WBRC Weather

THIS WEEK'S PATTERN

If you like warm weather - this is the Winter is for you!  We had a few mornings with lows in the upper 20s and now we're back into a warming trend.

Last week - I did a blog post based on the forecast from the Climate Prediction Center and it looks like the next three months will be above average in terms of temperatures.  I think we'll head straight from Winter into Spring without anyone noticing.  We will continue to see a few brief cold snaps, but I do not think we'll have anything long lasting.

Temperatures this week will continue to climb into the mid to upper 60s.  A few locations will actually reach 70 by Wednesday and Thursday.  While the forecast is going to be a bit unsettled, no severe storms are expected.  A weak front is expected to move through by Thursday.  We are going to be a bit starved for instability so very few thunderstorms are expected.  This setup does not look like a washout with hit and miss showers.

Friday should be dry with more widespread showers and storms expected on Saturday.  Again - I'm not seeing anything indicating severe storms at this point.  We will keep you posted.

James-Paul Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: jpdice_Fox6

More Spring-like Weather

Here we go again with more Spring-like weather.  January, 2012 is going down as a strange one isn't it? 
Look for highs today in the mid 60s under Sunny Skies.
Tonight:  Mostly clear with lows near 40.

On Tuesday, our ridge of high pressure should weaken as it shifts away from us, opening the door for a few more clouds to build in.  Temperatures continue to be mild.

On Wednesday a cold front is expected to begin pushing our way.  Look for mostly cloudy skies with a chance of showers developing Wednesday night into Thursday.  This is a weak frontal passage.  No severe weather is anticipated.  Clouds will likely linger through Friday.

Extended forecast models differ, but at this point, we are expecting a chance of rain and thunderstorms on Saturday.  The system appears to be rather fast moving and most of the moisture should be gone before Sunday.  However, clouds will likely linger through Sunday with partly cloudy skies going into Monday.

Have a great day!

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Cold Air Lingers

Expect one more morning with below average temperatures, but as the high pressure responsible for our sunny, cool weekend begins to shift east, a southerly wind flow returns bringing moisture back across Alabama and re-introducing a chance for rain as a frontal boundry approaches mid-week.

In the meantime, a Fire Weather Watch continues due to the low humidity for Monday, but the moisture increase should ease those dangers by Tuesday.

Wednesday we see rain returning along with the possibility for a rumble or two of thunder, with rain chances lingering through the early part of the weekend.

The long-range forecast models are also hinting at another shot of cold air by the end of next weekend so we're not quite through dealing with winter just yet!

Of course, we'll know more by Thursday...Groundhog Day!  That's when we get the real forecast for the remaining days of winter.

Fred Hunter

FOX6 Meteorologist

fhunter@wbrc.com

A Bright Start To The New Week-Sunday Forecast Discussion

(HPC SURFACE MAP/ANALYSIS)

We’re thawing out after a cold Saturday night across Alabama. A dry frontal passage took place yesterday and this helped to bring a large swing in temperatures. Parts of our area reached the low to mid 60s yesterday and these same locations dipped into the 20s this morning. Today is going to be another bright and sunny day, with a lighter west-southwest breeze. Temperatures will top out near 58-degrees today, with a light freeze tonight. Despite the recent rainfall, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for our area today and this means that dangerous burn conditions will be in place.

We’re going to enjoy some great weather for tomorrow and Tuesday, with afternoon highs in the upper 60s. Some areas to the southwest may reach the 70-degree mark on Tuesday. It still looks like a cold front will approach the state on Wednesday, with a return chance of rain for our area. At this time we’re expecting about a 40% chance of showers for the area. The front will stall nearby and this should keep us cloudy through the rest of the work-week.

The chance of rain should increase again during the Thursday/Friday time frame as some energy helps force the front southward. There may be a few thunderstorms in the mix and the good thing is that the severe weather parameters look very marginal at this time. Given the unseasonably warm conditions and the active pattern, I would certainly check-in with us throughout the week as we fine tune the forecast. The models do show this system departing next weekend, with much colder air and clouds wrapping in from the north on Saturday. There could be a few showers or sprinkles on Saturday; however, Sunday looks to be a dry day.  

Wes Wyatt-Fox 6 Meteorologist

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Beautiful Sunday Morning Sunrise

We're waking up to 20-degree lows this morning, with a big coating of frost. I wanted to share this excellent sunrise shot from our Winfield camera in Marion County. I'm giving this shot a perfect 10 out of my 1-10 sunrise scale! Fox 6 News Sunday morning is on now, join us for a complete look at the forecast. This will also be streaming Live-online at foxalabamalive.com.

Wes Wyatt-Fox 6 Meteorologist

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Cool-Calm-Sunny

We are about due for some calmer conditions and we'll even see some below normal overnight lows, if only for a couple of days.

Expect high fire dangers due to winds and low humidity Sunday, though, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 am until 6 pm.

Temperatures begin to moderate by next week, and a chance for rain returns by Wednesday.

But...the really good news...No severe weather on the horizon.

Be careful with fire!

Fred Hunter

FOX6 Meteorologist

fhunter@wbrc.com

Saturday Forecast Discussion

(Visible Satellite Image 8:45 AM)

Temperatures for the most part stayed above freezing last night but it was still cold enough for the start of this Saturday. The forecast for today looks great, with plenty of sunshine expected. High temperatures for later today will top out near 60-degrees, with lows in the upper 20s tonight. A cold front is on the way but this will be a dry frontal passage. Dry weather will be the story through the start of next week but we are still in a very active pattern. The dry weather should last through Tuesday and that should give our yards enough time to dry out. Temperatures will also make a nice recovery by Tuesday, with afternoon highs back in the middle to upper 60s.

Models show our next chance of rain arriving on Wednesday as a cold front enters Alabama. This particular front may stall as the upper air pattern switches to more of a southwest to northeast orientation. This would set the stage for cloudy conditions through Friday, along with more rainfall. A few thunderstorms may develop by Thursday night due to the increased low level instabilities. Highs will be flirting with the 70-degree mark in some areas on Thursday. Enjoy your Saturday!

WEATHER HISTORY: The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after liftoff on this date in 1986, killing all seven crew members. After a comprehensive examination it was determined that the cold weather on the day contributed to an O-ring failure.

Wes Wyatt-Fox 6 Meteorologist

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Early Morning Update

Good morning! I wanted to share this beautiful view from our Beach Club camera in Gulf Shores. We're starting off the day on a sunny note, state-wide. Temperatures this morning are in the mid 30s and we will warm into the 50s today. A few clouds will move across the state today as a cold front arrives. This front will bring a reinforcing shot of cool/dry air. Stay tuned for our morning discussion that will include more information on our next rainmaker.

Wes Wyatt

Fox 6 Meteorologist

wwyatt@wbrc.com

Twitter: weswyattweather

Weather in the Classroom Visit to Joseph Bruno Montessori School

I was at the Joseph Bruno Montessori School in Birmingham today.  I talked to the four and five year-olds about weather and aviation.  I even showed them few flying videos and how weather impacts aviation.  The students had a lot of severe weather questions  One of our goals during the Weather in the Classroom visits is to educate teachers and students about weather safety.



If you'd like Fox 6 to come to your school - please drop me a line via email at jdice@wbrc.com.

 

Sunny and Much Colder

Temperatures remained in the 50s today across much of the state.  As we move into the weekend - we can expect some dramatically colder weather.  It will be clear tonight and with all of the rain we've received this week - I'm confident you will see some patchy dense fog develop.  This fog will likely linger through at least 9am.

During the day Saturday another cold front will slide through the area.  You will probably notice a few clouds as the front passes, but no rain.  This front will give us a reinforcing shot of cold and dry air.  Highs Saturday will reach around 60 with temperatures falling into the mid 20s by Sunday morning.  On Sunday - temperatures will reach the mid 50s.

The long range forecast is calling for a gradually warming trend with a few more clouds Monday and Tuesday, but we still should remain dry.  Highs will reach the lower to mid 60s.  Expect rain to return to the area Wednesday with the possibility of stronger storms by Thursday.  Models are indicating the return of some moisture and instability.  There is no indication of a severe weather outbreak, but more than likely a setup similar to Thursday...heavy rain and a few marginal storms.

Beyond Thursday - I think we'll experience a brief cool down for next weekend with lows again around freezing.

Have a great weekend!

James-Paul Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: jdice@wbrc.com