WAFF Weather

An April Without Tornadoes

For the last 7 years in a row, tornadoes have been springinng up across the Tennessee Valley.  Well this year was an exception.  We have made it through April 2012 unscathed by one of our planets most deadly weather phenomenon. In 2004 only wind damage was reported.  That was near Capshaw and Wall Triana.  Every April from 2005-2011, we've had April tornadoes.  This year was the exception. 

Below is a rundown from our last quiet April (2004) up to now.

After the quiet month of April 2004, tornadoe activity picked up again.  From 2005 up through 2010 many of the tornadoes reported were smaller EFO-EF1 in size.  On April 2, 2009, 4 EF0-EF1 tornadoes developed.

Not too many days later on April 10th, 2009, an EF0 and EF3 tracked through Marshall into Jackson and Dekalb Counties.


The tornadoes were larger in size by April 2010 with 1 EF2, 2 EF3's and an EF4 tornado.  These tornadoes tore paths through Cullman, Marshall, and Dekalb Counties.

It was the next year we had the major tornado outbreak of April 27th, 2011.  A date that will live with all of us for a very long time.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

 

Rain Chances Increasing Soon

So what's been going on this weekend?  Why have we been so warm and dry.  Right now we have an upper-level ridge on top of the Southeast.  This ridge has kept the rain and storms north and west of here.  But this ridge is breaking down over the next couple of days and this will make us more vulnerable to possible showers or thunderstorms.

As the ridge begins weakening, we stand a better chance at a few afternoon isolated showers and storms by Monday.

By Tuesday, an upper-level trough may enhance a few widespread showers and storms in our area.  Still no severe weather is anticipated.

But with a flattening of the ridge or a few disturbances developing and rolling through our Valley, slight rain chances will stay around here through the end of the week.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

A Typical Spring Weekend

Enjoy your weekend.  But remember....it is Spring.  That means a pop up storm may develop with afternoon heating both today and tomorrow.  Although rain chances are less than 20%.

Afternoon highs this weekend hit the mid and upper 80s and only fall into the 60s both nights.  Some patchy fog may develop.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

Warmer and Muggy

As a stalled from begins moving north as a warm front, you'll begin to notice a couple different effects.  South winds at 5 to 10mph will increase warm things up as we head into Saturday.  Rain chances will remain to our north and west.

By Sunday the warm front north of here may settle southward into Southern Tennessee.  A few isolated showers or storms may begin to pop up in the afternoon, but those chances are 20% or less.  Temperatures will hit the mid 80s.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

A Few Strong Storms Today

Showers and thunderstorms are back in the forecast today ahead of a cold front pushing in from the north.  While rain is not expected to be widespread, a few stronger storms are possible.  The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK, has highlighted north Alabama and middle Tennessee for possible severe weather today.

 

WAFF 48 Pinpoint Predictor is showing a broken line of showers and thunderstorms coming in by late this afternoon into the early evening hours.

 

We're not expecting to see significant severe weather however.  The strong storm activity is expected to be fairly isolated.  The main threats these storms will pose this afternoon and evening are for some wind gusts 60-70 mph and hail as large as nickels or quarters.  There is little to no threat for a tornado.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Typical Spring Days Ahead

Fronts moving in and fronts stalling.  Rain chances small with warming temperatures.  No big upper-level storm systems in our near future. 

But for some in the Valley no rain will fall through the weekend or for the beginning of next week.  Upper-level winds are not really favoring much in the way of substantial rain or storm systems.

Skies will generally be partly sunny over the coming days with much warmer weather on the way.  Highs will climb into the low and mid 80s.  

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

 

Slim Rain Chances

A disturbance moving through the midwest may bring us a few clouds tonight and tomorrow.  This wave may bring in a few isolated showers tomorrow afternoon, but rain chances are less than 20%.

Our best chance of rain arrives from Canada by Thursday.  This particular system may bring about a few isolated storms as well. 

This front will stall near the Valley to our north and will keep slight rain chances in our forecast through the weekend.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

A Frosty Morning for Parts of the Valley

Chilly temperatures are on the way again tonight.  Northwest winds will continue bringing in these cold temperatures.  And in fact, some of us may end up with a little frost by morning.  Tender vegetation may need to come in inside overnight.  Frost will be more likely throughout the Sand Mountain area with mainly patchy frost elsewhere across the Valley.

Tomorrow brings sunshine and warmer weather.  But an upper-level disturbance pushine through here might bring an isolated shower to the Valley Tuesday afternoon.  Rain chances are less than 20%.

Another cold front moves in by Thursday with a better chane for showers and storms across the Valley by then.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

Another Sweeping Cold Front

We will be well behind the cold front on Monday.  And as you can see by the graphic.  Expect windy, cool, but sunny weather in its wake. 

Temperatures will head into the lower 60s Monday afternoon, but the northwest wind will probably make it feel like we're in the 50s. 

Upper 30s to around 40 degrees Monday night, but some folks may see mid 30s.  With that said, there may be areas of frost. If you have tender vegetation that can come in the house....you might think about bringing it in.

 Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397

 

Cooler Weekend for the Valley

A cold front moved through the Valley this morning.  Behind the front, skies will remain cloudy a little while longer with afternoon highs in the 60s.  Winds will be picking up from the north at around 5-15mph. 

Skies will begin clearing late today and turning colder tonight under mainly clear skies.  Temperatures fall into the 40s by Sunday morning.

We'll head into the mid 60s on Sunday with much more sunshine than what we're expecting today.

High pressure builds in the Gulf this next week and warms things back up around here as we head into Tuesday and Wednesday.

Brian Fowler
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms
256-533-6397