Mike Wilhelm's Alabama Weather Blog

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Bamawx.com

12:51 p.m.


1:24 p.m.


1:28 p.m.

2:52 p.m.


3:02 p.m.


3:31 p.m.


2:58 p.m.

12:56 p.m. near Decatur, Alabama

Meteorologist Tim Simpson of WREG in Memphis wrote a really nice tribute about one of my favorite weather people of all time, H.D. Bagley. He was indeed a prince of a man. I recently wrote about and posted some articles, videos, and photos of Mr. Bagley as well here.

03:40 PM CDT -- Report of utility poles down at the intersection of County Road 72 and County Road 50 near Fyffe.



03:57 PM CDT -- Report of numerous trees down in the city of Rainsville.


04:40 PM CDT -- Report of a tree down on County Road 52 near Peeks Corner.

I took three pictures of a thunderstorm in Dekalb County in northeastern Alabama this afternoon from vantage points of 50 statute miles to the west in Morgan and northern Cullman County.

Each picture below will have a corresponding radar image from the Hytop Nexrad.


4:22 p.m. view from Priceville


4:23 Hytop Nexrad image


4:35 view from Falkville


4:37 Hytop Nexrad image


4:43 view from Vinemont


4:41 Hytop Nexrad image

After a few weeks of less weather blogging I am back at it today. There was a lot of fog this morning as I drove to work traveling on Interstate 65 between Cullman and Decatur. Recent rainfall totals have been impressive in some areas making the soil moisture levels higher than we have seen in recent summers. I returned home Friday and had 4.70" of rain in my CoCoRaHS rain gauge that fell between July 10 and 25th. That does not count what may have evaporated. On Saturday we received an additional 2.07 inches.

The increased soil moisture will likely keep temperatures from rising into the triple digits but the humidity values will be higher. That will make for some typical uncomfortable late July weather in Alabama this week. Scattered showers are possible every day. Showers will be more numerous near the coast and near any mesoscale convective complex that may travel through the state in the northwest flow aloft.

One interesting feature to watch today will be the remnants of yesterday's MCS that travelled from Memphis through Mississsippi and into the Gulf. Tim Coleman at Alabamawx.com pointed out that the NAM model is trying to develop a tropical system out of this in the northern Gulf. It still looks like a long shot at this time but stranger things have happened.

NASA QuikSCAT satellite taken at 7:24 p.m. CDT July 22, 2008

Thank you to Sharp for sharing the link to this.

4:52


5:55


6:40

AS OF 4 PM TODAY:
* Brownsville…heavy rain, wind SW 38, gusts 60
* Buoy 35 miles NE Port Mansfield - 24 foot waves

LATEST ADVISORY
BULLETIN
HURRICANE DOLLY ADVISORY NUMBER 14
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042008
400 PM CDT WED JUL 23 2008

…DOLLY CONTINUES TO WEAKEN AS IT MOVES FARTHER INLAND…

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF TEXAS FROM
BROWNSVILLE TO JUST SOUTH OF BAFFIN BAY…AND FOR THE NORTHEASTERN
COAST OF MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE BORDER
BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE
AND PROPERTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

AT 4 PM CDT…2100 UTC…THE HURRICANE WARNING FROM BAFFIN BAY
NORTHWARD TO CORPUS CHRISTI HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A TROPICAL STORM
WARNING. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM BAFFIN BAY
TO PORT O’CONNOR.

AT 4 PM CDT…2100 UTC…THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND HURRICANE
WATCH FROM LA PESCA TO SOUTH OF RIO SAN FERNANDO HAVE BEEN
DISCONTINUED.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 400 PM CDT…2100Z…THE EYE OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 26.6 NORTH…LONGITUDE 97.6 WEST OR ABOUT 50 MILES…
80 KM…NORTH OF BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

DOLLY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 8 MPH…13 KM/HR. A
GRADUAL TURN TO THE WEST-NORTHWEST AND WEST IS EXPECTED DURING THE
NEXT DAY OR SO. THIS WILL BRING DOLLY FARTHER INLAND OVER SOUTHER
TEXAS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE DECREASED TO NEAR 85 MPH…140
KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. DOLLY IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. FURTHER WEAKENING IS FORECAST DURING THE
NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 35 MILES…55 KM…FROM
THE CENTER…AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140
MILES…220 KM.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 970 MB…28.64 INCHES.

DOLLY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12
INCHES…WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES…OVER PORTIONS OF
SOUTH TEXAS AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
THESE RAINS WILL LIKELY CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS
OF SOUTH TEXAS AND NORTHEAST MEXICO.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING UP TO 6 TO 8 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS…ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES WILL
CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS IN AREAS OF ONSHORE FLOW BUT WILL
SUBSIDE LATER TONIGHT.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS TODAY
AND TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 400 PM CDT POSITION…26.6 N…97.6 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHWEST NEAR 8 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…85 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…970 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 700 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 1000
PM CDT.

$$
FORECASTER AVILA

12:55


1:24

HURRICANE DOLLY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER  13A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL042008
1200 PM CDT WED JUL 23 2008

...DOLLY HESITATES...EYEWALL OF DOLLY CROSSING SOUTH PADRE ISLAND...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF TEXAS FROM
BROWNSVILLE TO CORPUS CHRISTI...AND FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF
MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO
AND THE UNITED STATES.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NORTH OF CORPUS
CHRISTI TO PORT O'CONNOR.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM LA
PESCA TO SOUTH OF RIO SAN FERNANDO.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 1200 PM CDT...1700Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 26.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE 97.0 WEST OR ABOUT 35 MILES...
60 KM...NORTHEAST OF BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

DOLLY HAS BEEN MEANDERING FOR THE PAST HOUR OR SO BUT IT SHOULD
BEGIN TO MOVE TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH...11 KM/HR SOON. 
ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE EYE OF HURRICANE DOLLY WILL BE CROSSING
THE COAST ALONG THE SOUTHERN TEXAS COAST IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.
PERSONS ARE ADVISED NOT TO VENTURE OUTDOORS DURING THE RELATIVE
CALM OF THE EYE BECAUSE WINDS WILL SOON INCREASE QUITE RAPIDLY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 100 MPH...160 KM/HR...WITH
HIGHER GUSTS.  DOLLY IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. STRONGER WINDS...ESPECIALLY IN GUSTS...ARE
LIKELY ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN STRENGTH 
IS EXPECTED BEFORE LANDFALL WITH A GRADUAL WEAKENING THEREAFTER.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES...35 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140
MILES...220 KM. PORT ISABEL AIRPORT JUST MEASURED 58 MPH...92 KM/HR
SUSTAINED WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 70 MPH...113 KM/HR. 

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE
PLANE WAS IS 967 MB...28.56 INCHES.

DOLLY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12
INCHES...WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES...OVER PORTIONS OF
SOUTH TEXAS AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  THESE
RAINS WILL LIKELY CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS OF
SOUTH TEXAS AND NORTHEAST MEXICO.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 8 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE
EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS TODAY
AND TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 1200 PM CDT POSITION...26.2 N...97.0 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...967 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 200 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 400
PM CDT.

$$
FORECASTER AVILA

12:05 p.m. CT


From WeatherUnderground

11:25 a.m. CT

South Padre - flooding, power out on entire island, damage to condo, minor wind damage in Brownsville.

10:40 a.m.

Winds have gusted between 60 and 70 mph in Brownsville with over 2 inches of rain. Power is out at South Padre Is. and beach is eroding.

10:23

BULLETIN
HURRICANE DOLLY ADVISORY NUMBER  13
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL042008
1000 AM CDT WED JUL 23 2008

...DOLLY VERY NEAR THE TEXAS COAST WITH 100 MPH WINDS...EYE SHOULD
CROSS THE COAST IN A FEW HOURS...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF TEXAS FROM
BROWNSVILLE TO CORPUS CHRISTI...AND FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF
MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO
AND THE UNITED STATES.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

AT 10 AM CDT...1500 UTC...THE TROPICAL STORM WARNING NORTH OF PORT
O'CONNOR HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.  A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN
EFFECT FROM NORTH OF CORPUS CHRISTI TO PORT O'CONNOR.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM LA
PESCA TO SOUTH OF RIO SAN FERNANDO.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 1000 AM CDT...1500Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED
BY RADAR AND A RECONNAISSANCE PLANE NEAR LATITUDE 26.0 NORTH...
LONGITUDE 97.0 WEST OR ABOUT 30 MILES...50 KM... EAST-NORTHEAST OF
BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

DOLLY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH...11 KM/HR.
A WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION WITH A SLIGHT DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED
IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE EYE OF
HURRICANE DOLLY WILL BE CROSSING THE COAST NEAR THE TEXAS/MEXICO
BORDER IN A FEW HOURS. PERSONS ARE ADVISED NOT TO VENTURE OUTDOORS
DURING THE RELATIVE CALM OF THE EYE BECAUSE WINDS WILL SOON
INCREASE QUITE RAPIDLY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 100 MPH...160
KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  DOLLY IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. STRONGER WINDS...ESPECIALLY IN
GUSTS...ARE LIKELY ON HIGH RISE BUILDINGS. SOME ADDITIONAL
STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE BEFORE LANDFALL.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES...35 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140
MILES...220 KM. PORT ISABEL AIRPORT JUST MEASURED 54 MPH...87 KM/HR
SUSTAINED WINDS WITH GUSTS TO 70 MPH...113 KM/HR. AN UNOFFICIAL
OBSERVER JUST EAST OF MATAMOROS MEXICO REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF
65 MPH...105 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 119 MPH...192 KM/HR.  

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE
PLANE WAS IS 964 MB...28.47 INCHES.

DOLLY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10
INCHES...WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  THESE RAINS
WILL LIKELY CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEAST MEXICO.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 8 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE
EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS TODAY
AND TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 1000 AM CDT POSITION...26.0 N...97.0 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD...NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...100 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...964 MB.

INTERMEDIATE ADVISORIES WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 1200 PM CDT AND 200 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE
ADVISORY AT 400 PM CDT.

$$
FORECASTER AVILA

Dolly now officially at Cat 2. Dolly has 100 mph max sustained winds winds; tornado warning continues for Nueces County - Corpus Christi, TX.

8:45 a.m.


8:58


9:55 a.m.

BULLETIN
HURRICANE DOLLY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER  12B
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL042008
800 AM CDT WED JUL 23 2008

...DOLLY STRENGTHENING AS IT APPROACHES THE SOUTHERN TEXAS COAST...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF TEXAS FROM
BROWNSVILLE TO CORPUS CHRISTI...AND FOR THE NORTHEASTERN COAST OF
MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO
AND THE UNITED STATES.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NORTH OF CORPUS
CHRISTI TO SAN LUIS PASS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FROM LA
PESCA TO SOUTH OF RIO SAN FERNANDO.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 800 AM CDT...1300Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 25.9 NORTH...LONGITUDE 96.9 WEST OR ABOUT 40 MILES...
60 KM...EAST OF BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

DOLLY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 8 MPH...13 KM/HR...AND
NORTHWESTWARD TO WEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION WITH A SLIGHT DECREASE
IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TODAY.  ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE
CENTER OF DOLLY WILL BE ALONG THE COAST NEAR THE TEXAS/MEXICO
BORDER AROUND MIDDAY TODAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 95 MPH...155
KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS.  DOLLY IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE.  SOME INCREASE IN STRENGTH IS
EXPECTED...AND DOLLY COULD APPROACH CATEGORY TWO INTENSITY WHEN IT
REACHES THE COASTLINE LATER TODAY.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES...35 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140
MILES...220 KM. PORT ISABEL ON THE SOUTHERN TEXAS COAST JUST
REPORTED A WIND GUST TO 72 MPH...116 KM/HR AND MATAMOROS MEXICO
REPORTED GUSTS TO 55 MPH...89 KM/HR.

AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT RECENTLY
REPORTED A MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE OF 967 MB...28.56 INCHES.

DOLLY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10
INCHES...WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES...OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.  THESE RAINS
WILL LIKELY CAUSE WIDESPREAD FLOODING ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEAST MEXICO.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE
EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL.

ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTH TEXAS TODAY
AND TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 800 AM CDT POSITION...25.9 N...96.9 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD...NORTHWEST NEAR 8 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...95 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...967 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT
1000 AM CDT.

BULLETIN
HURRICANE DOLLY ADVISORY NUMBER 10
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042008
400 PM CDT TUE JUL 22 2008

…DOLLY BECOMES A HURRICANE…THE SECOND OF THE 2008 HURRICANE
SEASON…

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF TEXAS FROM
BROWNSVILLE TO CORPUS CHRISTI…AND FOR THE NORTHEAST COAST OF
MEXICO FROM RIO SAN FERNANDO NORTHWARD TO THE BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO
AND THE UNITED STATES. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY
SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NORTH OF CORPUS
CHRISTI TO SAN LUIS PASS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM LA
PESCA TO SOUTH OF RIO SAN FERNANDO.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA…INCLUDING POSSIBLE
INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS…PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED
BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 400 PM CDT…2100Z…THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DOLLY WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 24.6 NORTH…LONGITUDE 95.3 WEST OR ABOUT 165 MILES…
265 KM…EAST-SOUTHEAST OF BROWNSVILLE TEXAS.

DOLLY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 10 MPH…17 KM/HR.
THIS MOTION SHOULD BRING THE CORE OF DOLLY NEAR NORTHEASTERN MEXICO
OR EXTREME SOUTHERN TEXAS ON WEDNESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 75 MPH…120
KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. DOLLY IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST BEFORE
LANDFALL.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 15 MILES…30 KM…FROM
THE CENTER…AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 160
MILES…260 KM. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS SHOULD BEGIN TO REACH
THE COASTS OF NORTHEAST MEXICO AND SOUTHERN TEXAS LATER TONIGHT.

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY A HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS
986 MB…29.12 INCHES.

DOLLY IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10
INCHES…WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES…OVER MUCH OF SOUTH
TEXAS AND NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS…ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES…CAN BE
EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL.

A FEW TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT ACROSS THE LOWER AND MIDDLE
TEXAS COASTS.

REPEATING THE 400 PM CDT POSITION…24.6 N…95.3 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD…NORTHWEST NEAR 10 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…75 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…986 MB.

AN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE
CENTER AT 700 PM CDT FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY AT 1000
PM CDT.

$$
FORECASTER AVILA

Severe wind reported by the NWS in Etowah, Madison, Lee, and Morgan counties. Severe hail reported by the NWS in Jefferson, Lawrence, Shelby, and Chambers so far this afternoon.

2:15 VIL - Hytop Nexrad


2:15 VIL - Columbus, MS Nexrad

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
221 PM CDT TUE JUL 22 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHERN MADISON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 300 PM CDT

* AT 221 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES
EAST OF HUNTSVILLE...AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 10 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
HUNTSVILLE...
OWENS CROSSROADS...
GURLEY...
NEW HOPE...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE.

2:02 p.m.


2:02 VIL

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
156 PM CDT TUE JUL 22 2008

ALC089-221930-
/O.CON.KHUN.SV.W.0163.000000T0000Z-080722T1930Z/
MADISON AL-
156 PM CDT TUE JUL 22 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL MADISON COUNTY...

AT 156 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS
LOCATED NEAR MERIDIANVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO NORMAL
AND MOORES MILL.

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE.

1:37 p.m.


1:37 VIL


1:41 p.m. VIL has really increased rapidly in Morgan County...

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
137 PM CDT TUE JUL 22 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
MORGAN COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 215 PM CDT

* AT 132 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
SEVERAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE   
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THE FIRST STORM
WAS LOCATED NEAR SOMERVILLE...MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH. ANOTHER   
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 2 MILES SOUTH OF FLINT CITY...ALSO
MOVING EAST AT 25 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
SOMERVILLE...
PRICEVILLE...
HARTSELLE...
MORGAN CITY...
VALHERMOSO SPRINGS...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE.

1:33 p.m.

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
129 PM CDT TUE JUL 22 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
NORTHERN CULLMAN COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 200 PM CDT

* AT 129 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL...AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES
NORTHWEST OF CULLMAN...AND MOVING EAST AT 16 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
BATTLEGROUND...
VINEMONT...
CULLMAN...
FAIRVIEW...

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT
TUESDAY EVENING FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA AND CENTRAL TENNESSEE.

I had the usual hot weather for my birthday yesterday. The last two days in Alabama have been hot. Sunday temperatures ranged from 97 to 101 in most areas.

Monday's highs:

Muscle Shoals 103
Huntsville 102
Tuscaloosa 102
Andalusia-Opp 100
Decatur 100
Gadsden 100
Troy 100
Haleyville 100

The 4 a.m advisory from the NHC has Dolly with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and minimum central pressure of 997 mb.

Hurricane warnings are in effect from Brownsville to Port O'Connor in Texas.

Conditions are favorable for development this morning. In addition, once the eye structure becomes better organized, rapid intensification would be possible. However, by the time this is possible, Dolly will be close to or making landfall.

Tropical storm Dolly is passing over the Yucatan peninsula and is headed for the very warm waters of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. As of 4 a.m. Central Time today, maximum sustained winds were 50 miles per hour.

The National Weather Service Tropical Prediction Center expects Dolly to become a hurricane by tomorrow afternoon. Their projected track has Dolly making landfall around south Texas or northeastern Mexico overnight on Wednesday.

I am very concerned that this storm may strengthen rapidly once it passes over the warm Gulf waters and that it might pose a major threat to the area around Brownsville, Texas.

Stay tuned.

Parts of Alabama had temperatures in triple digits today and the heat will continue tomorrow. The NWS has issued the following advisory:


HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 12 PM TO 8 PM CDT MONDAY
UNTIL 6:00AM CDT
Urgent - Weather Message National Weather Service Huntsville AL 323 PM CDT Sun Jul 20 2008

...A Heat Advisory Is In Effect From Monday Afternoon Into Early Monday Evening For The Tennessee Valley...

.High Pressure At The Surface And Aloft Will Create Stagnant Conditions Along With Very Hot Temperatures Across Northern Alabama And Southern Middle Tennessee. The Very Hot Temperatures...Coupled With A Moist Atmosphere And Light Winds Will Create Potentially Dangerous Heat Stress Conditions Across The Area Monday Afternoon.



Lauderdale-Colbert-Franklin AL-Lawrence-Limestone-Madison-Morgan- Marshall-Jackson-De Kalb-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 323 PM CDT Sun Jul 20 2008

...Heat Advisory In Effect From 12 PM To 8 PM CDT Monday...

The National Weather Service In Huntsville Has Issued A Heat Advisory...Which Is In Effect From 12 PM To 8 PM CDT Monday.

Stagnant High Pressure Over The Southern States...And Warm Air Aloft Will Help Create Hot Conditions Across The Tennessee Valley On Monday. High Temperatures During Monday Will Range Upwards To 102...With Corresponding Heat Indices Ranging From 103 To 110. The Hottest Readings Are Expected Across Northwest Alabama.

Similar Conditions Are Expected On Tuesday...With High Temperatures Across Much Of The Area Nearing 100 Degrees. Heat Indices Values Will Range From 101 To 108...With Near 110 Possible Over Far Northwest Alabama.

A Heat Advisory Means That Heat Indices Will Range From 105 To 110 Degrees. The Combination Of Hot Temperatures And High Humidity Will Combine To Create A Situation In Which Heat Illnesses Are Possible. Drink Plenty Of Fluids...Stay In An Air-Conditioned Room...Stay Out Of The Sun...And Check Up On Relatives And Neighbors.

I am very busy with my boys this week so I haven't had as much time for updates here. The last two days we have experienced severe clear conditions and check out the lows for 7/15/08 that were posted by J.B. Elliott:

54 Broomtown (Cherokee County)
55 Hamilton, Fort Payne Airport, Cottondale
56 Moulton, Muscadine
57 McCalla, Hanceville, Cullman Airport located near Vinemont
58 Sylacauga, Dearmanville, Scottsboro, Vigo, Owens Crossroads, Decatur, Muscle Shoals, Concord/Hueytown
59 Centreville, Talladega, Gaylesville, Russell Cave, Hamilton, Anniston Airport, Huntsville, Pinson, Crossville, Alabaster/Navajo Pines

Now weather eyes turn to the eastern side of the Gulf of Mexico. There a potential source of rain for the Southeast US is brewing. The NAM model is hinting at possible tropical development. Most likely the center will remain inland, which would either eliminate the chance of this. Either way, parts of the Southeast may see some beneficial rain.

I hope you can get out and have a great day!

4:48


4:52


4:52

The storm that travelled down the Madison-Limestone line strengthened further as it moved into Morgan. The Talucah and Valhermoso Springs communities likely had severe hail between 4:45 and 5:00.

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
446 PM CDT SAT JUL 12 2008

ALC083-089-122156-
/O.CAN.KHUN.SV.W.0156.000000T0000Z-080712T2200Z/
LIMESTONE AL-MADISON AL-
446 PM CDT SAT JUL 12 2008

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN MADISON AND
SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE COUNTIES IS CANCELED...

THE SEVERE STORM HAS MOVED ACROSS THE TENNESSEE RIVER. SOME LIGHT TO
MODERATE RAIN...AND CONTINUED CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING...WILL
CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR OR SO...BUT SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT
ANTICIPATED.

LAT...LON 3455 8654 3448 8657 3449 8683 3454 8681
    3456 8674 3458 8673 3459 8668 3455 8665
    3456 8663 3459 8660
TIME...MOT...LOC 2146Z 350DEG 10KT 3457 8672 3449 8660

$$

ALC103-122200-
/O.CON.KHUN.SV.W.0156.000000T0000Z-080712T2200Z/
MORGAN AL-
446 PM CDT SAT JUL 12 2008

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 PM CDT
FOR NORTHEASTERN MORGAN COUNTY...

AT 446 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE
EXTENDING FROM 6 MILES NORTH OF VALHERMOSO SPRINGS TO LACEYS
SPRING...MOVING SOUTH AT 10 MPH.

LOCATIONS IN THE PATH INCLUDE...LACEYS SPRING...VALHERMOSO
SPRINGS...UNION HILL...MORGAN CITY.

INTENSE LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IF
POSSIBLE. IF OUTDOORS...STAY AWAY FROM METAL FENCES AND HIGH OBJECTS
SUCH AS TREES. AVOID USING TELEPHONES UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

Looks like the storm with high VIL values travelled south along the Madison-Limestone line, from just North of US 72 at 3:15 and as of 4:35 it is cossing into Morgan Co nearTriana.

3:49 VIL


3:50

Lightning is also frequent in Huntsville and power went out briefly here.

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
349 PM CDT SAT JUL 12 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...
WEST CENTRAL MADISON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...

* UNTIL 415 PM CDT

* AT 349 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE
HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE
LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM MADISON TO HUNTSVILLE...AND
MOVING SOUTH AT 10 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...
HUNTSVILLE...
MADISON...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...LARGE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER...
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS
IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.
REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

LAT...LON 3457 8653 3457 8657 3459 8660 3457 8662
    3457 8667 3459 8669 3457 8674 3458 8689
    3476 8685 3476 8654
TIME...MOT...LOC 2049Z 000DEG 8KT 3469 8684 3469 8658

$$

KDW

12:15 p.m. Huntsville


1:00 p.m.