WAFF Weather

Cold with more snow showers tonight.

Winter Weather Advisory for our Tennessee counties along with Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties in North Alabama.  Additional accumulations of ½” are possible in these areas through Midnight tonight.  Isolated slick spots will continue so use caution when traveling.  Patches of ice remain possible through the morning commute.


Scattered snow showers will continue to develop an track to the southeast into the overnight hours.  Light accumulations will remain possible with the heavier showers.  The snow shower activity will taper off around 7am Wednesday.  Be prepared of a few slick spots overnight tonight and early Wednesday morning. Morning lows will be around 20.




Sunshine will return Wednesday afternoon with highs in the upper 30s.  The rest of the week will be dry but colder than normal.  Morning lows will be in the 20s with afternoon highs in the 40s for Thursday and Friday.


Another shot of Arctic air will arrive Saturday.  Afternoon highs will return to the 30s for the weekend.  We are watching Sunday night into Monday closely for the possibility of a wintry mix that could impact travel for the Monday morning commute.  Keep checking back for updates on this potential.

Have a great night and stay warm.

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 First Alert Weather

Scattered Snow Showers Today. Bitter Cold WED AM.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Jackson and DeKalb Counties in Alabama and for Lincoln, Moore and Franklin Counties in Tennessee until 6pm today. While anyone in the Valley could see a snow shower today, those in the advisory have the greatest chance of seeing closer to 1” of snow accumulation.

Skies will stay cloudy today and scattered light snow showers will be ongoing. At times, bursts of heavier snow are possible. Accumulation will stay on the low side, with most areas seeing just a dusting to ½ inch on grassy and elevated surfaces. Winds will be strong through the day…out of the northwest around 15 mph. Isolated icy patches are possible, especially when the steadier snow is coming down and on secondary roads. Highs will barely get above freezing today, only warming into the mid 30s.

The strong wind will make it feel like it’s in the 20s all day. Any light snow should taper off this evening with skies remaining mostly cloudy overnight. Although we’re not expecting major travel issues, any problems this evening will still be around Wednesday morning.

Lows should fall to near 20° to begin Wednesday, and a north wind of 5-15 mph could produce wind chills as lows as the single digits. Despite the dangerous cold in the morning, we should be slightly warmer for the afternoon with mostly sunny skies. Highs will rebound into the upper 30s, but temps will drop back into the lower 20s overnight.

We’ll stay dry to start the weekend, but another round of cold can be expected. Highs will make it into the 40s for Thu/Fri…but will be back in the 30s over the weekend. We are watching the possibility of a wintry mix Sunday night into Monday. Be sure to check back for the latest on that.

-Meteorologist David Ernst

Snow Mixing with Rain this Afternoon

Skies will be mostly sunny for a few hours this morning with temperatures holding near 40.  Although you may see some sunshine right off the bat, it won’t last into the afternoon as an arctic cold front approaches. Scattered rain showers develop this afternoon with highs into the mid 40s. Snow could mix with the rain given how cold the air is aloft, but nothing would stick with temperatures well above freezing. It will be a breezy afternoon with sustained winds from the west at 10-15 mph and gusts to 25 mph.

Temperatures drop tonight, and lows should bottom out in the mid 20s. Snow flurries or even a brief snow shower are possible overnight, and isolated slick spots are possible Tuesday morning. Flurries or occasional light snow are possible throughout Tuesday along with breezy northwest winds. Many will see trace snow amounts up to a dusting, and that could lead to some travel issues. The best chance of seeing a half-inch to 1” of snow would be across southern Middle TN and the higher elevations northeastern AL.

Temperature stay cold on Tuesday…just making it into the mid 30s for a high. Lows will bottom out near 20° that night.  Clouds clear out into Wednesday and skies should be mostly sunny by the afternoon. Highs will make it closer to 40.

Temperatures continue warming as we finish the work week. Highs should be into the 40s on Thursday. Clouds increase for Friday, and there will be a slight chance for rain. Highs will be in the mid/upper 40s, but cooler weather can be expected over the weekend.

-Meteorologist David Ernst

First Alert Weather Day Friday. Accumulating Snow Possible.

First Alert Weather Day Friday for the potential of around 1" of snow across much of North Alabama and southern Tennessee.

Skies will stay cloudy today and highs should make it into mid 40s.  Our next big weather maker taking shape to our west today. As low pressure strengthens, rain showers will develop across the Valley…mainly during the afternoon. Moderate to heavy rain possible over the course of this evening and tonight. Many will see around 1-2” of rain. Temperatures won’t drop much tonight and will likely stay in the lower 40s.

So we’ll start Friday morning in the 40s, but that’s when our high will occur. Look for falling afternoon temperatures as the low passes to our east. As the cool air arrives, we are expecting rain to transition to snow.  At this time is looks like the rain will change to snow during the early afternoon in the Shoals, 4pm to 6pm in the Huntsville Metro area and 6pm to 8pm in areas of northeast Alabama.

Higher snowfall totals are possible if the low pressure center of the storm tracks farther south of the area. This is a trend we will continue to monitor. Of course if the low tracks a little farther north our totals will be less.

Forecast changes are a part of the process as we narrow in on the best forecast solution. Stay tuned to WAFF for the latest closings, delays and early dismissals. You can also find this information on our News app. Text apps to 4-48-48 for directions on how to download the free app.

Temperatures dip into the upper 20s for lows Saturday morning so any travel problems caused by snow will linger into Saturday. Skies will be mostly cloudy and temperatures will have a tough time making it above freezing…we’re going with a high around 34. We’ll see more sunshine on Sunday. We’ll start the morning in the lower 20s, but highs should recover into the mid/upper 40s. Another rain chance heads into the Valley early in the next work week.

Stay weather alert!

-Meteorologist David Ernst

First Alert Weather Day Friday. Potential for up to 1" of snow.

First Alert Weather Day Friday for the potential for up to 1” of snow across much of North Alabama and southern Tennessee. 

Dense fog will be a problem overnight tonight and will remain possible for the Thursday morning commute.  By late Thursday afternoon a rapidly developing storm system will bring widespread rain to the area.  Thunderstorms will be possible Thursday night into Friday morning but the severe weather threat will remain along the Gulf Coast.   After a round of 1-2” of heavy rain a changeover to snow will begin to take place late Friday morning from west to east across the Tennessee Valley.

At this time is looks like the rain will change to snow Friday between 11am and 1pm in the Shoals, 3pm to 5pm in the Huntsville Metro area and 5pm -7pm in areas of northeast Alabama.  Higher snowfall totals are possible if the low pressure center of the storm tracks farther south of the area.  This is a trend we will continue to monitor.  Of course if the low tracks a little farther north our totals will be less.  Forecast changes are a part of the process as we narrow in on the best forecast solution.   Stay tuned to WAFF for the latest closings, delays and early dismissals.  You can also find this information on our News app.  Text apps to 44848 for directions on how to download the free app.

Temperatures will drop below freezing late Friday afternoon and evening.  There will be a limited time for roads to dry before they freeze.  Any travel problems that develop will continue through Friday night and into Saturday morning.  Highs will barely get above freezing Saturday afternoon but some sunshine will help with road conditions.

The weekend looks dry with highs near 34 Saturday and close to 47 by Sunday.

Stay weather alert!

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 First Alert Weather

 

Heavy rain and thunderstorms followed by a chance for snow.

Clouds, mist, drizzle and fog will create some driving issues this evening.  Temperatures will be holding in the middle 30s this evening and overnight tonight so we don’t expect any freezing on area roads. 



We are tracking a major storm system that will bring a variety of weather to much of the southeast Thursday through Saturday and we are going to be right in the middle of it.  Strong to severe storms possible along the Gulf Coast, heavy rain and the possibility of accumulating snowfall for the Tennessee Valley.  There will be an area of heavy snow with this storm but the exact location of it will depend on the track of the main surface low of the storm.  Currently it is forecast to track right over North Alabama.  This puts the forecast heavy band of snow just to our northwest from north central Mississippi into central Tennessee.  Keep checking back for changes to the development and track of this storm system.  There are always changes when tracking a developing winter storm.



Right now we are expecting heavy rain to develop all across the area late Thursday afternoon and evening into Friday morning with temperatures in the 40s.  1-2” of rain is likely with some thunderstorms late Thursday night.  Late Friday morning the upper level part of the storm system will move over the area and colder air will begin to change the rain over to snow from west to east.  This will begin in the Shoals between 7-11 am and parts of the Huntsville Metro area as early as the Noon hour.   Areas of northeast Alabama could see snow by 3pm.   1-3” of snow will be possible before the storm begins to lift to the northeast.  The higher totals will likely be over Northwest Alabama.  Keep checking back this still depends on the exact track of the storm.  Any travel problems that develop will continue through the night and into Saturday morning.  If roads are a problem Saturday morning they will likely improve by late morning.

The weekend looks dry with highs near 38 Saturday and close to 47 by Sunday.

Stay weather alert!

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 First Alert Weather

An active week with some wintry weather and heavy rain.

A very cold night ahead.  Some areas stayed below freezing this afternoon and some areas will remain below freezing all day on Tuesday.  Morning lows will be around 14 degrees.  You should be taking precautions for the cold weather and make sure your home is ready for this hard freeze.  Unprotected pipes could burst.  It is advised to leave faucets dripping tonight.  Also make sure you check on your pets.  It is best to bring them inside on a night like this. 


Afternoon sunshine will warm temperatures into the lower 30s Tuesday afternoon. Look for increasing clouds Tuesday night.  Temperatures will fall into the lower to middle 20s ahead of a storm system that will bring in a chance for freezing rain/sleet and even some snow for the early morning hours on Wednesday. 

 

Since the roads, bridges and overpasses will be frozen it is possible we could have travel problems in the morning due to a quick glazing of ice.  By Wednesday afternoon it will all change to rain as temperatures warm into the upper 30s.  Keep checking back we may need to issue a First Alert Weather Day for Wednesday morning.




Rain returns Thursday afternoon and evening.  Some of the rain could be heavy at times.  Rain will fall Thursday night into Friday morning.  Late Friday temperatures will begin to drop and some of the rain could begin to change to snow.  Keep checking back for updates on this developing storm system.

Brad Travis
Chief Meteorologist
WAFF First Alert Weather

Drizzle and fog tonight. Some snow Sunday AM.

Drizzle and fog will move out late tonight as a cold front moves through the area.  Expect morning lows in the middle to upper 30s.  Saturday will be a cloudy day with highs in the middle 40s and a brisk northeast wind.




Saturday night into Sunday morning a developing surface low in the Gulf of Mexico will get stronger and begin to track NE into Florida.  This system will provide limited moisture for North Alabama.  Snow flurries and even some snow showers will be possible between 3-8am Sunday morning.  The best chance will be over NE Alabama.  At this time we don’t expect any accumulation.

Since this is a Gulf Low, and we will have cold air in place, we will continue to monitor it closely.  Temperatures will rise into the upper 30s and lower 40s later Sunday afternoon.

Monday looks cold as another Arctic Air Mass moves in.  Temperatures will barely get above freezing Monday afternoon.  By Tuesday morning the temperatures will be in the upper teens. 

A system moving in from the west on Wednesday could get here before the cold air retreats.  We are monitoring Wednesday for the possibility of a wintry mix.  Any moisture that arrives early could fall as snow/freezing rain and or sleet before changing to rain.  Stay tuned for changes there will likely be changes to this forecast.

Have a great weekend.

Brad Travis

Chief Meteorologist
WAFF 48 First Alert Weather

Little bit of Everything this Week

Isolated rain showers along with drizzle/mist will be ongoing across the Valley for your Monday.  Temperatures will be slow to warm with a north wind around 10 mph.  Those in northwest AL and southern TN will only make it into the low-to-mid 40s for highs while the HSV Metro and northeastern AL make it back to the mid and upper 40s.  A frontal boundary settles to our south through the day, keeping the cold air in place.

Overnight, that front lift back to the north as a warm front.  Our low should occur around midnight with temperatures warming through the early morning hours.

Scattered rain showers will be ongoing Tuesday.  Winds will be out of the south in the 10-15 mph neighborhood.  By the afternoon, highs will make it into the mid-to-upper 60s.  A few rumbles of thunder are possible.  A strong cold front will approach from the northwest overnight into Wednesday.

Our severe threat with this system remains low.  That being said, our window for stronger t'storms will be open from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.  Gusty winds would be the primary concern with any stronger t'storms overnight.  A brief, isolated tornado is not out of the question.

The bigger concern, and potential for more widespread significant impacts with this system is due wintry weather late Wednesday into Thursday.

A strong cold front pushes into the area Wednesday morning.  Winds switch around to north, and should be breezy behind the front.  Sustained winds could be as strong as 10-20 mph during the afternoon with stronger gusts.

Afternoon temperatures will fall throughout Wednesday.  We may start the morning near 60, but by 3 in the afternoon, temperatures could range between 35-40.  A cold rain will be ongoing during the afternoon.

Our concern then shifts to rain converting to freezing rain early Wednesday evening as surface temperatures drop below 32.  That change happens first in northwestern AL and moves southeast with time through Wednesday evening.

Freezing rain could be ongoing for several hours in the Valley overnight.  Although it's a little too early to pinpoint exact totals, some may see upwards of 0.25" of ice overnight.  By Thursday morning, any moisture left will change briefly to sleet and then to all snow.

Snow amounts should be minimal, but 1-2" of snow can't be ruled out for Thursday morning.  The highest totals should occur towards the Shoals where the change to snow happens first.

The potential exists for significant disruptions to travel Thursday morning.  Areas that see more ice may also be looking at power outages as well.

This is still a developing system...it's important to check back later in the week for more updates.  In the near future, a winter storm watch may be issued.  Later in the week, if wintry weather continues to look likely, that watch would be upgraded to warnings and advisories.

-Meteorologist David Ernst


 

Record Snowfall

The snow may have been delayed an hour or two from what our initial forecast was, but once it started, man did it ever come down!!

Several heavy snow bands set up across the Valley Wednesday and many areas saw more than 5" of snow with some closer to a foot.

Based on official and un-official reports, this map will give you a rough idea of where the most snow fell.  There will be some locations with more or less than the contours show.

Now that all this snow is here, what's next?

Most of our major, well-traveled roads have or will go from slushy to wet today.  Any sun will help.  We'll see black ice problems Friday morning if these roads don't dry completely; lows should be in the low 20s.

A lot of secondary/county roads in areas that saw the more impressive snow totals will remain hazardous through this afternoon and into Friday morning.  We should see more sunshine Friday, but a re-enforcing shot of cold air arriving today will actually make Friday a cooler afternoon.  Highs should stay in the mid 30s.

As mentioned before, any sun will help alleviate travel problems.  We should see more of that sun Friday compared to Thursday.  Most major roads will be fine Friday afternoon, but there could still be some secondary roads (especially at higher elevations or in shadier spots) that remain slushy.  

With warmer conditions over the weekend (highs near 50 on Sunday) expect all the snow to be completely gone by Monday...if not sooner.

-Meteorologist David Ernst