WBRC Weather

2012 Begins Cold

Temperatures were quite comfortable today with highs reaching 66 in Birmingham, 68 in Tuscaloosa, 67 in Alabaster, and 65 in Anniston!  This is the last of the mild weather at least for the near future.  A strong cold front is going to usher in the coldest weather so far this season.

During the overnight - we'll see increasing clouds with a few spotty showers possible.  In fact, with the help of a strong southerly flow temperatures will warm a bit before daybreak.  Rainfall amounts will be very light, but could continue through early New Year's Day.  The warmer temperatures will occur during the morning hours.

New Year's Day will begin with cloudy skies with patches of drizzle and light rain.  Temperatures will fall into the 40s during the afternoon with clearing skies.  The overnight lows will dip into the upper 20s with Monday's highs only reaching the mid 40s. Cold high pressure will take hold through Thursday.  Temperatures Tuesday morning will fall into the upper teens and lower 20s.  Expect the return of rain by next weekend.

Happy New Year!

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

Weather Made for Flying

Calm winds, comfortable temperatures in the 60s, a cloudless sky with nearly endless visibility is what pilots live for.  Here are some pictures we took today on our trip to Kennesaw, GA.

Anniston from 3,000ft.

 Stemley Bridge near Pell City

 Part of Logan Martin Lake

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

AN ACTIVE WEATHER YEAR - 2011

(APRIL 27th Tornado Tracks)

As the year comes to a close the weather events that have taken place in 2011 will be talked about for years to come. Not only did we experience one of the biggest tornado outbreaks in history, we experienced multiple forms of severe weather.

Every year we may face one or two threats of wintry weather and last year it seemed like we were talking about ice or snow every other week. During the Christmas season light snow fell across the area but this brush with winter weather pales in comparison to the event that happened in January 2011. The first winter storm of 2011, the 9th and 10th event, produced 1 to 14 inches of snow north of I-20. Up to a half inch of ice was reported along and south of I-20. The ice caused travel nightmares for football fans trying to make it to the BCS National Championship Game. Another snow event followed on February 9th, with over 4 inches of snow measured in parts of Lamar and Marion Counties.

After February 9th we made a seamless transition into an active severe weather season. The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes associated with severe storms on February 24th and 28th. This was followed by ry heavy rainfall events in March. On March 5th and 6th up to three inches of rain fell across portions of Fayette, Winston, and Cullman counties. This kicked off a period where flooding was an issue across our area. A potent storm system dumped over five inches of rain during the March 8th and 9th time period. Severe storm also returned for this particular event.

After March we made the transition into the history making month of April. Tornadoes and high winds were reported on April 11th and April 15th. Major damage had occurred in Tuscaloosa on April 15th as a tornado touched down near the VA Hospital. There were 29 confirmed tornadoes on April 15th. Soon after, severe thunderstorms impacted Alabama on April 20th. Multiple bowing thunderstorm segments produced damaging straight-line winds across our state.

Just when you thought we’d seen our share of active weather, one of the largest tornado outbreaks in United States History happened. On April 27th there were 27 confirmed tornadoes in our area and 62 confirmed tornadoes state-wide. On the 27th we faced not only one but two rounds of active weather that started with a morning round of severe storms and tornadoes. In the following weeks the weather pattern shifted into summer mode. This sudden change made for some harsh conditions with regard to recovery efforts as 90-degree heat developed across the state.

The bright spot in the summer weather setup was that most of the named tropical systems remained at sea during the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season. It appeared as though we would dodge a tropical threat but then Lee popped up. This was a unique tropical storm in that it evolved into a mid-latitude storm after landfall. Much like a monster Nor-easter, the storm system tracked across Alabama producing strong gradient winds and heavy rainfall. People were trapped in their vehicles because of the flash flooding caused by this storm. Thousands also lost power as the high winds associated with Lee’s remnants crossed the state. A 63 mph wind gust was measured in Birmingham.

After an active weather year in Alabama, let’s hope that the New Year will bring less-active weather to our wonderful state. The National Weather Service has compiled a list of links with detailed reports for each of the major weather events of 2011…to visit the site, click here. Happy New Year!

Wes Wyatt

Fox 6 Meteorologist

wwyatt@wbrc.com

Saturday Forecast Discussion

(We want to thank Brian Brister for sharing this beautiful December morning picture. This image was captured Wednedsay at the Ledges neighborhood off of Weatherly Drive in Alabaster. Fog has developed during the past several mornings.)

If you wanted to get an early start on taking down the outdoor decorations, today is your day. It’s going to be beautiful across the entire state. Highs will reach the upper 60s, with a mostly sunny sky. Unfortunately this milder weather won’t last long because a cold front is about to bring big temperature changes.

A cold front will sweep into the state after midnight and this will bring us a very small chance of a shower. The main window for rain will be between midnight and 5:00 AM. This is a very moisture starved system and I wouldn't be surprised if no rain developed overnight. There will be an increase in clouds overnight, with some clearing tomorrow morning. Colder air will be settling in on a gusty north wind tomorrow and we will have falling temperatures throughout the day. You can expect one of those tricky temperature days where the high will actually occur during the early morning hours. Later in the day the temperature will tumble into the low 50s and 40s.

A cold air mass will settle into Alabama for the start of next week, with highs only in the 40s and lows in the 20s. A slow warming trend will begin around the middle of next week and this should continue through next Saturday. We’re expecting another cold front to enter the state late next week and this will bring our next chance of rain on Saturday the 7th.

Wes Wyatt

Fox 6 Meteorologist

wwyatt@wbrc.com

Another Foggy Start

We kicked off the day with some dense fog over parts of the area. This was the morning view from our Japser webcam in Walker County. The fog should give way to a beautiful Saturday across the area. We will be talking about a blast of colder air in the forecast on Fox 6 News Saturday morning.

Wes Wyatt

Fox 6 Meteorologist

wwyatt@wbrc.com

We had a weak front move through the state today.  You may have noticed a few more clouds this afternoon.  High temperatures actually reached the upper 60s.  We'll see temperatures fall into the lower 40s tonight.  Etowah, Cherokee, and Blount Counties will actually fall into the upper 30s.  Temperatures will again be warm Saturday.  Highs will reach the upper 60s with mostly sunny skies.

New Year's Eve: Partly cloudy with mild temperatures.  The temperature at midnight will be around 57 degrees.  Clouds will increase during the overnight.

New Year's Day: Mostly cloudy during the morning with a passing shower.  A cold front will move through during the day.  Highs will reach the upper 50s.  The GFS indicates some light rain from about 4am through noon.  The NAM stays dry.  You can see the comparisons.





Colder temperatures are expected next week.  A trough will dig deep into the Southeast.  Expect overnight lows Monday morning around 28.  Highs Monday afternoon will reach the mid 40s.  It will be even colder Tuesday morning with lows a chilly as the upper teens in a few places.

Have a great weekend and Happy New Year!

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

Warmer For A Few Days

Expect highs in the 60's as we wrap up the Old Year and begin The New.

But don't get too accustomed to the warm weather as an Arctic Outbreak is about to drop the mercury into the 20's by the beginning of next week.

In the meantime, the New Year's weekend still looks mild, temperature wise, with a chance for some rain on New Year's Day.

The good early morning news...no fog and warmer temperatures...so Enjoy!

Fred Hunter
FOX6 Meteorologist
fhunter@wbrc.com

Tornadoes of 2011

Forecast Update - Another Sunny Day

Temperatures have been right on track the last couple of days - morning lows around freezing with decent rebounds during the afternoon.  Today is no exception.  As I look out the window - I'm seeing nothing, but blue sky.  High pressure will remain in control through the next several days with a nice warming trend.  We are going to close out 2011 on a warm note and blast into January with some frigid temperatures.

Short-Term Forecast: Expect sunshine to continue through the afternoon with highs around 58.  Temperatures may climb into the lower 60s in our western counties.  For tonight - a few high clouds may stream in with temperatures falling into the lower 40s.  Etowah, Cherokee, Cullman, and Blount Counties will likely see temperatures fall into the upper 30s.  We'll hit the mid 60s with more sunshine tomorrow.

New Year's Weekend:  Forecast will be very comfortable on Saturday.  You might even want to fire up the grill.  Plenty of sunshine with highs in the upper 60s.  Winds will gradually pick up during the afternoon out of the southeast ahead of a cold front.  We may see a few clouds Saturday night.  Around midnight - expect temperatures around 58.  New Year's Day will be cloudy with an occasional shower expected mainly before 1pm.  The GFS is forecasting very light rainfall amounts.

Highs will be noticeably cooler reaching the upper 50s.

Frigid 2012:  Expect big changes Monday and Tuesday as dense cold air settles into the state.  We'll see sunshine on Monday with highs in the mid 40s.  Lows Monday night into Tuesday will fall in the upper teens and lower 20s.  You can see that pool of cold air depicted on the GFS output for 6am Tuesday.

Brace yourself for brief cold snap. Looks like sunshine for much of the work week with a slow warm up.

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

 

The Fog Burns Away

Had some reports of drivers pulling over this morning until the fog burned away. Probably a really good idea. Now...expect sunshine to continue warming us to near 60-degrees. Enjoy. More cold air is on the way.

Lows will be in the 20s next week with highs ranging from 45-53.

There is a slight chance for showers, probably in the morning hours New Year's morning..followed by a solid down turn in both afternoon highs and overnight lows.

 

Fred Hunter

FOX6 Meteorologist

fhunter@wbrc.com