This Evening’s Sunset…

Bland Weather for Today…

It’s chilly, overcast, and cloudy this morning.  The perfect morning to stay inside and write until your heart’s content.   So, that’s what I am doing today.  We have a slight 20% chance of rain tonight and tomorrow.  It doesn’t look promising.  The Weather Channel’s Local on the Eights is saying some snow my mix in, but it is going to be too warm for that I think.   We have some very cold mornings ahead, but the days look mild comparatively to the cold snap we had last month.  No more rain in the immediate future after today and tomorrow.  

This Evening’s Sunset…

A Look Ahead…

Sigh!  It looks like another cold snap is in store for us after another front.  I was hoping we were through with such weather having had my snow for the year.   I really need to take a gander at some of the longer range weather models and see what they reveal.  I have Spring fever!

Storms in Bama…

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Governor Bob Riley has proclaimed February 22-26, 2010, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. The National Weather Service, Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and other supporting organizations, ask your help in providing the public with information about severe weather safety. Advance planning and increased awareness will help residents of Alabama survive these deadly storms.

Tonight’s Sunset…

Come On! Can’t We Reach 70?

It’s 66 degrees as I sit here and write this.  I can’t remember the last time it was so warm.  Maggie has been outside all day so that is a good indicator that the weather is nice. BUT!  We have thunderstorms rolling in for the evening.  Maybe late tonight you may hear some loud rumbles of thunder.  It will be so reminiscent of Spring and I am excited.  Thunder, second only to snow, is my favorite weather phenomenon. 

Tonight’s Sunset…

More Rain?

The phrase from famine to feast comes to mind with our amount of rain lately.  A few years ago we were in a severe drought.  Now?  We’re under a never ending deluge of rain.  El Niño in action I guess.  I hope we have lots of summer thunderstorms coming up.  That will bring me no end of joy. 

Possible Winter Weather?

I know Tuesday is a long way away in weather terms.  I know to only get excited the day before an event, but thought this was worth mentioning.  We have a slight chance for rain/snow Tuesday night into Wednesday.  Long range models are so fickle though so don’t get your hopes up just yet winter weather lovers. 

This Evening’s Sunset…

Weekend Outlook…

A slight chance of rain remains for Sunday night with heavier rain moving in for the overnight hours.   Monday shows a 40% chance of lingering rain until the front passes.  It will be interesting to see the temperatures for next week.  I am hoping for mild weather.  Saturday looks to be such a beautiful day reminiscent of early Spring.

Hydrologic Outlook from the NWS…

...SPRING FLOOD OUTLOOK FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA...

THE SPRING FLOOD OUTLOOK FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA IS FOR AN ABOVE
NORMAL POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING.

EXISTING CONDITIONS...

...RAINFALL...
AN ACTIVE WEATHER PATTERN ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
...ASSOCIATED WITH EL NINO...HAS PRODUCED ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL
SO FAR THIS WINTER SEASON IN CENTRAL ALABAMA.  SINCE THE FIRST
OF DECEMBER RAINFALL HAS AVERAGED FROM 100 TO 125 PERCENT OF
NORMAL IN THE NORTH AND WEST SECTIONS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA...
TO 150 TO 200 PERCENT OF NORMAL IN THE SOUTHEAST.

RAINFALL SO FAR THIS WINTER HAS AVERAGED 13 TO 19 INCHES IN THE
NORTH AND WEST SECTIONS...RANGING TO 20 TO 25 INCHES IN THE
SOUTHEAST.  SOME REPRESENTATIVE TOTALS TO DATE INCLUDE:

LOCATION               RAINFALL DEC. 1, 2009 TO PRESENT

HAMILTON                           15.37 INCHES
JASPER                             18.75 INCHES
BIRMINGHAM                         13.19 INCHES
TUSCALOOSA                         13.89 INCHES
ANNISTON                           13.74 INCHES
DEMOPOLIS                          16.42 INCHES
SELMA                              21.42 INCHES
MONTGOMERY                         20.73 INCHES
ALEXANDER CITY                     20.00 INCHES
TROY                               24.36 INCHES

This Evening’s Sunset…

A Look at a Beautiful Day in Winter…

Rain in Our Future…

It was cold this morning, but we didn’t have a frost.  It intrigues me what makes a frosty morning and what doesn’t.   Rain should arrive for the weekend on Sunday and Monday.  Now winter weather in our immediate future much to my chagrin. 

The Evening’s Sunset…

Out My Front Door…

Cold Temps this Morning…

CENTRAL ALABAMA

CITY           SKY/WX    TMP DP  RH WIND       PRES 
BIRMINGHAM     CLEAR     22  15  75 W7        30.11R
MONTGOMERY     CLEAR     24  14  65 NW9       30.14R
SHELBY CO ARPT CLEAR     22  15  75 W6        30.10S  MAXWELL AFB    CLEAR     25  14  62 W3        30.13R
GREENVILLE     FAIR      25  15  66 NW3       30.10S

Amazingly, there wasn’t any frost on my car this morning at 5 AM when I went to get my Cokes. It was also supposed to snow overnight, but the air was just too dry. Anything falling from the sky evaporated before it hit the ground.

Today, look for mostly sunny skies and a very chilly afternoon with highs only in the low 40s. The whole week looks clear and chilly. February at it’s best. Enjoy the dry days this week and I look forward to many sunrise and sunset photos for the blog.

The Near Term…

Possible Snow Showers for Tonight…

This Evenings Sunset…

No Snow this Morning, but…

Well, I woke up to a cold rain this morning around 4:30 AM disappointed.  The temperature was hovering around 40 degrees.  No snow.  A few snow showers are lingering after the cold front.  We will see how long they stick around and if they amount to anything.  Looks like North Alabama only at this point. 

The Latest Snowfall Potential 1:30 AM…

NWS Sure is Optimistic Tonight!

Winter Weather Advisory Issued…

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
NOON CST MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST MONDAY.

A STRONG STORM SYSTEM WILL DEVELOP OVER PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA LATE SUNDAY AND CONTINUE INTO MONDAY MORNING. ALTHOUGH
THIS EVENT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AS RAIN SUNDAY EVENING...A CHANGE
OVER TO SNOW IS EXPECTED AS COLDER TEMPERATURES SETTLE ACROSS THE
AREA AFTER SUNSET. ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES WILL BE
POSSIBLE IN THE ADVISORY AREA...ESPECIALLY ALONG AND NORTH OF THE
INTERSTATE 20 CORRIDOR. ACCUMULATIONS OF ONE-HALF TO ONE AND A
HALF INCHES ARE EXPECTED SOUTH OF THE INTERSTATE 20...AND ALONG
THE HIGHWAY 280 CORRIDORS.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR THE LATER
UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION.

Cloudy With a Chance of Rain/Snow…

Clouds have already started to move-in in advance of our next system.  Too warm now for snow, but what may tonight bring?  As the temperatures drop after dark, it will be interesting to watch the weather unfold. 

Frost on the Grass this Morning…

Sunrise on a Frosty Morning…

Reported Snow Accumulations Per County…

The Day After Snow Day!

More Snow Pictures…

Sticking Good Now!!!

Starting to Look Like a Winter Wonderland…

Snow Accumulation 12 PM to 6 PM…

The Snow’s Beginning…

Total Snow Accumulation for Tomorrow…

Dawn This Morning…

I know not to get excited, but…

It takes a perfect set of weather condition to get snow this far south in Alabama.  Charlie was over last night talking about the coming snow.  He doesn’t follow forecasts, look at the weather, or watch The Weather Channel.  It was the first time he had heard about Friday’s possibly coming snow and it was from me.

“It doesn’t snow when they predict it here,” he said snidely, laughing.  “It is when they get caught by surprise, we get a good snow.”

“I know,” I replied, partially agreeing with Charlie. “But it’s like what football is to dad for me.  It is a spectator sport for us snow lovers in the South.  We love to keep up with the forecasts and the model outputs.”

“If you want to know the weather,  look out your window or walk out the front door,” Charlie said facetiously.  He says this often when he sees me watching The Weather Channel.

I couldn’t sleep last night I was so excited about the possible snow tomorrow.  I kept checking The National Weather Service’s website for new information.  I would do it with trepidation thinking new model runs would come in and the forecast would change.  I thought of what Charlie had said the night before.  The bit about walking outside to see the weather.  I walked outside this morning and it was 28 degrees.  “It just feels like snow!” I thought wistfully.  I hope Charlie is wrong and that my intuition is right. 

Possible Snowfall Amounts…

Okay, I am getting excited now.  It is going to be a long day watching the weather and waiting for the latest models to come out!

The Weather Blog is Now On Snow Alert!!!!

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON. SNOW WILL BEGIN FALLING AFTER MIDNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT ACROSS FAR SOUTHWESTERN AREAS NEAR LIVINGSTON AND DEMOPOLIS. THE SNOW WILL QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS MUCH OF CENTRAL ALABAMA FRIDAY MORNING. THE SNOW WILL TAPER OFF FROM WEST TO EAST LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. AT THIS TIME...IT APPEARS THAT SNOW ACCUMULATION OF ONE TO THREE INCHES WILL BE POSSIBLE IN AND NEAR THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN AND NEAR THE WATCH AREA SHOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS AND PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE SNOW ACCUMULATION ON FRIDAY. STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS POTENTIAL WINTER WEATHER EPISODE. A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATION THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

From the National Weather Service…

...WINTER WEATHER POTENTIAL FOR FRIDAY...

OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS MUCH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN REGARDS TO THE POTENTIAL FOR WINTER WEATHER ON FRIDAY. AT THIS TIME...THE FORECAST IS BEGINNING TO BE MORE CONSISTENT THAT THERE WILL BE A CHANCE FOR AN ACCUMULATING SNOW ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA. THE TIMING FOR THIS EVENT REMAINS VERY CONSISTENT IN ALL OF THE FORECAST MODELS...AS FRIDAY LOOKS TO BE THE TARGET DAY. HOWEVER...SOME UNCERTAINTY REMAINS ON THE TRACK OF THE SURFACE LOW...WHICH WILL DETERMINE NOT ONLY THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE THAT IS OFFERED UP WITH THIS SYSTEM...BUT ALSO...HOW FAR THE FREEZING LINE WILL DIG INTO THE SOUTH. AS OF WEDNESDAY MORNING...THE BEST FORECAST FOR SNOW AMOUNTS OF AROUND 2 INCHES WILL BE BETWEEN THE INTERSTATE 20 AND HIGHWAY 80 CORRIDORS...WITH 1 TO 2 INCHES NORTH AND SOUTH OF THIS AREA. A TRACE TO ONE-HALF INCH IS EXPECTED FROM TROY TO EUFAULA. PLEASE BEGIN TO PLAN AHEAD ON HOW SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW COULD AFFECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...BEFORE IT ACTUALLY FALLS. CHECK BACK WITH US FREQUENTLY ON THIS POTENTIAL FOR WINTER WEATHER FRIDAY. ON THE WEB...CHECK OUT OUR HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK AND OUR MULTIMEDIA IMPACT BRIEFING FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

A Cold Rain Friday?

I am trying not to get excited about our possible snow.  9 out of 10 times I am always disappointed.   Dad said last night, “It’s gonna snow.  I can feel it in my bones.  It is cold outside!”  I hope he is right.  It is going to be a fun day on the weather blog if it does. 

Dawn…

Midday Report…

I Knew Not To Get Excited!!!

Early model outputs always aggravate me.  They’re so fickle  and change every morning with the new  model runs.  I should know by now to only believe the models a day before an event.  Well, the new NWS model output gives us a paltry 40% chance of snow for Friday.  It did a 180 degree change from yesterday.  I am off to sulk as I normally do every winter when this happens.  Charlie always says, “If you want to know the weather, step outside your front door.”  He has a point!

SNOW IN THE FORECAST!!!!!!

Tonight’s Sunset!