WAFF Weather

Freezing temperatures and more frost for the first morning of November.

Evening temperatures will be in the upper 40s for those Trick or Treating tonight.

The hour by hour forecast for Athens above shows temperatures falling into the 30s after 10pm with a light northwest wind.  Other locations will see a similar cool down.

A freeze warning had been issued by the National Weather Service for Thursday morning.  There were many locations across the Tennessee Valley that had freezing temperatures early Wednesday morning as well.  Other areas that did not will likely see the first freeze of the season along with some significant frost.  Plan a little extra travel time Thursday morning to scrape the frost off the windshield if you park outside tonight.  The temperatures will only be at or below freezing for a couple of hours before sunrise.

The warming trend will continue Thursday and Friday.  Highs in the middle 60s tomorrow with highs likely reaching the lower 70s Friday afternoon.  The wind will return from the southwest and they will eventually bring in some high clouds. 

Saturday is now looking dry with highs in the 70s.  A cold front will move in late Sunday.  Ahead of this front it is looking mostly cloudy with a few showers throughout the day on Sunday with highs in the 60s.

Have a safe Halloween.

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

Looking Forward to Falling Back?

Can you believe it?  That time of the year is already here.  Time to gain an hour of sleep but lose an hour of daylight. 

Let me blunt.  Daylight Saving Time Ends on November 4th at 2am.  That's early Sunday morning for those of you keeping score at home.  Before going to bed Saturday night make sure you set those clocks back one hour. 

So...fall back! You'll feel much more rested on Sunday morning if you do!

Brian Fowler

Meteorologist

WAFF 48 Storm Team

We Track Storms

256-533-6397

Cold Morning...Warmer By Friday

Temperatures dropped to the lowest numbers of the fall in many areas this morning, with a few spots falling below freezing.  Here are some of the morning lows:

33 Huntsville International Airport

38 Decatur Airport

37 Muscle Shoals Airport

36 Albertville

28 Ft. Payne

30 Meridianville

34 Cullman

35 Courtland

34 Crossville

38 Guntersville

31 Russellville

30 Scottsboro

27 Valley Head

 

Temperatures will rebound today, though it will stay a little cooler than average for this time of year.  The weather will be cool, but otherwise quiet for Trick or Treating later this afternoon and evening.

 

Clear skies and light winds will lead to another cold night, with overnight lows falling into the low to mid 30s.

 

Warmer weather will return by the end of the week.  Temperatures in the 70s across Texas and Oklahoma and along the Gulf Coast today will head to the north and east over the next few days and we expect to be back above 70 again by Friday.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

 

A cold night after a few sundogs, arcs and a halo around the sun.

Some great shots of sundogs, arcs and a halo around the sun today.  The rainbow appearance a times was due to the refraction of light from the sun due to the high thin cirrus clouds.  Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals.  The ice crystals put on a show today.  Here are some pictures submitted on Facebook and through Pix@waff.com.

sundog from Abby Vibbart in Huntsville.

sun arc from Ann Weis in Harvest.

A combination of all from Heather Hope in Huntsville.

 

The cirrus clouds at 4:00pm today.

Here's your updated forecast. 

A breezy and cold evening is ahead.  Winds will be from the northwest at 7-12mph with temperatures falling into the lower 40s.  Wind chill values will drop into the lower 30s after sunset.  Overnight lows will be around freezing once the wind dies down overnight.

A warming trend will get underway Wednesday afternoon.  Highs will be in the lower 60s with a lot of sunshine and less wind than we have had the past two days.  It will be a chilly night for Trick or Treating.  Temperatures will be in the lower 50s around sunset Wednesday.

Highs will be in the upper 60s by Friday with highs in the lower 70s on Saturday.  A cold front will move in late Sunday and showers will be possible as the front gets closer Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

Have a great night. 

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

Cold Wind Saga Continues

Sandy...or what's left of it, is not through with the Valley just yet.  High clouds will inundate the area today and cold weather will persist.  In fact, highs will only be in the 50s again this afternoon, and the wind will only make it feel colder.

A Wind Advisory continues for parts of the Valley until 7pm tonight.  So blustery conditions can be expected through then. 

The good news in all this is that Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy continues to weaken now that it's on land, and that means our winds will dissipate for tomorrow.

But tomorrow morning may still be breezy.  And with temperatures down around 32 degrees to kick off our Wednesday, the wind chill may be in the 20s again!

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

Wind Advisory

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
340 AM CDT MON OCT 29 2012

...WINDY CONDITIONS EXPECTED ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY...

.AS SANDY MOVES UP THE EAST COAST...STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS WILL
FLOW INTO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY. THESE WINDS WILL BE STRONGEST TODAY
AND ON TUESDAY...ESPECIALLY OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

ALZ006-008>010-TNZ076-096-097-291800-
/O.CON.KHUN.WI.Y.0009.121029T1500Z-121030T0000Z/
/O.CON.KHUN.WI.Y.0010.121030T1200Z-121031T0000Z/
MADISON-MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HUNTSVILLE...GUNTERSVILLE...
SCOTTSBORO...FORT PAYNE...LYNCHBURG...FAYETTEVILLE...WINCHESTER
340 AM CDT MON OCT 29 2012

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO
7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM CDT
TUESDAY...

* TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...TODAY FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM AND AGAIN ON
  TUESDAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM FOR NORTHEAST ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN
  MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

* WINDS...SUSTAINED NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH
  WITH GUSTS OF 35 MPH...AND AROUND 40 MPH ON THE HIGHER
  TERRAIN.

* IMPACTS...WINDS WILL MAKE DRIVING HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES
  DIFFICULT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT SUSTAINED WINDS IN EXCESS OF 25 MPH...
OR GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. ENSURE ALL LOOSE
OUTDOOR OBJECTS REMAIN SECURE...INCLUDING PATIO FURNITURE AND
TRASH CANS.

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Wind Chills and Wind Advisories

Sandy may not be directly affecting us, but we are still getting the winds from this monster of a storm.  You add to that wind the cold air we already have in place, and it makes for a frigid combo!

First of all....it will be downright cold tonight.  Temperatures fall into the mid 30s and the wind will bring those wind chills down into the 20s by morning.  Dress warm for your Monday.

Second.....as Sandy builds and this storm turns into a Nor'easter and the biggest storm on record, our winds will pick up around here.  With that said, the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for parts of the Metro into the Sand Mountain area for both Monday and Tuesday.  Timing of the advisory will be from 10am to 7pm both days. 

When driving in strong winds be careful.  High profile vehicles can be a little squirrely when those winds pick up.  Also, it's important to mention not to forget to fasten down those things that can blow away in this kind of wind....like lawn furniture, etc.

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

Cold Moves in and Sandy Gathers Strength

Much going on in the weather story today.  We have a strong cold Canadian airmass sweeping across the Valley.  We are also tracking a tropical system that may devastate the northeast over the coming days.

First to our weather.  Temperatures have dropped off significantly the last 24 hours.  A potent cold front has effected the Valley and will continue to do so over the next few days.  We'll drop down into the 30s to around 40 tonight and only climb into the 50s again Sunday and Monday! 

It very well may be that temperatures are cold enough for a frost Sunday night and a freeze by Monday night.  We're tracking freezing possibilities for you in case you may need to bring in those outdoor pets and plants.

It will probably be around mid-week before we make a return to the milder mid and upper 60s.

On to Sandy.....it has been upgraded now to a hurricane and continues to be on a path to hug the eastern seaboard until making landfall sometime Monday or Tuesday.  Landfall could take place at or near the Jersey or New York coasts.  If the timing is right with the cold air, a nor'easter may shape up to bring a dangerous blow to that part of the country.  Heavy snow, flooding, and widespread power outages will be their primary threats.

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

What to expect this weekend and next week.

A cold front is tracking across the Valley this evening.

 Temperatures will drop by 15 degrees within two hours behind the front.  A gusty north wind at 10-20mph will make if feel much colder.  The temperatures will be in the upper 40s by 10pm.  Overnight lows will be in the 40s.  A few spotty showers are possible tonight and very early Saturday morning.

Saturday and Sunday will be breezy and much cooler with highs only in the 50s.  We will have decreasing cloud cover Saturday afternoon and it will be mostly sunny for your Sunday.



(Sunday morning temeratures could be a little warmer on this map due to some cloud  cover that might sneak into NE Alabama.  If it is clear you will likely be in the 30s as well)

Temperatures will drop into the upper 30s for morning lows Sunday.   A frost as possible freeze are on the way for Monday and Tuesday morning.  Temperatures will remain below normal for much of next week.

Have a great weekend. 

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

College Football Forecasts--Week 9

If you've been waiting for it to really feel like football weather, and I mean REALLY feel like it, this weekend is it!  Alabama, Auburn, and Alabama A&M are all in-state this weekend, and temperatures will the chilliest of the fall for all those games.  Tennessee's game at South Carolina will be a little more comfortable.  UNA is off this week.

Let's get started with the Crimson Tide taking on Mississippi State at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday night.

It's Homecoming and the Tide are trying to stay unbeaten against another unbeaten team in the Bulldogs, who are also trying to stay perfect (and get a little more respect in the process).  For all the fans and alumni attending the game, it's going to be a chilly one.  Kickoff temperatures in the mid 50s will feel like the 40s with a breezy north wind swirling around the stadium.

It gets no better in the 4th quarter with temperatures continuing to drop.  If you've been waiting to break out that Crimson sweatshirt, you'll get your chance this weekend.  But you might also have a heavy jacket on top of it while huddling underneath the stadium blanket....it's going to be a chilly one in Tuscaloosa!

 

Auburn is still trying to pick up that second win of the season and their first SEC victory against new conference foe Texas A&M.  The weather here won't be as chilly as Tuscaloosa, but you'll still need those heavier jackets and sweaters to stay warm.  Kickoff temperatures around 60 will feel just a bit cooler with the north wind blowing.

Temperatures by the 4th quarter will settle back into the mid 50s with a wind chill in the upper 40s.

 

Chilly weather will also be featured in the Magic City Classic as Alabama A&M takes on Alabama State at Legion Field in Birmingham.  The Bulldogs are trying to stay on track to reach the SWAC Championship game.  You'll need the heavier jackets here as well with temperatures holding around 60 through the game.  The brisk north wind will make it feel colder.

 

Tennessee fans will be the most comfortable this weekend as the Volunteers travel to Columbia to take on South Carolina.  It will be breezy here, but the colder air affecting games in Alabama won't have quite settled into the Palmetto State yet.  Temperatures will be in the low 70s during the game with a gusty north wind around.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

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