WAFF Weather

Heat Advisory vs Excessive Heat Warning

 

A Heat Advisory is in effect for Franklin County, TN and Jackson, Marshall and Dekalb Counties in Alabama until 7pm today.  

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for Lincoln County, TN and Madison, Limestone, Morgan, Cullman, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin Counties in Alabama until 7pm.

Both mean it's going to be dangerously hot, but what's the real difference between the 2?  For our area here's what it means:

 

Heat Advisory: Heat Indices (what it feels like with the humidity) are forecast to be between 105-110°F, and/or actual air temperatures are forecast to be between 100-105°F.

Excessive Heat Warning: Heat Indices are forecast to exceed 110°F, and/or actual air temperatures are forecast to exceed 105°F.

 

This criteria varies across the country.  The temperature/heat index thresholds can be lower in other areas.  Us Southerners are expected to tolerate the heat better since we have longer, hotter and more humid summers than other parts of the country.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Drought Worsens

The extreme heat and dry weather of the last week has worsened the drought situation across north Alabama and southern Tennessee.  Much of our area is now considered to be in Moderate Drought, and parts of Tennessee, including portions of Lincoln, Moore and Franklin counties, are in a Severe Drought.

After a promising start to the year with rain, we have been steadily falling behind since March.  Here's where we currently stand in Huntsville and the Shoals:

 

Huntsville Rain (Departure From Average)

For the month of June:  -2.57"

Since Jan. 1st:  -6.30"

Since Mar. 1st:  -7.92

 

Shoals Rain (Departure From Average)

For the month of June:  -2.95"

Since Jan. 1st:  -8.76"

Since Mar. 1st:  -9.15"

 

With more triple digit heat through early next week and little in the way of rain showing up in the extended forecast the drought situation will likely continue to worsen in the weeks ahead.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Heat Advisory

 

Heat Advisories through tomorrow:

 

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1040 AM CDT THU JUN 28 2012

...HOT CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY...

.A PERSISTENT RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL MAINTAIN HOT AND DRY
CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
TEMPERATURES TODAY WILL RANGE FROM 100 TO 104 DEGREES OVER MUCH OF
NORTHWEST AND NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA...AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN MIDDLE
TENNESSEE. EVEN WARMER CONDITIONS CAN BE EXPECTED ON FRIDAY AND
THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

ALZ001>004-282345-
/O.CON.KHUN.HT.Y.0001.120628T1800Z-120629T0000Z/
/O.CON.KHUN.HT.Y.0002.120629T1400Z-120630T0000Z/
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FLORENCE...MUSCLE SHOALS...
RUSSELLVILLE...MOULTON
1040 AM CDT THU JUN 28 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM CDT FRIDAY...

* TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...NORTHWEST ALABAMA THIS AFTERNOON...AND
  AGAIN ON FRIDAY.

* TEMPERATURE...ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURES WARMING TO BETWEEN 100 AND
  104 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON.

ALZ005>007-016-TNZ076-096-282345-
/O.EXA.KHUN.HT.Y.0001.120628T1800Z-120629T0000Z/
/O.CON.KHUN.HT.Y.0002.120629T1400Z-120630T0000Z/
LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ATHENS...HUNTSVILLE...DECATUR...
CULLMAN...LYNCHBURG...FAYETTEVILLE
1040 AM CDT THU JUN 28 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM CDT FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A HEAT
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING.

* TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...NORTH CENTRAL ALABAMA AND PORTIONS OF
  SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THIS AFTERNOON...AND AGAIN ON FRIDAY.

* TEMPERATURE...ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURES AROUND 100 DEGREES THIS
  AFTERNOON.


ALZ008>010-TNZ097-282345-
/O.CON.KHUN.HT.Y.0002.120629T1400Z-120630T0000Z/
MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-FRANKLIN TN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GUNTERSVILLE...SCOTTSBORO...
FORT PAYNE...WINCHESTER
1040 AM CDT THU JUN 28 2012

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM CDT FRIDAY...

* TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...ALL OF NORTH ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN
  MIDDLE TENNESSEE FRIDAY.

* TEMPERATURE...ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURES WARMING TO BETWEEN 100 AND
  105 DEGREES DURING FRIDAY AFTERNOON. IN ADDITION...HEAT INDEX
  VALUES COULD APPROACH 105 TO 110 DEGREES...MAINLY WEST OF I-65.


* IMPACTS...THESE TEMPERATURES WILL ELEVATE THE RISK OF HEAT RELATED
  ILLNESSES...SUCH AS HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND
NEIGHBORS. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS UNATTENDED IN
VEHICLES!

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 911.

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Intense Heat for the Tennessee Valley

An upper-leel ridge that spreads from the Southwest into the Plains is surging east and releasing a ton of heat on the Valley from now through the weekend.
This area of high pressure will also act to keep us in this drought.  As it stands we are nearly six inches below normal on the rain guage. 

Triple-digit heat can have a serious effect on people during their regular routine.  Here's some ways that you can beat the heat.

Just remember to play it safe during this heat wave.  And with this heat wave comes very dry conditions.  Avoid any outside burning or use of fireworks.  With vegetation being so dry from the lack of moisture, fires can quickly start and spread.

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

 

Air Quality Alert

 

AIR QUALITY ALERT MESSAGE
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT MONTGOMERY AL
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
351 AM CDT WED JUN 27 2012

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY FOR HUNTSVILLE AND
DECATUR...

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT...ADEM...HAS
ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT...FOR MADISON AND MORGAN COUNTIES FOR
WEDNESDAY...JUNE 27.

AN AIR QUALITY ALERT MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE OR PARTICULATE
MATTER CONCENTRATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH LEVELS THAT ARE
UNHEALTHFUL FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS. CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA
ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK UNDER THESE EXPECTED CONDITIONS.

ADEM RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS DURING AN AIR QUALITY ALERT
DAY:

CONSERVE ELECTRICITY AND SET YOUR AIR CONDITIONER AT A HIGHER
TEMPERATURE.

LIMIT DRIVING AND COMBINE ERRANDS.

USE THE BUS OR CAR POOL TO WORK.

AVOID USE OF GASOLINE POWER LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT.

REFUEL CARS AND TRUCKS AFTER 6 PM.

LIMIT ENGINE IDLING.

USE HOUSEHOLD...WORKSHOP...AND GARDEN CHEMICALS IN WAYS THAT KEEP
EVAPORATION TO A MINIMUM...OR TRY TO AVOID THEM WHEN POOR AIR
QUALITY IS FORECAST.

IF BREATHING BECOMES DIFFICULT...MOVE INDOORS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO ON AN AIR QUALITY ALERT DAY...
VISIT THE ADEM WEBSITE AT WWW.ADEM.STATE.AL.US...AND CLICK ON AIR
QUALITY FORECAST. YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY AT AIRNOW.GOV.

 

Fire Danger This Afternoon

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
622 AM CDT TUE JUN 26 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 5 PM CDT TODAY FOR
LAUDERDALE, COLBERT, AND LIMESTONE COUNTIES FOR THE COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

ALZ001-002-005-262200-
/O.UPG.KHUN.FW.A.0005.120626T1800Z-120627T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KHUN.FW.W.0013.120626T1700Z-120626T2200Z/
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-LIMESTONE-
622 AM CDT TUE JUN 26 2012

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 5 PM CDT TODAY FOR
LAUDERDALE, COLBERT, AND LIMESTONE COUNTIES FOR THE COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 5 PM CDT THIS
AFTERNOON. THIS RED FLAG WARNING REPLACES THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH WAS
PREVIOUSLY IN EFFECT.

* AFFECTED AREA...LAUDERDALE...COLBERT...AND LIMESTONE COUNTIES.

* TIMING...NOON TO 5 PM CDT TODAY.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...VALUES WILL FALL TO AROUND 30 PERCENT BY NOON
  AND RANGE FROM 25-30 PERCENT FOR MOST OF THE AFTERNOON. VALUES
  WILL IMPROVE TO 30-35 PERCENT BY DUSK.

* IMPACTS...ANY FIRES THAT DEVELOP WILL LIKELY SPREAD RAPIDLY.
  OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG
WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL INCREASE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

 

A Lull in the Heat

Near-record heat here in the Valley today.  100 degrees this afternoon!  But some relief on the way tomorrow with a weak cold front moving this way tonight.

The front will temporarily drop temperatures down to near-normal readings and lower that humidity a little as well.  We'll see this 'cool trend' through Wednesday only.

From that point on.....an upper-level ridge is going to build across the State.  That will turn the heat up again and rain down more scorching temperatures around the Valley for Thursday and Friday.

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

Lightning Safety Awareness Week

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
800 AM CDT MON JUN 25 2012

...AN INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTNING SAFETY...

THIS WEEK IS NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. LIGHTNING
KILLS-PLAY IT SAFE!

IN THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR...THERE ARE ABOUT 25 MILLION CLOUD-TO-
GROUND LIGHTNING STRIKES. WHILE LIGHTNING CAN BE FASCINATING TO
WATCH...IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DURING THE LAST 30 YEARS...
LIGHTNING HAS KILLED AN AVERAGE OF 55 PEOPLE PER YEAR IN THE UNITED
STATES...WHILE INJURING 300 MORE. BRINGING THAT DOWN TO THE LOCAL
LEVEL...ALABAMA HAD 110 REPORTED LIGHTNING DEATHS BETWEEN 1959 AND
2011.

DURING A THUNDERSTORM...EACH LIGHTNING FLASH IS A POTENTIAL KILLER.
LIGHTNING CAN EVEN STRIKE UP TO 10 MILES FROM THE MAIN AREA OF THE
THUNDERSTORM. THAT IS ABOUT THE DISTANCE YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER FROM
THE STORM. WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN SEE THE ACTUAL LIGHTNING
FLASH...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE AT RISK OF BEING STRUCK.
IN ADDITION TO THE VISIBLE FLASH OF LIGHTNING...THE CURRENT
ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHTNING DISCHARGE TRAVELS ALONG THE GROUND.
ALTHOUGH SOME VICTIMS ARE STRUCK DIRECTLY BY THE STROKE...MANY
VICTIMS ARE STRUCK AS THE CURRENT MOVES IN AND ALONG THE GROUND.

PEOPLE NEED TO BECOME AWARE OF WHAT BEHAVIOR PUTS THEM AT THE
GREATEST RISK OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO
TO REDUCE THAT RISK. THOSE IN CHARGE OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND
EVENTS SHOULD HAVE AND FOLLOW A SPECIFIC LIGHTNING SAFETY PLAN TO
MINIMIZE DANGER TO PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS. THE GREATEST NUMBER
OF LIGHTNING DEATHS AND INJURIES OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN
BOTH LIGHTNING AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES REACH THEIR PEAKS. DURING THE
SUMMER...PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WARM WEATHER TO ENJOY A
MULTITUDE OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. UNFORTUNATELY...THOSE ACTIVITIES
PUT THEM AT RISK. IN PARTICULAR...PEOPLE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM
OUTSIDE DOORS AND WINDOWS AND AVOID CONTACT WITH ANYTHING THAT
CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY.

FINALLY...IN THE EVENT THAT A PERSON IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING...
IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE MAY BE NECESSARY TO SAVE THE PERSON`S LIFE.
CARDIAC ARREST...BURNS...AND NERVE DAMAGE ARE COMMON IN CASES WHERE
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. HOWEVER...WITH PROPER
TREATMENT...INCLUDING CPR IF NECESSARY...MOST VICTIMS SURVIVE A
LIGHTNING STRIKE EVEN THOUGH THE LONG TERM EFFECTS ON THEIR LIVES AS
WELL AS THE LIVES OF THEIR FAMILIES CAN BE DEVASTATING.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIGHTNING SAFETY. VISIT:
WWW.LIGHTNINGSAFETY.NOAA.GOV.

 

Debby Still Up in the Air

All eyes are on Debby this evening.  Latest guidance data having a rough time determining an exact course for the Tropical Storm.  There seems to be some agreement that Debby may head up the East Coast as an upper-level trough pulls her that direction.  But some models still trying to bring her into La. or Ms.  Only time and upper-level dynamic support will tell the tale.

Back here at home....no effects from Debby.  Just a fair day with hot weather.  More hot weather on the way tomorrow, even  with a weak cold front moving in.  This front may bring some relief in the form of rain or isolated afternoon t'storms. 

The front should supress the heat somewhat for Tuesday and Wednesday, but the heat and humidity returns for late week.

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

 

Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby is now churning in the Gulf and moving north, slowly. Latest models have it moving either north, west, or east. It's still a little early in the game to get an exact track, but we'll continue to keep you update.

Sunshine and hot weather through the remainder of the weekend. Temperatures will climb into the upper 90s with heat index values above 100. Drink lots of fluids and stay in the shade when you can if you plan to be outdoors for any length of time.

A weak front may bring a few showers or storms by Monday. But it will still be on the hot side with highs in the mid and upper 90s. Tuesday through Friday will be mainly fair with highs near 90 through Wednesday. We'll then be warming into the low to mid 90s Thursday and Friday. Have a great weekend!

Brian Fowler

Meteorologist WAFF 48 Storm Team

We Track Storms

256-533-6397