Mike Wilhelm's Alabama Weather Blog

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Bamawx.com

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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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

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

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

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

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."

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

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.

$$

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.

......

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

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

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

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.

Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV

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.

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...

 
 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

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

....

 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

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

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Thanks to Tammy Evans for this picture!
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