WBRC Weather

Weekend Snow Watch

We've been fine-tuning the forecast for this weekend.  If you haven't heard, there is a threat for snowfall late Friday into Saturday.  The forecast rumor-mill is probably a bit more interesting than the actually forecast.  This particular system is very moisture starved which means little in the way of measurable precipitation.  However, what we are lacking in moisture we are making up in cold air.  The 540 thickness line makes its all the way to Florida this weekend.

The best chance for seeing a dusting of snowfall (mainly in the grassy areas) will be areas north of I-20.  Many places will not even see any snowfall accumulate.  If you are traveling to Northeast Alabama including Jackson and Dekalb Counties - it's possible you could see 1+" of snowfall because of the higher elevations.

Our RPM model is indicating the best chance of snowfall to occur between 3am and 7am Saturday.  The most accumulation based on the model would be areas East of I-65.  We are not anticipating travel issues since the window for snowfall will be very short-lived.


The threat for snowfall should end Saturday afternoon with clearing skies toward the evening.  Highs on Saturday will reach the lower 40s with overnight lows Sunday morning falling into the mid 20s.  Sunday looks primarily sunny with highs in the mid 40s.

We'll keep you updated.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6

Partly Cloudy...Cooler Today

Look for lots of sunshine today.  It is expected to be a bit cooler this afternoon than it was yesterday.  Under partly cloudy skies, expect highs to only top out in the upper 40s.  Tonight should bring increasing cloud cover and lows in the low 30s.

Friday will likely be mostly cloudy, with chance of light snow Friday night into Saturday.  Some areas could see a dusting of snow.  Upper elevations of north Alabama could see up to 1/2 inch on grassy areas.  No travel problems are expected on our roadways.

The second half of the weekend looks sunny and cold...Monday too.

Tuesday brings our next best chance of rainfall.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Snow this weekend?

(Weatherbell Analytics, LLC)

There has been some buzz about a little snow around here Friday or Saturday.  We are going into a very cold pattern (if we were in this pattern back in January when the sun angle was lower, we might see highs in the 20s).  Re-inforcing shots of cold air associated with upper-level disturbances will move in Friday and Saturday.  Upper-level disturbances tend to lift the atmosphere, causing precipitation.  However, two things will hold back any significant snow.  First of all, the air moving in is very dry.  Secondly, as cold air moves in, it tends to move downward (denser air taking over lighter air), so that often cancels out the effect of an upper-level disturbance.  This is why we usually get big snowfalls when the cold air is already here.

That is not to say we won't get any snow.  Anytime during the day on Friday and Saturday, a few showers could pop up, and the atmosphere will be plenty cold enough for it to fall as snow (850 mb temperatures near 20).  A few spots may see a dusting, and some of the higher elevations of northeast Alabama may see up to 1".  But, unless something changes, no major snowfall is expected, and no widespread travel problems in the BHM area are expected either.

The big story will be the cold.  It is 57 degrees at BHM right now.  With cloudy skies and windy conditions, it will stay in the 40s all day tomorrow and Friday, with wind chills in the lower 30s at times.  By the weekend, temperatures for most of the day will be in the 30s, with wind chills in the 20s.  Morning lows will drop into the mid 20s, and wind chills this weekend during the early morning hours could be in the teens!

Dr. Tim Coleman

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Partly Cloudy Today

Finally some sunshine to be seen again.  Clouds are on the move this morning as a massive system, now affecting the Ohio Valley with snow showers, begins to loosen it's hold on us.  Look for partly cloudy skies today with highs in the 50s to low 60s.

Tonight should be mostly clear with lows near 33.

Thursday should be partly cloudy and cooler.

Look for increasing clouds Friday with a slight chance of precipitation Friday night into Saturday in the form of light snowfall...so light that many of us may not see anything at all.  Others could see a dusting of snow.

Sunday into Monday should be dry again with clear to partly cloudy skies and colder air.

Another chance of rain is on the horizon for next Tuesday into Wednesday morning. 

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Winter keeps coming...

This winter has been chilly.  That's the best way to describe it.  We have not had any days where it never went above freezing, no lows below 20, etc., so no big Arctic air.  But, we have seen many days with highs in the 40s and clouds and wind. 

A cold front moved through Alabama early this morning, and the winds have really been bringing in the colder air today.  The big upper trough over the eastern half of the country will hold through the weekend, with reinforcing shots of cold air coming in.  It will get gradually colder through the end of the week and this weekend.  But Saturday and Sunday, high temperatures may struggle to reach the lower 40s.  Below is the model forecast temperatures for the next 7 days.

Tomorrow will be OK, with a high above 50, but then we may not go above 50 again until next Monday.  Over the weekend, highs will be near 40 with lows in the 20s.  And, it will be windy over the next 2 or 3 days.  Not ideal for little league baseball practice getting started, etc.!

Dr. Tim Coleman

Variably Cloudy, Sprinkles

Wrap around moisture today in the form of clouds and a few sprinkles are expected to move through our area.  Look for highs in the low 50s and winds out of the southwest at 10-20 miles per hour.

Tonight should bring clearing skies and lows into the mid 30s.

Wednesday and Thursday should be partly cloudy with morning temps in the low to mid 30s...highs in the 50s.

Look for increasing clouds on Friday with a very slight chance of light snowfall for Friday night into the day Saturday and little to no accumulation. 
Partly cloudy skies should return Sunday into Monday.

Another chance of rainfall is on the horizon for Tuesday of next week.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Forecast Looks Wet and Windy

I think we're in good shape tonight in regards to a severe weather threat.  The heavy precipitation and stronger thunderstorms to the south are cutting off much of the instability here.  This is good news.  Dewpoint temperatures will likely remain in the upper 40s and lower 50s during the overnight.  This will prevent severe weather from developing.

The RPM model is predicting widespread rain during the overnight and we may continue to see rain (mainly light) through the early morning hours Tuesday.

I think we have two primary threats tonight. 

1) High winds.  We will likely see gradient winds in excess of 30mph with gusts possibly up to 40mph.  Make sure you have it anchored down tonight and pickup any loose items in the yard.  I would also discourage you from parking underneath trees if possible.

2) Flooding.  We are well above normal in rainfall.  It looks like we could see some localized flooding during the overnight hours.  Use caution when driving over water covered roads.

It will remain cloudy on Tuesday with sunshine returning on Thursday and Friday.  A deepening trough over the East will bring cold temperatures just in time for the weekend.

Sunshine is expected for most of Saturday and Sunday.

J-P dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6

Tornado Watch Until 10pm

Heavy Rain and Gusty Winds Forecast Tonight

It appears we will dodge the bullet when it comes to widespread severe weather today.  The highest risk of storms will remain confined to the south and to the west of us.  I'm particularly concerned about areas south of Montgomery including Enterprise, Mobile and Dothan.  This is where the highest tornado risk is tonight.

Locally, I would encourage everyone to bring in loose items in the lawn and avoid parking under trees is possible.  I know that may sound crazy, but with the wet ground it would not take much wind to knock over trees.  So far, the Birmingham airport has recorded over 5" of rainfall.  That's about 1.22" above average.  Here's what to expect tonight:

1) Winds sustained at 25-30mph with peak gusts over 40mph
2) Heavy rain.  Rainfall may total over 1"
3) Frequent lightning and small hail possible

The peak time for the active weather will be from 6pm until 1am. 

We'll keep you updated.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: @jpdice_Fox6