WBRC Weather

Saturday Forecast Discussion-Weekend Sunshine

(VIPIR BAMS MODEL GUIDANCE FOR TUESDAY)

Most areas woke up to temperatures that were at-least 30 to 40 degrees colder than yesterday morning. Despite this big cool down we will still enjoyed a pleasant day, with lighter winds and bright sunshine. The National Weather Service has sent out a Red Flag Alert to notify you that burning is not advised in this drier setup.  Tomorrow and Monday will also be bright days, with temperatures steadily warming. It is going to remain a bit chilly at night, with lows in the middle 30s.

Our next storm system will start impacting the state on Tuesday. Moisture will lift in causing an increase in clouds and rain. There could be a rumble of thunder if we see enough elevated instability.  This system will have more fuel to work with so we’re concerned about thunderstorms on Wednesday and the possibility of strong storms. We’ll keep you posted as we get closer to Wednesday but at this time we at-least wanted to give you a heads-up.

Thursday will be an in-between day, with a period of sunshine and a slight cool down. Another storm system will bring a chance of storms on Friday and this system will likely impact us late in the day and Friday night. Some rain could linger into next Saturday morning.  We’ll keep you posted!

Wes Wyatt-Fox 6 Meteorologist

Follow Me on Twitter@weswyattweather

LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE UPDATES

Overnight Development

This is the latest output from our high resolution Microcast forecast model.  The model suggests some development ahead of the cold front around 3-4am.  The model is also indicating considerable rain and thunderstorm development in the Montgomery and Auburn areas near daybreak.

Hail, gusty winds, and lightning are possible with this system.  Tornado threat remains very low.

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

Warm and Windy Thursday...

It's feeling like Spring today with temperatures expected to soar into the upper 70s this afternoon.   Visible satellite imagery is showing sunshine across much of the state.

A strong surface cold front is parked to the west across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.  Temperatures behind the front are about 15 degrees cooler.  The front is not expected to clear the state until early Friday morning.  A strong southerly wind at between 20-25mph is transporting warm moist air.  This will increase instability.  The main dynamics with this system are expected to stay to the north across the Ohio Valley.

What about a severe weather threat?  We've got a strong capping inversion in place this afternoon and evening.  It's going to be tough to break the cap.  The inversion may even limit our rain chances tonight.  In fact, I think we will see some areas with not a drop of rain.  I've reduced the overall rain chances quite a bit.  Our high resolution Microcast model is still indicating the best chance of severe weather across the Tennessee Valley and northward to Tennessee and Kentucky.  I'd particularly pay close attention to Cullman, Blount, Etowah, and Cherokee Counties in the Fox 6 viewing area.

Primary Threat:  We will be watching closely for damaging winds and with the colder air aloft we can easily get some hail with any thunderstorm that develops.  It's quite likely a few storms may produce winds over 60mph.

Timing:  I think we need to really start watching this system after 8pm and through perhaps midnight.  The instability should disappear considerably after midnight.  Overnight lows will fall into the upper upper 40s and lower 50s.

It's possible we could still see some thunderstorms early Friday morning with clearing skies by Friday afternoon.  Temperatures will be considerably cooler during the afternoon with highs around 60.

We'll keep you updated through the afternoon here on Fox 6.

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

 

Severe Weather Threat Downgraded by SPC

Just an update regarding today's severe storms that will make many of us feel better - the Storm Prediction Center only has a minimal risk for severe storms across the area.  Honestly - I think many of us will have trouble just getting some rain out of this system.  The atmosphere will remain capped through the afternoon and much of the evening.  The forcing from the cold front itself will result in some storms developing after sunset.  The best dynamics - just like the models has been indicating - will be to our north across the Tennessee Valley.

We'll monitor our northern fringe counties very closely this evening.  If you live in Marion, Winston, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, or Cherokee Counties - you will have a slightly higher risk for severe storms.  The primary threat with this system will be hail and high winds.  The tornado threat is minimal.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the wonderful Spring-like temperatures today with highs in the upper 70s.

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

Free Statewide Weather Alert System

Baron Services in Huntsville has teamed up with the State of Alabama to provide a service called Safe-T-Net.  The best news - the service is free.  Baron Services is the developer of two of our storm-tracking systems here at Fox 6 - VIPIR and FasTrac. 

Safe-T-Net offers some unique advantages including the ability not just to provide official warnings, but also alert you to developing weather situtions and near-severe storms.   We all know there is a need to be alerted to storms that may be strong, but beneath official NWS 58mph and/or 1" hail criteria.

The Safe-T-Net Service also has the ability to call you at home and also provide monitoring for up to four different locations.  GPS based services for mobile phones is also available.

Keep in mind - this service is not a replacement for the Fox 6 Weather app.  Safe-T-Net is just part of an alert system.  It does not provide a forecast.  In addition, I recommend multiple layers of warning services including NOAA weather radios.

Sign-up for SAFE-T-Net by going to our website at www.myfoxal.com

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

1 PM Press Conference at MYFOXAL.COM

Governor Bentley will hold a news conference at 1PM to announce a new statewide severe weather alert service. You will be able to watch this conference live on our website at MyFoxAL.com. This conference will be held at Baron Services in Huntsville, AL. Our company, Raycom Media, will also be heavily involved with this alert service so we will be sharing a lot more information later today. Stay tuned for that announcement…

Secondly, a test severe weather alert was sent out today at 9AM. If you own a NOAA Weather Radio and were not home when this alert was issued, there should be a test message on your radio when you get home. We will be in Sylacauga through 6:30 PM today at the Walgreens programming NOAA Weather Radios. The Midland-100 model will also be for sale at the Walgreens so you can also purchase a radio if you don’t already have one.  

Wes Wyatt-Fox 6 Meteorologist

Follow Me on Twitter@weswyattweather

LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE UPDATES

Announcement Coming Tomorrow - Free Statewide Alert Service

We will be able to share more information with you coming up tomorrow.  But, this is the announcement from Governor Bentley's Office.

"Governor Bentley will hold a news conference Wednesday in Huntsville to announce a new statewide severe weather alert service. The news conference will begin at 1 p.m. and you will be able to watch it live on our website, MyFoxAL.com. Just look for the link at the top of our website shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday."

Fox 6 Weather Visits Buhl & Northside

J-P and I had a big day in West Alabama, visiting two schools. First off we visited Buhl Elementary School. This community is between Coker and Elrod, in the western part of Tuscaloosa County. We spoke to the 1^st and 2^nd grade students. We showed them the inner workings of the Fox 6 Storm Tracker. We also talked about Fox 6 television and severe weather safety. We want to thank Patricia White for the invitation. 

We also want to thank Cathy During for inviting us to Northside Middle School to speak to the 8^th grade students. The weather was perfect for the drive along the western bypass to highway 43 north. Our topics for the visit near Samantha were more focused on careers in meteorology and weather safety. We will be sharing some scenes from each visit tonight and also on our Saturday morning show.

Wes Wyatt-Fox6 Meteorologist

Twitter @weswyattweather

Warmer Temperatures and Watching Thursday

It was a gorgeous Monday with just a few high clouds today.  Temperatures reached the lower 60s.  Our next system will move through during the overnight.  Don't expect much more than a few clouds and perhaps as brief shower.  The best chance of rain will likely be closer to the Tennessee line.  We'll see a good return of warm air and moisture over the next several days.

Expect temperatures to climb into the mid 60s Tuesday.  We will likely see cloudy skies to start the day, but clearing is expected by the afternoon.  Temperatures Wednesday will be even warmer with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s.

Severe Threat: I'm watching Thursday very closely.  Highs during the afternoon will reach the lower 70s.  It's quite possible we could see some strong to severe storms in the state after sunset.  I'm not overly concerned about our immediate viewing area right now.  I think the greatest threat for severe storms will impact the Tennessee Valley to the west in Memphis and even the Nashville area.  The highest wind shear and instability will remain to our west and north.  In fact, I have significant concern for those areas.  We could see stronger tornadoes develop.


We will likely see a good threat (mainly west of I-65) of strong winds and hail.  Strong to severe storms will develop ahead of the front and will likely weaken as they move east. The system will exit by Friday with colder temperatures arriving just in time for the weekend.

Sunshine is likely for the weekend with highs only in the 50s and morning lows int the lower to mid 30s.

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week.  It's a good time to make sure your NOAA weather radio is working properly with fresh batteries.  I have posted a video that will help with the programming.  You will see the video in the top right corner of this page.In addition, I recommend everyone have a severe weather plan that is ready to go when a warning is issued.

Have a great evening!

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

 

Gorgeous Sky Over Centreville