Thursday, December 24, 2009

Squall Line





At 7:50 the squall line extends from just west of Florence - Russelville - Phil Campbell - Hayleyville - Nauvoo - Parish - to Vance. Highest winds seem to be moving through northern Walker and western Winston counties.

New Discussion From SPC

MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 2285
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0114 PM CST THU DEC 24 2009

AREAS AFFECTED...CENTRAL/SRN MS...FAR SERN LA AND FAR SWRN AL

CONCERNING...TORNADO WATCH 808...

VALID 241914Z - 242015Z

THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT FOR TORNADO WATCH 808 CONTINUES.

EARLY AFTERNOON SURFACE ANALYSIS INDICATED A DEEPENING AREA OF LOW
PRESSURE OVER SERN OK WITH A COLD FRONT EXTENDING SSEWD THROUGH SWRN
AR AND INTO WRN LA. A WARM FRONT EXTENDED SEWD FROM THE LOW INTO
NERN LA...SWRN MS TO SERN MS AND OFFSHORE OF THE WRN FL PANHANDLE.

SQUALL LINE EXTENDING FROM SERN LA NWWD THROUGH NEW ORLEANS INTO
SWRN MS IS MOVING EWD AT 25-30 KT AND WILL CONTINUE TO OVERTAKE THE
WARM SECTOR ACROSS FAR SERN LA INTO SOUTH CENTRAL/SERN MS THIS
AFTERNOON. THE SPEED OF THE SQUALL LINE IS FASTER THAN THE WARM
SECTOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO ADVANCE INLAND THUS FAR ACROSS SERN MS.
SOME BOUNDARY LAYER MODIFICATION /MOISTENING AND WARMING/ INTO SERN
MS/FAR SWRN AL IS EXPECTED YET THIS AFTERNOON...GIVEN SOME RECENT
DECREASE IN CLOUDS PER VISIBLE IMAGERY. THIS SUGGESTS THE SRN THIRD
TO ONE HALF OF WW 808 SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY TORNADO THREAT AREA
THROUGH MID-LATE AFTERNOON.

DESPITE WEAK INSTABILITY...EFFECTIVE BULK SHEAR /40-50 KT/ AND
EFFECTIVE SRH /200-400 M2/S2/ SUGGEST A TORNADO OR TWO REMAINS
POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WARM SECTOR. ADDITIONAL THREAT FOR
STRONG/DAMAGING WINDS IS EXPECTED ACROSS ALL OF WW 808...ESPECIALLY
WITH ANY BOWING STRUCTURES...AS DOWNDRAFTS TRANSPORT HIGH MOMENTUM
AIR /60-70 KT SLY LLJ WHICH EXTENDED FROM SERN LA INTO MS/ TO THE
SURFACE.

..PETERS.. 12/24/2009


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Discussion NWS Huntsville

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1145 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009

.UPDATE...TO UPGRADE TO HIGH WIND WARNING AND 18Z AVIATION DISCUSSION.
&&

.DISCUSSION...
POTENT UPPER TROF IS DEEPENING OVER N TX WITH THE FIRST OF TWO DRY
SLOTS IDENTIFIED ON WATER VAPOR NOW FOLLOWING BEHIND THE
CONVECTION IN WRN LA. AS THE TROF PIVOTS NE AND BECOMES NEGATIVELY
TILTED...UPPER DIVERGENCE WILL INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE
REGION...ALLOW FOR AGEO-STROPHIC ACCELERATIONS IN LOW LEVELS TO
ENHANCE GRADIENT WINDS. SFC GEOSTROPHIC FLOW IS ALREADY AT 55KT AS
OF 15Z IN N AL. THE 12Z NAM HAS ACCELERATED THE LLJ AT 850 MB TO
85KT BTWN 00-03Z. THERE IS A STRONG ISALLOBARIC COUPLET FORECAST
TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SQUALL LINE AS WELL. ALTHOUGH CRITERIA
MAY FALL SHY IN SOME AREAS...WE FEEL IT IS PRUDENT TO UPGRADE TO
A HIGH WIND WARNING WITH GUSTS OVER OPEN WATER AND HIGHER TERRAIN
TO REACH 55 MPH OR HIGHER. GIVEN WET SOILS BECOMING MORE
SATURATED THIS EVENING...THE THREAT OF DOWNED TREES AND POWER
LINES WILL BE HIGH...MAKING HOLIDAY TRAVEL HAZARDOUS. NO OTHER MAJOR
CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. WE WILL MONITOR
MOISTURE/INSTABILITY RETURN THIS AFTERNOON IN A NARROW CORRIDOR
AHEAD OF THE SQUALL LINE. GIVEN STRONG 0-1KM SHEAR/SRH...THE
THREAT OF MESO-VORTICES/BRIEF TORNADO THREAT CANNOT BE RULED OUT TOTALLY.
&&
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

High Wind Warning - NWS Huntsville

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL954 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009 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…WINCHESTER954 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009 …HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CST FRIDAY… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A HIGH WINDWARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM CST FRIDAY. THIS IS ANUPGRADE FROM THE PREVIOUS WIND ADVISORY. STRONG SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE INTO THE 30 TO 40 MPHRANGE BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING…WITH GUSTS OVER 55 MPHPOSSIBLE AT TIMES. THE HIGHEST GUSTS WILL OCCUR OVER THE HIGHERTERRAIN AND NEAR OPEN WATER. A PERIOD OF ENHANCED DAMAGING WINDS IS ALSO POSSIBLE AS A LINE OFSHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVES THROUGH THIS EVENING. THE THREAT OF DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES WILL BECOME HIGHER ASRAINFALL FURTHER SATURATES ALREADY WET SOILS. MOTORISTS HEADINGOUT THIS AFTERNOON OR EVENING FOR HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES SHOULD REMAINWEATHER AWARE…AND KEEP A FIRM GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTEDOR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTSOF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

NWS Huntsville Watches/Warnings/Advisories for North Alabama

HUN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 2 AM CST FRIDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONES:
COLBERT...CULLMAN...DEKALB...FRANKLIN AL...JACKSON...
LAUDERDALE...LAWRENCE...LIMESTONE...MADISON...MARSHALL...
MORGAN.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM NOON CST TODAY THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR THE
FOLLOWING ZONES: COLBERT...CULLMAN...DEKALB...FRANKLIN AL...
JACKSON...LAUDERDALE...LAWRENCE...LIMESTONE...MADISON...
MARSHALL...MORGAN.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Indoor Temperature Preferences

I conducted an unscientific survey of preferred indoor temperatures on my personal Facebook page. The numbers show that the overall average daytime indoor preference among the 35 participants was approximately 70.21. The 19 females averaged 70.45 and the 16 males averaged 69.94. I threw out the night time preferences, averaged the seasonal ranges, and did not factor in the 39 degree comment. What do you prefer?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday, December 21, 2009

Cleveland Snowman

Many thanks to my friend Julie Hill for this picture. They had to scrape Frosty together out of a meager 2-3 inches of snow. Better than the big fat ZERO here in Alabama.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Wet 2009 in Huntsville

From Jason Elliott with the NWS Huntsville......

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
933 AM CST SAT DEC 19 2009

...HUNTSVILLE CRACKS THE TOP TEN WETTEST YEARS ON RECORD...

THE LATEST ROUND OF HEAVY RAIN...WHICH AFFECTED HUNTSVILLE
YESTERDAY...BROUGHT THE YEARLY TOTAL UP TO 66.54 INCHES...OVER
ELEVEN INCHES ABOVE NORMAL. BUT IT ALSO PUTS 2009 IN THE TEN WETTEST
YEARS EVER RECORDED AT HUNTSVILLE...WHICH A COUPLE WEEKS LEFT TO GO.

THE TOP TEN...
1ST...73.58 / 1989
2ND...72.97 / 1975
3RD...72.26 / 1990
4TH...70.26 / 1991
5TH...70.16 / 1923
6TH...69.01 / 1911
7TH...67.39 / 1983
8TH...67.21 / 1973
9TH...67.00 / 1929
10TH..66.54 / 2009 TO DATE

OVER AT MUSCLE SHOALS...THE RAIN AMOUNTS HAVE NOT BEEN QUITE AS
SIGNIFICANT...WITH 57.27 INCHES TOTAL YEAR-TO-DATE. THIS IS STILL
ABOVE NORMAL AND WOULD BE THE 23RD WETTEST RECORDED IF THE YEAR
ENDED TODAY.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT PARTS OF LAWRENCE AND CULLMAN COUNTIES HAVE
SEEN OVER 80 INCHES OF RAIN SO FAR THIS YEAR. ON THE OTHER HAND...
THERE ARE A FEW SPOTS IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY...ESPECIALLY IN
FRANKLIN COUNTY TENNESSEE...THAT ARE ACTUALLY BELOW NORMAL FOR
PRECIPITATION FOR THE YEAR. HOWEVER...EVEN THOSE SPOTS HAVE SEEN
NEARLY 50 INCHES OF RAIN.

$$

JE

Friday, December 18, 2009

Cullman Rainbow

David Wilhelm took this photo with his phone on Golf Course Road in South Cullman at 4:21 p.m.

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To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

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Cold and Wet in Alabama, Winter Storm in the Appalachians


9:00 a.m. radar/map from WeatherUnderground.
Temperatures across North Alabama range from 36 to 43 as of 9 a.m. Moderate to heavy rain is falling across the area. If temperatures were 5-10 degrees colder at the surface we would be experiencing an ice storm of historic proportions.
Those travelling to the northeast of Alabama need to be especially careful and pay close attention to the weather. Heavy snow is expected in the Appalachians and Winter Storm Warnings are up from roughly eastern Tennessee to New York City.
...

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Christmas Eve Snow in the South?

The 18Z run of the GFS model yesterday (earlier I accidentally said today's 18Z) continues to show the possibility of a significant Christmas Eve snow across the South. It is way to early to be specific or make a forecast, but the model is definitely worth taking as a "heads-up" for the possibility.

I have zoomed in on the southern states on the following graphics and added black boxes indicating the areas that may have the possibility of snow. Stay tuned!


11pm 12/23/09 until 5am 12/24/09


5am 12/24/09 to 11am 12/24/09

A few snow pics from 12/5/09...







I am a bit tardy in posting these pictures that were taken in NE Huntsville on Saturday December 5, 2009. We may see a little more of the "white stuff" between now and Christmas.
...

Tuscaloosa F4 - Nine Years Ago Today

Live ABC 33/40 coverage of the December 16, 2000 Tuscaloosa F4 tornado... it was captured live by the towercam in Tuscaloosa.



Vido description from Chuck Brams: "This video was shot out of the back of my car by Trip Harris KG4DMH. The tornado occured in Tuscaloosa, AL on December 16th 2000. I was trying to keep us from getting killed as he shot the video. My battery died and that is why this clip is short. This F-4 Tornado claimed 11 lives this day. It was a rare F-4 in December. Thanks to Trip for not getting sick as I drove just about anywhere to get away!!! The mark on the map shows where we first spotted the twister with friend Kirk Junkin... What a day."

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Congratulations, Jason Simpson

Meteorologist Jason Simpson of ABC 33/40 in Birmingham had a big announcement on Monday 12/14/2009.....

Record Rainfall

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1000 AM CST TUE DEC 15 2009

..NEAR RECORD DECEMBER RAINFALL AT MOBILE REGIONAL AIRPORT...

THROUGH 945 AM CST...THE MOBILE REGIONAL AIRPORT HAS RECEIVED 12.39
INCHES OF RAIN THIS MONTH. THIS MAKES DECEMBER 2009 THE SECOND
WETTEST ON RECORD AND RAIN IS STILL FALLING. THE RECORD DECEMBER
RAINFALL IS 13.09 INCHES SET BACK IN 1853.

THE PENSACOLA REGIONAL AIRPORT HAS RECEIVED 8.37 INCHES OF RAIN THIS
MONTH. THIS MAKES DECEMBER 2009 THE 10TH WETTEST IN PENSACOLA. THE
RECORD DECEMBER RAINFALL IS 14.67 INCHES SET BACK IN 1953.

$$

Thursday, December 10, 2009

National Change in Severe Hail Criterion

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
900 AM CST THU DEC 10 2009

TO: SUBSCRIBERS: NWS PARTNERS...USERS AND EMPLOYEES

SUBJECT: NATIONAL CHANGE IN MINIMUM HAIL SIZE CRITERION
FOR ISSUING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM /SVR/ AND
SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT /SVS/ PRODUCTS EFFECTIVE
JANUARY 5 2010

EFFECTIVE TUESDAY JANUARY 5 2010 AT 0001 COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME /UTC/...ALL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE /NWS/ WEATHER FORECAST OFFICES /WFO/ WILL OPERATIONALLY CHANGE THE MINIMUM HAIL SIZE CRITERION USED TO ISSUE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING /SVR/ AND SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT /SVS/ PRODUCTS FROM 3/4 INCH /PENNY/ DIAMETER OR LARGER TO 1 INCH /QUARTER/ DIAMETER OR LARGER HAIL.

NO CHANGE IS BEING MADE TO THE SVR AND SVS PRODUCT WIND CRITERION OF WIND GUSTS EQUAL TO OR IN EXCESS OF 50 KNOTS /58 MPH/.

A PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT /PNS/ SOLICITING COMMENTS REGARDING THIS CHANGE WAS ISSUED SEPTEMBER 23 2009 /PLEASE USE LOWERCASE/:

HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/OS/NOTIFICATION/PNS09_1_INCH_HAIL.TXT

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE /NWS/ RECEIVED 63 COMMENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE PNS...54 /86 PERCENT/ OF WHICH SUPPORTED THIS CHANGE. A WEB PAGE WILL BE CREATED TO ADDRESS ALL COMMENTS SINCE SOME COMMENTS INDICATED A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL OUTREACH. THIS WEB PAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY DECEMBER 15 2009 AND WILL BE PUBLICIZED VIA ANOTHER PNS.

THE NWS RECEIVED ALL COMMENTS BEFORE DECIDING TO CHANGE MINIMUM HAIL SIZE CRITERION FOR SVR AND SVS PRODUCTS.

CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGION WFO/S CURRENTLY ISSUE SVR AND SVS PRODUCTS EXPERIMENTALLY USING THE 1 INCH /QUARTER/ DIAMETER OR LARGER HAIL SIZE CRITERION /PLEASE USE LOWERCASE/:

HTTP://WWW.NWS.NOAA.GOV/OM/NOTIFICATION/SCN09-19HAIL_CHANGE.TXT

AND

HTTP://WWW.NWS.NOAA.GOV/OM/NOTIFICATION/SCN09-36WR_HAIL_EXP.TXT

THESE WFO/S WILL CONTINUE TO ISSUE 1 INCH /QUARTER/ HAIL SIZE CRITERION PRODUCTS EXPERIMENTALLY THROUGH JANUARY 4 2010. ALL NWS WFO/S WILL ADOPT THE NEW CRITERION OPERATIONALLY ON JANUARY 5 2010.

......

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Supercells and Gradient Wind Damage

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
333 PM CST WED DEC 9 2009

...SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS AND GRADIENT WINDS TUESDAY NIGHT...

GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS BROUGHT A DEEP FLOW OF MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIR
OUT AHEAD OF A STRONG...FAST MOVING UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM...AND
PRODUCED A NUMBER OF SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA
TUESDAY EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. GUSTY SURFACE WINDS OF UP
TO 50 MPH CAUSED SOME TREES TO FALL BEFORE THUNDERSTORMS EVER
ARRIVED. SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN WEST-CENTRAL ALABAMA REPORTED DAMAGE
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS WHILE MANY COUNTIES
RECEIVED SOME MINOR DAMAGE FROM THE GRADIENT WINDS.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ESTIMATED PEAK WIND GUSTS RECORDED ACROSS
CENTRAL ALABAMA:

LOCATION PEAK WIND GUST (MPH)

BIRMINGHAM AP (JEFFERSON CO) 53
DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM (JEFFERSON CO) 60
ANNISTON (CALHOUN CO) 40
TUSCALOOSA AP (TUSCALOOSA CO) 43
DOWNTOWN TUSCALOOSA (TUSCALOOSA CO) 53
SHELBY CO AP (SHELBY CO) 45
MT CHEAHA (CLEBURNE CO) 50
CLANTON (CHILTON CO) 32
DEMOPOLIS (MARENGO CO) 48
GADSDEN (ETOWAH CO) 40
HAMILTON (MARION CO) 40
INVERNESS (SHELBY CO) 44
MONTEVALLO (SHELBY CO) 61
OPELIKA (LEE CO) 46
ARLEY (WINSTON CO) 51
HALEYVILLE (WINSTON CO) 33
ALABASTER (SHELBY CO) 48

A SURVEY TEAM WAS SENT TO PICKENS AND TUSCALOOSA COUNTIES TO
INVESTIGATE AREAS OF DAMAGE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ALL DAMAGE
SURVEYED WAS THE RESULT OF STRONG GRADIENT WINDS OR SEVERE STRAIGHT
LINE WINDS. AT THIS TIME...NO ADDITIONAL STORM SURVEYS ARE
EXPECTED.

A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
PROGRAM IS THE RECEIPT OF STORM REPORTS FROM ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND
PARTNERS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA. IF YOU WITNESSED OR ARE AWARE OF
ANY STORM DAMAGE DUE TO HIGH WINDS OR TORNADOES...PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE...OR CALL OUR STORM REPORTING
HOTLINE AT 1-800-856-0758.

$$

88/02

Rainfall Reports from NWS HUN

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
927 AM CST WED DEC 9 2009

...24 HOUR RAINFALL TOTALS FROM AROUND THE AREA...

LOCATION NAME 24 HR
======== ==== =====
DUGA1 BIG COVE CREEK/DUG HILL : 6.07
FKVA1 FALKVILLE : 5.38
FRYA1 ALDRIDGE CREEK/FARLEY : 5.29
TONA1 ALDRIDGE CREEK/TONEY : 5.19
WHIA1 WHITESBURG : 5.04
BHFA1 BANKHEAD NATL FOREST : 4.72
SHEA1 ALDRIDGE CREEK / SHERWOOD : 4.66
HTAA1 HOLLYTREE : 4.65
PATA1 MCDONALD CREEK / PAT : 4.59
PNCA1 PENCE : 4.39
LRWA1 DESOTO STATE PARK : 4.30
CMNA1 DALLAS BRANCH / COLEMAN : 4.30
BLUA1 WF PINHOOK CK/BLUE SPRINGS : 4.18
MASA1 PINHOOK CREEK / MASTIN LAKE : 4.17
OKWA1 BROGLAN BRANCH / OAKWOOD : 4.08
CNTA1 PINHOOK CREEK / CLINTON : 4.08
CHSA1 CHASE : 4.07
ADAA1 FAGAN CREEK / ADAMS : 3.88
HSV HUNTSVILLE AIRPORT : 3.82
DCTA1 DECATUR COOP : 3.74
AHNA1 ATHENS TVA : 3.73
SMCA1 CROSSVILLE CRN : 3.70
ATNA1 CAPSHAW / ATHENS : 3.68
UAHA1 NSSTC / UAH : 3.65
WDVA1 WOODVILLE : 3.37
FAVT1 COLDWATER TN : 3.34
OXRA1 OWENS CROSS ROADS 3S : 3.32
MLTA1 MOULTON TVA : 3.31
FYTT1 FAYETTEVILLE : 3.21
ANDT1 ANDERSON : 3.15
RUXA1 RUSSELLVILLE AIRPORT : 2.87
LYCT1 LYNCHBURG COOP : 2.81
LIMA1 LIM ROCK : 2.80
MA1 MOAN (WEST DECATUR) : 2.75
MADA1 MADISON : 2.68
CLVA1 COLLINSVILLE : 2.66
BGWA1 FORT PAYNE : 2.66
SCTA1 SCOTTSBORO COOP : 2.62
MOUA1 MOULTON COOP : 2.62
TFDT1 TIMS FORD DAM PRECIP : 2.60
ANDA1 ANDERSON COOP : 2.51
SCXA1 SCOTTSBORO AIRPORT : 2.50
FNVT1 FLINTVILLE : 2.50
WHLA1 WHEELER DAM : 2.49
TNCA1 TOWN CREEK : 2.42
ESTT1 ESTILL SPRINGS : 2.42
DMEA1 DIME : 2.34
DCU DECATUR (PRYOR FIELD) : 2.27
WDCA1 WIDOWS CREEK : 2.26
HNCA1 HANCEVILLE : 2.20
GUNA1 GUNTERSVILLE COOP : 2.20
ABVA1 ALBERTVILLE : 2.20
FOPA1 FORT PAYNE : 2.19
GUXA1 GUNTERSVILLE COOP-M : 2.11
CUXA1 CULLMAN HCN-M : 2.10
SLMT1 SALEM(13 SW WINCHESTER : 2.06
IDRA1 IDER - KOEPSEL : 2.06
VHXA1 VALLEY HEAD HCN SITE : 1.97
MSL MUSCLE SHOALS AIRPORT : 1.93
RBYA1 RED BAY : 1.82
MSXA1 MUSCLE SHOALS TVA : 1.78
FYM FAYETTEVILLE AWOS : 1.78
SEWT1 SEWANEE TVA : 1.76
HGSA1 HODGES : 1.73
MDQ MERIDIANVILLE AIRPORT : 1.57
SCBA1 SCOTTSBORO TVA : 1.50
HENA1 HENAGAR : 1.48
GVDA1 GUNTERSVILLE DAM : 1.46
CCTA1 CEDAR CREEK DAM TW : 1.40
WRTA1 WRIGHT : 1.34
WLSA1 WILSON DAM / FLORENCE : 1.26
8A0 ALBERTVILLE AWOS : 1.18


$$

KDW

Wind Reports From Last Night

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
745 AM CST WED DEC 9 2009

..SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS AND GRADIENT WINDS TUESDAY NIGHT

GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS BROUGHT A DEEP FLOW OF MOIST AND UNSTABLE AIROUT AHEAD OF A STRONG…FAST MOVING UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM…AND
PRODUCED A NUMBER OF SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA
TUESDAY EVENING INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. GUSTY SURFACE WINDS OF UP
TO 50 MPH CAUSED SOME TREES TO FALL BEFORE THUNDERSTORMS EVER
ARRIVED. SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN WEST-CENTRAL ALABAMA REPORTED DAMAGE
ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUPERCELL THUNDERSTORMS WHILE MANY COUNTIES
RECEIVED SOME MINOR DAMAGE FROM THE GRADIENT WINDS.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ESTIMATED PEAK WIND GUSTS RECORDED ACROSS
CENTRAL ALABAMA:

LOCATION PEAK WIND GUST (MPH)
BIRMINGHAM AP (JEFFERSON CO) 53
DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM (JEFFERSON CO) 60
ANNISTON (CALHOUN CO) 40
TUSCALOOSA AP (TUSCALOOSA CO) 43
DOWNTOWN TUSCALOOSA (TUSCALOOSA CO) 53
SHELBY CO AP (SHELBY CO) 45
MT CHEAHA (CLEBURNE CO) 50
CLANTON (CHILTON CO) 32
DEMOPOLIS (MARENGO CO) 48
GADSDEN (ETOWAH CO) 40
HAMILTON (MARION CO) 40
INVERNESS (SHELBY CO) 44
MONTEVALLO (SHELBY CO)
61OPELIKA (LEE CO)
46ARLEY (WINSTON CO)51
HALEYVILLE (WINSTON CO) 33
ALABASTER (SHELBY CO) 48

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENTS WILL BE ISSUED PERIODICALLY
THROUGH THE DAY…AS SURVEYS TEAMS REPORT BACK THEIR FINDINGS. AT
THIS TIME…SURVEY TEAMS ARE ENROUTE TO PICKENS AND TUSCALOOSA
COUNTIES.

A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
PROGRAM IS THE RECEIPT OF STORM REPORTS FROM ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND
PARTNERS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA. IF YOU WITNESSED OR ARE AWARE OF
ANY STORM DAMAGE DUE TO HIGH WINDS OR TORNADOES…PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE…OR CALL OUR STORM REPORTING
HOTLINE AT 1-800-856-0758.

...
–FORECASTER LINHARES

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Tornado Warning - Blount




11:11

BMX issues Tornado Warning for Blount, Etowah, St. Clair [AL] till 11:45 PM CST ...* AT 1112 PM CST...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR ALLGOOD...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 60 MPH.

Weather Coverage from ABC 33/40

Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV

Possible Tornado in Pickens


9:38


9:39

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
928 PM CST TUE DEC 8 2009

ALC107-090400-
/O.CON.KBMX.TO.W.0170.000000T0000Z-091209T0400Z/
PICKENS AL-
928 PM CST TUE DEC 8 2009

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CST FOR SOUTHERN
PICKENS COUNTY...

AT 927 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO DETECT A
TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MEMPHIS...OR 10 MILES WEST OF
ALICEVILLE...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY IF
YOU ARE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS...

THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR...
GEORGE DOWNER AIRPORT BY 935 PM CST...
MCMULLEN...GARDEN AND ALICEVILLE BY 940 PM CST...
DILLBURG AND CARROLLTON BY 945 PM CST...
6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF OWENS BY 950 PM CST...
GORDO BY 1000 PM CST...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
STURDY SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST
DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A
WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS
AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN
INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO
COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A
SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE
NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM CST WEDNESDAY MORNING
FOR WESTERN ALABAMA.

Tornado Warnings on MS/AL Border


BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS 733 PM CST TUE DEC 8 2009 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... EASTERN KEMPER COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... * UNTIL 815 PM CST * AT 733 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES SOUTHWEST OF PRISMATIC MOVING NORTHEAST AT 50 MPH. * THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... PRISMATIC AND LIBERTY BY 740 PM CST... BLACKWATER BY 745 PM CST... OAK GROVE BY 750 PM CST... PORTERVILLE BY 800 PM CST... ELECTRIC MILLS BY 805 PM CST...

------------
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON MS 745 PM CST TUE DEC 8 2009 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... SOUTHERN KEMPER COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... NORTHERN LAUDERDALE COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...LAUDERDALE...MERIDIAN STATION... NORTHEASTERN NEWTON COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI... * UNTIL 845 PM CST * AT 745 PM CST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DUFFEE MOVING NORTHEAST AT 55 MPH. * THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... MEEHAN BY 750 PM CST... DUFFEE...SUQUALENA AND NELLIEBURG BY 755 PM CST... COLLINSVILLE AND MARTIN BY 800 PM CST... PRISMATIC BY 805 PM CST... DALEVILLE AND MERIDIAN STATION BY 810 PM CST... LAUDERDALE BY 815 PM CST...

Tornado Watch - West and Central Alabama


 
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 798
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
615 PM CST TUE DEC 8 2009

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

WESTERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA
EASTERN MISSISSIPPI

EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING FROM 615 PM
UNTIL 200 AM CST.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 1.5 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 EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 65 MILES NORTH NORTHWEST OF
BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA TO 40 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF PINE BELT
MISSISSIPPI. 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 796...WW 797...

DISCUSSION...TSTMS EXPECTED TO PERSIST AND POSSIBLY STRENGTHEN IN
ERN-MOST SW/NE BAND OF TSTMS IN MS AS THE BAND EDGES SLOWLY EWD
THROUGH EARLY WED. INCREASING SHEAR/ASCENT ASSOCIATED WITH
POWERFUL...EWD-MOVING OK/AR UPR VORT...AND GRADUALLY INCREASING LOW
LVL MOISTURE INFLOW...SUGGEST POTENTIAL FOR A FEW LONGER-LIVED
DISCRETE OR SEMI-DISCRETE SUPERCELLS. THESE MAY PRODUCE A STRONG
TORNADO OR TWO...IN ADDITION TO HIGH WIND/MARGINALLY SVR HAIL.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 1.5 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE
WIND GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO
500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24050.


...CORFIDI

Windy Night in Alabama

Whether a particular area receives severe weather or not, all Alabamians have been and will continue to experience gusty winds tonight.

Here are some recent wind gust observations within the past hour:

Meridianville: SSE 20, G-30
Huntsville Int'l Airport: SE 21, G-29
Decatur Airport: SE 21, G-29
Vinemont Airport: SE 13, G-25
Hayleyville: S 17, G-28
Birmingham Airport: SSE 15, G-28
Birmingham ABC 33/40 Skycam: SSE 25, G-42
Tuscaloosa Airport: S 14, G-20
Tuscaloosa ABC 33/40 Skycam: SE 13, G-35
Mt Cheaha ABC 33/40 Skycam: SSE 10, G-44

....

Tornado Watch - NW Alabama



URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
TORNADO WATCH NUMBER 797...CORRECTED
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
555 PM CST TUE DEC 8 2009

CORRECTED FOR ENDING TIME; 06Z NOT 08Z

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

NORTHWEST ALABAMA
NORTHERN MISSISSIPPI
SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE

EFFECTIVE THIS TUESDAY AFTERNOON FROM 555 PM UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 1 INCH IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS
TO 70 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 75 STATUTE
MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 45 MILES NORTH NORTHEAST OF
MUSCLE SHOALS ALABAMA TO 40 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF OXFORD
MISSISSIPPI. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE
ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

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 796...

DISCUSSION...TSTMS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE MOVING/DEVELOPING RAPIDLY NE
ALONG IN TWO SEPARATE SW/NE BANDS ACROSS NRN MS THROUGH LATE EVE.
WITH BOUNDARY LAYER CONTINUING TO GRADUALLY WARM/MOISTEN INVOF THE
BANDS...AND WITH DEEP SHEAR/FORCING FOR ASCENT BOTH LIKELY TO
STRENGTHEN BETWEEN 02-06Z AS OK/AR UPR VORT APPROACHES REGION...
SETUP MAY SUPPORT EMBEDDED SUSTAINED STORMS/POSSIBLE SUPERCELLS.
THESE MAY YIELD A FEW TORNADOES AND/OR BOWING SEGMENTS WITH DMGG
WIND.

AVIATION...TORNADOES AND A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL
SURFACE AND ALOFT TO 1 INCH. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND
GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 450.
MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23055.


...CORFIDI

Severe Weather in Alabama Tonight


SPC Tornado Probablities


SREF Significant Tornado Index >3 effective 10 p.m.



SREF Significant Tornado Index >3 effective at 1 a.m.

DAY 1 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
1020 AM CST TUE DEC 08 2009

VALID 081630Z - 091200Z

...THERE IS A SLGT RISK OF SVR TSTMS ACROSS THE LOWER MS VALLEY/MID
SOUTH INTO CENTRAL...

...LOWER MS VALLEY...

POWERFUL S/WV AND ASSOCIATED 150KT POLAR JET WILL RAPIDLY TRAVERSE
THE CENTRAL U.S. THIS FORECAST PERIOD MOVING FROM CURRENT LOCATION
SRN ROCKIES TO OH VALLEY BY WED AM. THE DEEP SURFACE LOW OVER
CENTRAL ROCKIES WILL QUICKLY REDEVELOP INTO LOWER MO VALLEY THIS
EVENING. THE STRONG ASCENT AND VERY FAVORABLE SHEAR PROFILES WILL
QUICKLY DEVELOP EWD ACROSS SRN/CENTRAL PLAINS INTO LOWER MS VALLEY
BY LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

THE AIR MASS STILL REMAINS A LIMITING FACTOR FOR UPGRADING THE RISK
OVER SRN MS VALLEY...HOWEVER WITH THE LOW LEVEL JET INCREASING TO
50PLUS KT THIS AFTERNOON AND RAPID PRES FALLS AHEAD OF DEVELOPING
SURFACE LOW ACROSS LWR MO VALLEY...NOW EXPECT AT LEAST MID 60S
DEWPOINTS TO MOVE INLAND TO AT LEAST CENTRAL MS/AL BY LATER THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

40-50KT OF SFC-1KM SHEAR COUPLED WITH DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE
HODOGRAPHS WITH APPROACH OF THE INTENSE S/W AND ITS JET MAX WILL
PROVIDE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT KINEMATICS TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF
SUPERCELLS AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES.

GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF DEVELOPMENT OF CAPE NO GREATER THAN 1000
J/KG IN WARM SECTOR AT THIS TIME WILL INCREASE PROBABILITIES OF
ISOLATED STRONG TORNADOES...MOST LIKELY IN THE ENHANCED SURFACE
CONVERGENCE VICINITY OF THE WARM FRONT MOVING INLAND SRN MS AND INTO
SRN AL BY THIS EVENING...BUT WITHHOLD UPGRADING THE RISK.

...COASTAL CAROLINAS INTO SERN VA...
OVERALL TRANSITION TO SSWLY FLOW FROM THE SRN/CENTRAL APPALACHIANS
EWD DURING LATTER HALF OF PERIOD SHOULD ALLOW MODIFIED BOUNDARY
LAYER TO OVERSPREAD THIS AREA OVERNIGHT. WHILE THE GREATER AIR MASS
DESTABILIZATION IS FORECAST TO REMAIN CONFINED TO THE COASTS...IT
DOES APPEAR THAT SUFFICIENT INSTABILITY MAY BE PRESENT TO SUPPORT
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISOLATED/SCATTERED NOCTURNAL STORMS WITHIN
STRENGTHENING WAA REGIME...ESPECIALLY INVOF AND EAST OF COASTAL
FRONT. ALTHOUGH LOW AND DEEP LAYER SHEAR WILL BECOME QUITE
STRONG...OVERALL INSTABILITY REMAINS WEAK AT BEST WITH NEAR MOIST
ADIABATIC LAPSE RATES EVIDENT ON FORECAST SOUNDINGS. EXPECT A FEW
ROTATING UPDRAFTS WILL EVOLVE OVERNIGHT WITH AT LEAST LOW
PROBABILITY THREATS OF STRONG/DAMAGING WINDS AND POSSIBLY A BRIEF
TORNADO. HOWEVER...QUESTIONABLE INSTABILITY MAY TEND TO LIMIT
OVERALL SEVERE THREAT.

..HALES.. 12/08/2009

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Somerville Snow

Thanks to Tammy Evans for this picture!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Twenty Years Ago This Hour

Huntsville tornado coverage by James Spann:

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Mississippi Sunset

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Storm Alert Xtreme

Join it live now on Ustream via ABC 33/40.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

..20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING HUNTSVILLE F4 TORNADO

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT…CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
800 AM CST THU NOV 12 2009

..20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DEVASTATING HUNTSVILLE F4 TORNADO

THIS SUNDAY /NOVEMBER 15TH/ MARKS 20 YEARS SINCE A DESTRUCTIVE
TORNADO RIPPED ACROSS AIRPORT ROAD AND OTHER PARTS OF SOUTHEAST
HUNTSVILLE…KILLING 21 PEOPLE AND INJURING 463.

AT APPROXIMATELY 4:37 PM CST ON NOVEMBER 15 1989…POWERFUL WINDS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE TORNADO INITIALLY HIT THE CITY’S NEW
GARBAGE-BURNING STEAM PLANT JUST OFF TRIANA BOULEVARD. THE TORNADO
THEN SMASHED INTO THE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE JUST WEST OF THE
MEMORIAL PARKWAY AND AIRPORT ROAD INTERSECTION. THE FIRST CONFIRMED
REPORT OF THE TORNADO CAME AT THIS LOCATION. THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE
DAMAGE OCCURRED ALONG A MILE-LONG WEST-TO-EAST PATH LINING AIRPORT
ROAD WHERE SHOPPING CENTERS…CHURCHES…SCHOOLS…RESTAURANTS AND
NUMEROUS APARTMENT COMPLEXES WERE HEAVILY DAMAGED TO COMPLETELY
DESTROYED.

LOCATIONS THAT SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE INCLUDE:
* WATERFORD SQUARE APARTMENTS
* CRESTWOOD HOSPITAL
* WESTBURY PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER
* VILLAGE ON WHITESBURG
* WHITESBURG CENTER
* HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH

MOVING EAST…THE TORNADO ROARED UP GARTH MOUNTAIN OVERLOOKING
WHITESBURG DRIVE…FOLLOWING IN ITS CLIMB THE NEWLY OPENED CARL T
JONES DRIVE. HEADING INTO THE WOODS…THE TORNADO SNAPPED TVA POWER
POLES AND TALL TREES LIKE TOOTHPICKS. ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN LAY JONES
VALLEY ELEMENTARY WHERE 37 STUDENTS REMAINED AFTER SCHOOL IN AN
EXTENDED-DAY PROGRAM. THE TORNADO SLAMMED INTO THE SCHOOL REDUCING
THE STRUCTURE TO RUBBLE IN A MATTER OF SECONDS…WITH SUPPLIES LATER
FOUND AS FAR AWAY AS SOUTHERN TENNESSEE. INCREDIBLY…ALL OF THE
STUDENTS/TEACHERS AND STAFF WOULD SURVIVE.

MOST EYE-WITNESSES DESCRIBED A WALL OF DARKNESS…WIND AND RAIN THAT
DESCENDED ON THE CITY LIKE A QUICKLY DRAWN CURTAIN. WINDS WERE SO
INTENSE THAT A WOODEN SPLINTER WAS FOUND EMBEDDED IN THE CONCRETE
WALL OF ONE CHURCH SANCTUARY.

THE TORNADO REMAINED ON THE GROUND FOR 16 MILES ACROSS MADISON
COUNTY WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS ESTIMATED IN EXCESS OF 200 MPH. THE
DAMAGE SWATH WAS AT ITS WIDEST /AROUND A HALF-MILE/ ALONG AIRPORT
ROAD. THE STORM SYSTEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TORNADO WOULD CAUSE A
QUARTER-OF-A-BILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO 16 STATES…WITH NEARLY
50 MILLION OF THAT AMOUNT IN MADISON COUNTY ALONE.

DAMAGE STATISTICS:
* 259 HOMES DESTROYED
* 1000 CARS DESTROYED (ADDITIONAL 2000 IN MORGAN COUNTY DUE TO HAIL)
* 80 BUSINESSES DESTROYED
* 240 MILES OF POWER LINES KNOCKED DOWN (ACCORDING TO TVA)
* 60 POWER STRUCTURES LOST (ACCORDING TO TVA)
* 432 ACRES OF TREES DESTROYED OR DAMAGED (BASED ON AERIAL SURVEY)

NOTE: INFORMATION AND STATISTICS TAKEN FROM “A DIARY OF DESTRUCTION”
ON THE (1989) HUNTSVILLE TORNADO — PRODUCED BY THE HUNTSVILLE
TIMES/HUNTSVILLE NEWS AND FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SOUTHERN
REGION NATURAL DISASTER SURVEY REPORT PUBLISHED JULY 1990.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE 1989 HUNTSVILLE TORNADO…VISIT
THE HUNTSVILLE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WEBPAGE AT:
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/HUNTSVILLE (ALL LOWER CASE)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Alabama Rainfall







Rainfal Estimates in Alabama from Weather Underground.
...

Storm Total Rainfall (so far)...


Former Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Depression, and now remnant low Ida has caused very few problems in Alabama. The system has dumped a lot of rain, however. Most of the State of Alabama has received over an inch and one-half of rain based on radar estimates as of 1:42.
...

Lots of Standing Water...

Rain continues to fall in Decatur at 1:37.

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Rainy Fall Day

Thanks to a lady named Ida.

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Monday, November 09, 2009

Fall Colors in Huntsville


This is a maple tree I planted when I was about 10 years old. I took this picture on Sunday afternoon, November 8, 2009 in Huntsville, Alabama.
...

State of Emergency in Alabama

Alabama Governor Bob Riley issued a "State of Emergency" proclamation this afternoon due to tropical storm Ida. There was a lot of hype with this storm, but it will just be a rainy, breezy evening in South Alabama. Click on the image to read the text.



...

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Friday 10/30/09 Tornado in Marion County


5:25 BMX Nexrad


5:30 BMX Nexrad

Radar images courtesy of the NOAA weekly archive here.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
400 PM CDT SAT OCT 31 2009


…STORM DAMAGE FINDINGS FROM FRIDAY OCTOBER 30 2009…


…CONFIRMED TORNADO DAMAGE FOUND IN MARION COUNTY…

A VERY MOIST AND WARM AIR MASS DEVELOPED ACROSS WEST ALABAMA
FRIDAY AFTERNOON AHEAD A STRONG COLD FRONT. MANY OF THE CELLS THAT
DEVELOPED WERE ROTATING ALOFT WITH NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FUNNEL
CLOUDS. DESPITE PLENTY OF LOW LEVEL INSTABILITY AND SHEAR…
THE AIR MASS ALOFT WAS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR DEEP UPDRAFTS AND MANY
OF THE ROTATING CELLS DID NOT CONTAIN LIGHTNING…AND ONLY ONE
REPORT OF A POSSIBLE TOUCHDOWN HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM.

…THORN HILL TORNADO…
EVENT DATE: 30 OCTOBER 2009
EVENT TYPE: EF1
ESTIMATED PEAK WINDS (MPH): 100
INJURIES/FATALITIES: NONE
EVENT START TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 524 PM / 34.1692, -87.6718
EVENT END TIME/LOCATION COORDINATES: 530 PM / 34.2036, -87.6457
DAMAGE PATH LENGTH (IN MILES): 2.8
DAMAGE WIDTH (IN YARDS): 200
WARNINGS: TORNADO WARNING 165 IN EFFECT FROM 510 PM UNTIL 545 PM.
WATCHES: TORNADO WATCH 785 IN EFFECT FROM 1223 PM UNTIL 7 PM.

A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN JUST SOUTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF MARION
COUNTY ROAD 19 AND ALABAMA ROAD 129 NEAR THE COMMUNITY OF THORN HILL.
THE TORNADO TRAVELED TO THE NORTHEAST AND CROSSED OVER ALABAMA
ROAD 129 BEFORE LIFTING. ALONG THE PATH…THE TORNADO DAMAGED THE
ROOFS OF 4 HOMES…AS WELL AS 3 OUTBUILDINGS. ALSO ALONG THE PATH
WERE 20 HARDWOOD TREES THAT WERE UPROOTED AND ANOTHER 5 THAT WERE
SNAPPED IN HALF.

A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
PROGRAM IS THE RECEIPT OF STORM REPORTS FROM ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND
PARTNERS ACROSS CENTRAL ALABAMA. IF YOU WITNESSED OR ARE AWARE OF
ANY STORM DAMAGE DUE TO HIGH WINDS OR TORNADOES…PLEASE CONTACT
YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE…OR CALL OUR STORM REPORTING
HOTLINE AT 1-800-856-0758.

...

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Oak Mountain State Park, 11/1/2009
















Friday, October 30, 2009

Risk of Severe Weather in West Alabama

DAY 1 CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
1120 AM CDT FRI OCT 30 2009

VALID 301630Z - 311200Z

...THERE IS A SLGT RISK OF SVR TSTMS ACROSS PARTS OF THE MS DELTA
NWD TO WRN AL AND A SMALL PORTION OF TN...

...SYNOPSIS...
SIGNIFICANT LARGE SCALE TROUGH ACROSS THE CENTER OF THE NATION WILL
BEGIN TO DE-AMPLIFY AND SPREAD ENEWD ACROSS THE MS VALLEY AND
MIDWEST THROUGH TONIGHT. THIS SYSTEM IS CHARACTERIZED BY AN
UNUSUALLY STRONG MID LEVEL JET WITH CORE WIND SPEEDS NEARING 150KT
ON THE ERN FLANK OF THE TROUGH. AS THE TROUGH AND JET TRANSITION
ENEWD ACROSS THE MIDWEST TODAY...DEEP-LAYER CYCLONE WILL TRACK FROM
MN INTO ONTARIO...AND TRAILING COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP EWD ACROSS THE
OH VALLEY. SRN SEGMENT OF THE COLD FRONT....FROM TN TO MS DELTA
REGION ATTM...WILL MAKE SLOWER PROGRESS EWD INTO VERY MOIST AIRMASS
FROM THE NRN GULF COAST ACROSS THE TN VALLEY. THIS PORTION OF THE
FRONT WILL EVENTUALLY UNDERGO FRONTOLYSIS THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY.
HOWEVER...UNTIL THEN...LIFT ACROSS FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL BE
MAINTAINED BY MODEST LARGE SCALE ASCENT WITHIN/BENEATH RIGHT
ENTRANCE REGION OF AFOREMENTIONED MID/UPPER JET.

...MS ACROSS THE TN VALLEY...
VISIBLE SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS LARGE BREAKS IN CLOUD COVER ACROSS
PRE-FRONTAL WARM SECTOR FROM SERN LA AND ERN HALF OF MS NWD TO PARTS
OF TN/KY. DESPITE MARGINAL MID LEVEL LAPSE RATES DEPICTED IN MORNING
SOUNDINGS ACROSS THESE AREAS...BOUNDARY LAYER HEATING WITHIN THETA-E
RIDGE AXIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A MODEST INCREASE IN CAPE/DECREASE IN
CINH AHEAD OF THE APPROACHING COLD FRONT THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. SREF
GUIDANCE SHOWS AT LEAST 70 PCT PROBABILITY OF SBCAPE VALUES REACHING
500 J/KG OVER MUCH OF ERN MS AND WRN AL BY MID TO LATE AFTERNOON. IT
SEEMS REASONABLE TO EXPECT CONVECTIVE INTENSITY TO RESPOND TO THIS
INCREASE IN DIURNAL DESTABILIZATION WITH AN INCREASING CHANCE FOR
PERSISTENT/ROBUST STORM UPDRAFTS.

WHILE STRONGER MASS INFLOW HAS ALREADY SHIFTED NORTH OF MOST
UNSTABLE WARM SECTOR...IT APPEARS THAT ANY INCREASE IN STORM VIGOR
WILL STILL OCCUR IN A MORE THAN SUFFICIENTLY SHEARED KINEMATIC
REGIME TO SUPPORT BOTH FAST-MOVING STORMS...AND UPDRAFT ROTATION.
THUS...EXPECT A GRADUAL INCREASE IN TORNADO/WIND EVENT PROBABILITIES
THROUGH AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING. TEMPORAL AND AREAL EXTENT OF THIS
POTENTIAL SHOULD REMAIN CONFINED ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY MAINTAINING
SEVERE PROBABILITIES AS FORECAST IN EARLIER OUTLOOKS.

FARTHER NORTH...ACROSS PARTS OF TN/KY...MASS FIELDS APPEAR A BIT
MORE FAVORABLE FOR SUSTAINING CONVECTION DESPITE WEAKER
DESTABILIZATION ACROSS NARROWING WARM SECTOR. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT
HEATING/MIXING AHEAD OF NARROW COLD-FRONTAL RAINBAND MAY CONTRIBUTE
TO ISOLATED STRONGER WIND GUSTS REACHING THE SURFACE WITH PASSAGE OF
LOW-TOPPED CONVECTIVE LINE.

..CARBIN/HURLBUT.. 10/30/2009
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

6 p.m. at Orange Beach, Alabama

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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Orange Beach, Alabama


4:29 p.m.


5:44 p.m.


5:44 p.m.


7:57 p.m.

It was a very nice evening at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The temperature was 75 and there was a gentle seabreeze blowing onto the 9th floor balcony. Great company and great weather!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

College football in Tuscaloosa.

Beatiful day.

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Tuscaloosa skies: 1:33

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

4:41 in the Rocket City

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More Cirrus

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