WAFF Weather

Saturday Snow Update

Some snowflakes still look to fall Friday night into Saturday.  It also still looks like this will not be a significant event.  Here's the set up as we head into the weekend.

The jet stream, indicated by the clear tube with the arrows, takes a big dip across the eastern half of the country, carving out a deep trough of low pressure in the upper atmosphere.  The atmosphere will be plenty cold enough to support snow.  Moisture however remains lacking.  Some light snow is still expected to develop and track through primarily Friday night into Saturday morning.  Some additional snow showers may hang around into the afternoon.

How much snow?

Well WAFF 48 Pinpoint Predictor is being pretty consistent with little to no accumulation.  Here is the forecasted snowfall ending at 5pm Saturday:

Most areas won't see anything.  A few spots could get a dusting of around 1/10", particularly in southern Tennessee and perhaps in the higher terrain areas in NE Alabama.  It will be pretty to look at when it falls and not likely to cause any travel concerns.  And if you were hoping to build a snowman or even 1 snowball....you're probably out of luck this time.

So in summary here's what we're looking at....

Check back for updates, but it's unlikely that the forecast will change.  We're also keeping an eye on maybe another shot at some flakes Tuesday night.  We'll get through Saturday before we start talking too much about that though ;)

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Saturday Snow Update

It is looking more and more likely that the TN Valley will see the white stuff falling from the sky to start the weekend.  Models are coming into agreement about more moisture to work with.

We'll start with a few sprinkles, light rain showers late in the day Friday.

As temperatures quickly bottom out in the 20s Friday evening into Saturday morning, the precipation will change over to snow flurries and snow showers.

We'll see off and on light snow showers and flurries through the Saturday morning hours.

At this time, light accumulations will be possible. Most spots will see a spotty dusting on grassy areas at best while the higher elevations and some spots in southern middle TN could see near 1 inch.

Unless something changes, no major snowfall is expected, and no widespread travel problems are expected.  Some slick/slushy spots could be possible on the side roads.  We will monitor road conditions very closely and provide frequent updates.

I really like this image (below) and think it accurately depicts what we'll see...This shows the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center's (HPC) probability of accumulating snow > 1 inch. Extreme NE Alabama and some of southern middle TN have about a 20-40% chance of seeing 1" of snow through Saturday afternoon.

The bigger story is most definitely the cold. We are in the mid 50s right now in Huntsville while spots in southern middle TN have already fallen into the mid 40s.  Cloudy skies and breezy west winds, it will stay in the 40s all day tomorrow and Friday.  Temperatures will struggle to break out of the 30s Saturday afternoon. Wind chills could be in the teens early Saturday and Sunday morning.

We'll finally rebound back into the 50s for the work week but the 60s don't look like they'll return until late next week/weekend.

 

Lauren Jones
Meteorologist
WAFF48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

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Another Round of Winter

As Meteorologist Jeff Castle mentioned in the previous blog post, after we dry out tonight, the weather story the rest of the week focuses on colder temperatures and the chance for seeing some snowflakes. 

Keep in mind that many things will change between now and then.  All of the models have similarities but I'll just be showing the one depicting the most/best chances for any wintry weather.  This would be worst case scenario.  At times, other models are showing less or no precipitation.  Check back here and on social media sites frequently for updates.

 

Typical of this wintry pattern, the clouds will be part of the skyline for at least the next four days.  There will be a few breaks but overall expect it to remain mostly cloudy.  Several disturbances will pass through the TN Valley that could trigger some light precipitation.

The first of which will move in Wednesday afternoon.  A few light rain showers will be possible in the late evening hours and a few snowflakes could fall overnight Wednesday into Thursday. No accumulation is expected.

(Wednesday Evening)

We'll start to see temperatures really struggling by Thursday when highs will be in the mid 40s.  Another quick disturbance will pass through Thursday evening into Friday morning with a few snow flurries possible mainly for southern middle Tennessee and locations north of the River in Alabama. 

(Midday Thursday)

This precip could change to back to liquid sprinkles by Friday afternoon when temperatures climb a little above freezing.

(Lunchtime Friday)

By Saturday morning temperatures will drop into the middle to upper 20s.  The last of the disturbances will move in and produce a few snow showers. 

 (Lunchtime Saturday)

Some areas could pick up a light dusting of snow by Saturday afternoon.  We will keep a close eye on the situation but as of right now, with warm ground temps, we don't anticipate any travel problems. 

 

Lauren Jones
Meteorologist
WAFF48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

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Windy Last Night....Staying Breezy Today

As expected, the wind was howling much of last night...sustained at 20-30mph with gusts above 40mph at times.  Some of the highest elevations in NE Alabama may have seen gusts to 50mph.  Downed tree limbs down and some isolated power outages were reported as a result of the high wind.  Here's a look at some of the highest reported wind gusts around the area:

 

We'll stay breeze today, but not as windy as last night.  A SW breeze around 20mph will be common with some occasional gusts to around 30mph this afternoon.

 

Rain was not a huge issue last night with most areas picking up less than half an inch. The highest rain amounts were in Dekalb County where a couple of locations reported around 3/4".  The steadier rain has ended, but occasional showers remain in the forecast through this afternoon.

 

The weather story the rest of the week focuses on colder temperatures and the chance for seeing some snowflakes.  More on all that is coming up later today on WAFF 48 News @ 4, 5, 6 and 10pm!

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Mild & Windy Before Rain Arrives Late

Much of the day will be dry, with just a few isolated showers around this afternoon, mainly south of the Tennessee River. 

Windy and mild weather is expected with highs in the upper 50 to low 60s.  The wind will pick up out of the east today around 10-20mph.  A Wind Advisory is in effect this evening with 35-45 mph gusts possible.

Steadier rain will push in this evening with a few rumbles of thunder overnight.  Most locations will see the steady rain by midnight.

No severe weather is expected but we'll stay windy tonight with some heavy rain in the overnight hours.

The steady rain will end by Tuesday morning with just some spotty showers around.  Roads will be wet for the morning commute.  Highs will be in the mid 50s. 

Quieter weather returns by midweek, but a much colder weather pattern will establish itself for the remainder of the week and through the weekend.  Highs will settle back in the 40s starting Thursday and continuing through Sunday.  Overnight lows will be mainly in the 20s by the end of the week. 

Already making plans for the first March weekend?  It's going to be quite chilly with a little moisture moving through at times giving us a chances for snow flurries, however at this point, it doesn't look like we'll see anything more than that. 

Lauren Jones
Meteorologist
WAFF48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

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Wind Advisory Tonight

Very windy conditions are expected to develop tonight as a strong storm system tracks through the area.  Check out some of the forecast wind gusts at 2am tonight from WAFF 48 Pinpoint Predictor.

 

A Wind Advisory is in effect from 6pm this evening until 6am Tuesday morning.

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
302 AM CST MON FEB 25 2013

...WINDY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT...

.A STORM SYSTEM MOVING THROUGH THE SOUTHERN PLAINS TONIGHT WILL
PRODUCE GUSTY SOUTHEAST WINDS ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY.

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-252230-
/O.NEW.KHUN.WI.Y.0004.130226T0000Z-130226T1200Z/
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...WINCHESTER
302 AM CST MON FEB 25 2013

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST
TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST
TUESDAY.

* TIMING AND AREAS AFFECTED...THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT OVER ALL OF
  NORTH ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

* WINDS...SOUTHEAST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH...WITH GUSTS OVER 35 TO 40
  MPH. HIGHER WIND GUSTS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

* IMPACTS...SMALL OUTDOOR ITEMS MAY BE BLOWN AROUND BY GUSTY
  WINDS. DRIVING MAY BE DIFFICULT IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES...
  ESPECIALLY IN AREAS FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT... ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. IN ADDITION...ENSURE ALL LOOSE
OUTDOOR OBJECTS REMAIN SECURE... INCLUDING PATIO FURNITURE AND TRASH
CANS.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Impressive Rain Totals

Dry weather returns for the weekend (YAY!!!!), but yesterday's rain dumped on us pretty good the short time it was here.  Most areas picked up between 1-1.5" with some heavier totals in a few spots.  

Here's what was estimated by radar:

And here's what officially fell in the rain gauges across the area:

1.41"  Cullman

1.25"  Guntersville

1.24"  Crossville

1.20"  Scottsboro

1.20"  Valley Head

0.96"  Huntsville International Airport

0.81"  Muscle Shoals Aiport

0.74"  Decatur Airport

0.58"  Courtland

0.55"  Russellville

 

It's been a wet 2013 so far...we're more than 3" above average on rain since Jan. 1st in most areas.  And more is on the way next week!

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Severe Weather Awareness Week - Be Prepared

To wrap up our Severe Weather Awareness week…We want to remind you of all the ways you can stay on top of the weather.

In addition to our regular broadcasts, you can watch the WAFF48 Storm Team streaming on your mobile device any time severe weather threatens the area.  WAFF48 also offers many ways to track the weather with the 48 Storm Team.  You can download our weather app for the latest watches, warnings, and interactive radar.  If you don't have a smart phone, you can sign up for breaking news and weather text alerts. For weather forecasts sent straight to your inbox, sign up for WAFF 48 News email alerts and updates, too.  Follow WAFF48 news and the 48 Storm Team on Twitter and Like Us on Facebook for constant updates on weather in your neighborhood, closings, road conditions, and other breaking news.  You can also help out during severe weather by safely sharing photos with us and sending them to pix@waff.com.

In conjunction with severe weather awareness week, Alabama's second severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday begins at midnight Friday, February 22nd and ends at midnight, Sunday, Februrary 24th.  Alabama shoppers can stock up *tax free* on common supplies costing less than $60 that every home and  business needs to prepare for a natural disaster or even a general emergency. Generators costing $1,000 or less also can be purchased free of the state's four-percent sales tax during the three-day tax holiday.  

 Common supplies included in the tax free weekend include:

• AAA-cell
  batteries
• AA-cell batteries
• C-cell batteries
• D-cell batteries
• 6-volt batteries
• 9-volt batteries
• Cellular phone battery
• Cellular phone charger
• Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radio, weatherband radio or NOAA
  weather radio
• Portable self-powered light source, including battery powered flashlights, lanterns, or
  emergency glow sticks
• Tarpaulin
• Plastic sheeting
• Plastic drop cloths
• Other flexible, waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kit
• Duct tape
• Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings
• Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
• Non-electric can opener
• Artificial ice
• Blue ice
• Ice packs
• Reusable ice
• Self-contained first aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Smoke detector
• Carbon monoxide detector
• Gas or Diesel fuel tank or container

 For more information visit the Alabama Retail Association website.

Lauren Jones
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms

Here Comes The Rain Again

Don't be fooled by the beautiful sunrise we saw this morning.  The view from our Research Park Alfa Camera was spectacular.  A big storm system approaching from the west today will guarantee that the sunset won't be as pretty.

 

A major winter weather event is unfolding across the Plains and Midwest with substantial snow and ice expected.  We're not expecting any of that however.  We will be on the warm side of this storm system and rain will start moving back in this afternoon.  

 

WAFF 48 Pinpoint is still dry at 1pm with rain lying just to our west. 

 

By 3pm the picture is a lot wetter.  Areas to the west of I-65 will be dealing with steady and heavy rain at this point.  

 

By 6pm the heavier rain will shift into southern Tennessee and NE Alabama.  

 

Behind that initial round of steady rain, showery weather will persist overnight.  

 

The rain will be tapering off as the morning commute starts tomorrow and for much of the day Friday the main axis of rain should lie just to our south and east.  

 

Rainfall looks to add up to around an inch to an inch and a half in most areas by the time it ends early tomorrow morning.  Some additional rain may clip areas to the east of I-65 and south of the Tennessee River Friday night into early Saturday, but it appears that the bulk of the weekend will be dry.  Enjoy the break...it will be brief.  We're already tracking another storm system that will bring rain and thunderstorms back as we start the new work week.

 

Jeff Castle

WAFF 48 Storm Team

Severe Weather Awareness Week - Flooding

Flash flooding kills more people per year than any other weather hazard.  Flooding is the cause of an average of 94 fatalities per year.

Alabama and southern Tennessee are susceptible to flooding year-round due to their proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the nearly unlimited supply of moisture it provides.

 

Flooding occurs when the water level of a river, stream, or lake increases. Water overflows the river banks into low lying areas and can last for several days or weeks.

A Flash Flood is not something that takes days to happen, like a regular flood. Instead, it’s a situation that can develop quickly. In some cases, it may not even be raining where you live. However, if the rain has fallen upstream, that means it will be heading to your area soon.  Flash floods often occur within minutes or hours of heavy rainfall or a dam failure. The rapidly rising water can destroy structures and bridges, down trees, create new waterways and trigger catastrophic mudslides. Areas most prone to flash floods are urban areas, small streams and rivers, culverts, and storm drains. Urbanization increases water runoff two to six times over what would occur in natural terrain. This causes streets and parking lots to become swift moving rivers, and basements and building ground floors to quickly fill with water.

A Flash Flood Watch means that flash flooding is possible in or near the watch area.

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring in the area or will be very soon.

If you live in a low-lying area or near a river, stream, or dam then you need to be prepared to evacuate quickly. If not, the rapidly rising flood waters could leave you trapped. The last place you want to be is on your roof, waiting for a boat or helicopter to take you to safety.

More than half of all people killed in floods are those in vehicles.  Remember, it only takes 18 inches
of water to lift your car or SUV. Once your vehicle becomes buoyant; the water will easily push it sideways. Most vehicles will then tend to roll over, trapping those inside and washing them downstream. If you are driving and the road has water over it, you need to remember this simple saying: “Turn Around – Don’t Drown”. Never drive on a road with water covering it and never drive
around barriers blocking a flooded road or it just may cost you your life.

Lauren Jones
Meteorologist
WAFF 48 Storm Team
We Track Storms