:22 AM
according to that	11:22 AM
http://w1.spc.woc.noaa.gov/exper/mesoanalysis/s1/lr3c.gif	11: 23 AM

   MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0120
 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
 1114 AM CST WED FEB 18 2009

 AREAS AFFECTED...PORTIONS OF NERN AND CNTRL MS INTO NWRN AND W-CNTRL
 AL

 CONCERNING...SEVERE POTENTIAL...WATCH POSSIBLE

 VALID 181714Z - 181845Z

 THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE STORMS CAPABLE OF LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING
 WINDS AND PERHAPS A FEW TORNADOES IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS
 AFTERNOON.  CONVECTIVE TRENDS ARE BEING MONITORED FOR A POSSIBLE WW.

 LATEST TRENDS IN VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGERY INDICATE DEEPENING
 CUMULUS BANDS ORIENTED WSW-ENE WITHIN PRE-FRONTAL WARM SECTOR FROM W
 OF THE I-65 CORRIDOR IN MIDDLE TN SWWD INTO CNTRL MS.  WHILE
 BOUNDARY LAYER IS NOT OVERLY MOIST /DEWPOINTS IN THE UPPER 50S TO
 LOWER 60S/...STRONG DAYTIME HEATING IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE
 DEVELOPMENT OF STEEP LOW-LEVEL LAPSE RATES AND RESULTANT MLCAPE OF
 AROUND 500 J/KG.  OF CONCERN TO STORM INITIATION ARE: 1/ WEAK
 CONVERGENCE ALONG COLD FRONT...AND 2/ INFERRED MIDLEVEL SUBSIDENCE
 AND RESULTING POOR MIDLEVEL LAPSE RATES PER WATER VAPOR IMAGERY AND
 RUC OBJECTIVE FIELDS.  THUS...CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY EXISTS WITH
 REGARD TO THE TIMING AND LOCATION OF ANY ADDITIONAL STORM
 DEVELOPMENT TO THE S OF ONGOING STORMS OVER S-CNTRL KY INTO MIDDLE
 TN.

 ONCE STORMS DEVELOP AND BECOME SUSTAINED...THE PRESENCE OF 60-70 KT
 DEEP LAYER SHEAR AND LONG...STRAIGHT HODOGRAPHS WILL SUPPORT
 SUPERCELL DEVELOPMENT /SOME SPLITTING/ WITH THE THREAT FOR DAMAGING
 WINDS...LARGE HAIL AND PERHAPS A FEW TORNADOES.

 ..MEAD.. 02/18/2009

64 degrees in E Tuscaloosa County at 10:15 with occasional sun.