WVUA Weather Discussion 3:28 PM

It doesn’t take long to get too hot in this kind of weather! We’re going to be coping with excessive heat for about the next 3 to 4 days. At the time of this posting the temperature was 90 degrees, but it was feeling more like 94 according to the heat index. We can attribute this high value to the moisture in the air and after sunset this will set the stage for a very muggy Friday night. The radar has been rather quiet this afternoon, although a stray storm fired up over northern Dallas County around 2:00 p.m. For the most part dry weather will continue tonight and through the day tomorrow. We will have some great pool-side weather for tomorrow, with a partly to mostly sunny sky overhead. I can’t rule out a stray thunderstorm, however if a storm develops it won’t last long in this type of environment.

An upper air ridge continues to dominate the southern Plains and a good portion of the southeast. The National Weather Service observations over the Texas Panhandle and southwest Oklahoma today showed afternoon temperatures ranging between 100 and 109 degrees. Thankfully, we’re not experiencing heat like this in West Alabama. Radar imagery over our state yesterday painted a clear picture of where the ridge was having its greatest influence. West Alabama was rain free, with numerous afternoon storms over East Alabama. Today the greatest development has been in areas southeast of Tuscaloosa. Rain will be hard to find tomorrow but on Sunday I think we could see a few more isolated afternoon thunderstorms over West Alabama. A disturbance riding in from the northwest will help to weaken the ridge on Sunday. By Monday and Tuesday, the ridge will tighten its grip again, with more hot and humid weather. Long range data is showing the ridge retreating by next Thursday and Friday and this would create a better opportunity for afternoon thunderstorms. We will have more details for you first at four, and tonight at five, six, and ten!

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Thursday Afternoon Weather Discussion 3:54 PM

Trying to pinpoint warm season precipitation in West and Central Alabama can be quite a challenge. This is mainly because of the frequent small-scale and isolated nature of rain and thunderstorm development. One feature we monitor as a trigger for storms is what’s known as an “outflow boundary.” As storms collapse they leave behind cooler air, which diverges amongst the landscape. An outflow boundary leads this cooler air and can serve as a trigger for storms on days like today. Such a feature triggered rain over Perry County last night and once again, this afternoon another outflow boundary is tracking through Bibb County. This may trigger a shower or thunderstorm this evening. Otherwise, we will have a partly to mostly clear sky tonight, with lows near 70.

It’s going to feel hotter over the next few days, with a mixture of clouds and sun. Our weather will become more influenced by an upper air ridge centered back over Texas. All eyes are on the core of extreme heat under this ridge, with places like Amarillo at the time of this posting sitting at 104-degrees. We will keep our fingers crossed and hope that the core of hot air remains west of us. Needless to say, we will have our share of hot and humid weather over the next few days, with highs in the middle 90s. The heat index will top 95 degrees. There will be a chance for isolated thunderstorms and showers in the afternoon. Because of a weak disturbance rounding the upper ridge to the north, a few more afternoon thunderstorms may try to materialize late Sunday.

The upper air ridge will dominate through the middle of next week. Each day will feature lots of sun, with cumulus clouds developing by noon. Highs by Tuesday may top the 95 degree mark and that would mean heat index temperatures nearing 100. The threat for isolated thunderstorms will remain, although there will be many areas that will remain dry. We will have more details for you tonight at five, six, and ten!

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Wednesday Afternoon Weather Discussion-4:40 PM

I want to thank the local American Legion Post for allowing me to speak last night. I talked about our recent digital switch at WVUA and how our audience continues to grow. If you are a new viewer feel free to leave your weather reports or comments anytime here on the blog.

The weather hasn’t changed much today and we will remain muggy through the evening. A stray shower or thunderstorm will be possible early. Lows tonight will be in the upper 60s. We’re in that sluggish summer pattern and conditions will remain similar for tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. An upper air ridge will build into the region and this will bring hot and humid weather, with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or early evening. Other than the small threat for rain, each day will feature a mixture of clouds and sunshine. There was a severe thunderstorm over Chilton county and Jefferson County earlier, over the next few days if a storm manages to pop-up in the afternoon I can’t rule out a brief flare-up to the severe level.

If I had to pick a day in which the chance of an afternoon storm was greatest it would be Sunday. The chance however, is still very small and don’t look for much change through the start of next week. You can expect a slow but steady rise in temperatures. By Sunday and Monday highs will be in the middle 90s, with the heat index nearing 100. Have a great evening and please joins for the news at five, six, and ten!

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Tuesday Afternoon Forecast Discussion 3:36 PM

As expected more isolated showers have started materializing over portions of the area this afternoon. Temperatures have also reached the low 90s across West Alabama. The showers that are out there will diminish, with a partly cloudy sky this evening. Lows tonight will be in the upper 60s. A front remains stationary over southern Alabama and this boundary has been the primary focal point for heavier rain. Tomorrow we will have the threat for a stray shower or thunderstorm; however, look for the greatest concentration of rain to be over southern Alabama.

An upper air ridge of high pressure will bring a return to the hot and benign summer weather. Friday and Saturday will be partly cloudy days, with temperatures rising into the middle 90s. By 2:00 there will be isolated thunderstorms and showers developing over the area. This activity will linger into the early evening and then gradually dissipate. As for the weather beyond Saturday, we will remain quite steamy through early next week. Each day will start off mostly sunny, with more clouds in the afternoon. The chance for isolated thunderstorms and showers will continue.

So what is the latest news regarding the tropics? As for now, all is quiet in the Atlantic Basin. There is a bit of action over in the Pacific where Tropical Storm Blanca is weakening as it pulls away from Central America.

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Tampa Flooding

     Although it has been rather dry in Central Alabama lately, heavy rain has been adding up over other portions of the southeast region. One particular location seeing lots rain has been western sections of Florida. Major flooding has been an issue in the Tampa area. Tampa received record amounts of rain this past month. Since June 1st Tampa has received 10.69 inches of rain as opposed to the average of 6.5 inches that Tampa usually sees. The city also saw record amounts of rainfall on July 2nd with a total of 4.72 inches. The old record was 2.84 inches set in 1955. The flooding caused multiple Tampa families to evacuate their homes and the Red Cross set up evacuation shelters and gave hot meals to evacuees. Thankfully, no tropical systems are brewing in the Gulf! The current forecast calls for scattered storms each day this week, but the expected precipitation accumulation is less than the record breaking rainfall amounts seen last week. 

Cecilia Reeves
WVUA Weather

Monday Afternoon Weather Discussion Update 3:54 PM

One thing about this time of the year is that it is very hard to get a good soaking rain over the entire area. Yesterday thunderstorms produced over an inch of rain over communities like Vernon, Eutaw, Ralph, Fosters, and Taylorville. On the other hand the official reporting station at Tuscaloosa Airport only shows 0.09” for the month. Therefore, if you see our weather almanac on the news you will be seeing the airport’s observation. As far as rain totals go, the good thing is that it’s not quite as bad as it looks. We are still monitoring some patchy areas of rain and spotty thunderstorms out there. This activity will linger through the early evening and then gradually dissipate. A stationary front will settle to our south and this will keep the bulk of the rain south of our area tomorrow. I can’t rule out a stray shower or thunderstorms, with a partly cloudy sky overhead. Highs will be near 90 degrees, with lows in the middle 60s. Wednesday will be very similar, with a lower threat for rain in the afternoon.

By Thursday and Friday an upper air ridge of high pressure will begin building our way. During this transition phase there will be a mix of clouds and sun, with highs in the mid 90s. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible during the afternoon and early evening hours. The upper air ridge will become quite strong by Sunday and this will keep the threat for rain out of the forecast. This will set the stage for very hot weather. Highs by Sunday and Monday will be rising into the mid to upper 90s. Be sure to join us tonight for more details!

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Until 3:45 for Greene and Hale Counties

SEVERE WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
310 PM CDT SUN JUL 5 2009

ALC063-065-052045-
/O.CON.KBMX.SV.W.0367.000000T0000Z-090705T2045Z/
HALE AL-GREENE AL-
310 PM CDT SUN JUL 5 2009

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 PM CDT
FOR CENTRAL GREENE AND NORTHWESTERN HALE COUNTIES…

AT 310 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUED TO DETECT A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR UNION…OR 6
MILES NORTH OF EUTAW…MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
KNOXVILLE…WEDGEWORTH…EVANSVILLE…AKRON…MOUNDVILLE AIRPORT…
MOUNDVILLE…MOUND STATE PARK…HARPER HILL AND ELLIOTS CREEK

THIS INCLUDES…
INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 40 THROUGH 52

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

IN ADDITION TO DAMAGING WINDS…CONTINUOUS CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING
IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS
ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER…IF YOU CAN HEAR
THUNDER…YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT SUNDAY
EVENING FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Tuscaloosa, Greene, Pickens and Sumter Counties Until 3:15 PM

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
ALC063-107-119-125-052015-
/O.NEW.KBMX.SV.W.0366.090705T1926Z-090705T2015Z/

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
226 PM CDT SUN JUL 5 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  GREENE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF EUTAW…
  SOUTHERN PICKENS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…PICKENSVILLE…CARROLLTON…
  ALICEVILLE…
  NORTH CENTRAL SUMTER COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…
  SOUTHWESTERN TUSCALOOSA COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…

* UNTIL 315 PM CDT

* AT 226 PM CDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETECTED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
  WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR MEMPHIS

..AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  GARDEN…MCMULLEN…PANOLA…NEW WEST GREENE…BENEVOLA…WEST
  GREENE…MANTUA…JENA…UNION AND ALLISON

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH…PREPARE
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS…DESTRUCTIVE HAIL…AND DEADLY CLOUD
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER…
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM CDT SUNDAY
EVENING FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott

Sunday Afternoon Weather Discussion – 2:22 p.m.

A good Sunday to you! Severe weather may become an issue this afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of our area under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 PM. The main threat today will be from damaging winds and lightning. We got a report that someone was struck by lightning in Elmore County this morning. The best word of advice is to go inside when a thunderstorm approaches you. The good news out of this is the plentiful amounts of rainfall moving into our area. For places like Fayette and Jasper, it has been raining nearly all day. While it has been dry for Tuscaloosa and points south, rain will move in over the next couple of hours. Storms are beginning to develop over our southwestern counties and could become severe soon. Be sure to keep it here to our weather blog page. If any additional watches or warnings are issued, I will post it right here on the blog. Also, tune into WVUA-TV for more. Our weather bug and crawl will be up, and I’ll have a full look at your forecast tonight at 10 PM.

A cold front is slowly marching southward and will enter the Tuscaloosa area tomorrow. This will introduce dry air into our northern counties by tomorrow afternoon, and all of the WVUA coverage area by Tuesday morning. Rainfall totals could exceed 2 inches in some locations. This is certainly a beneficial rain, but we are going to deal with some severe weather in spots. Temperatures will stay a little cooler today and tomorrow, with highs in the 80s.

We get back into a typical summer-like routine on Wednesday through next weekend. A stray shower or storm is possible during the afternoon hours, with highs warming in the lower to middle 90s. Lows at night will approach the lower 70s.

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Have a great day!

Richard Scott
WVUA-TV’s Weekend Weather Anchor

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until 8 PM

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 550
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
210 PM EDT SUN JUL 5 2009

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 550 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM EDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

ALABAMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

AUTAUGA              BARBOUR             BIBB
BULLOCK              BUTLER              CHAMBERS
CHILTON              CHOCTAW             CLARKE
COFFEE               CONECUH             COOSA
CRENSHAW             DALE                DALLAS
ELMORE               GREENE              HALE
HENRY                LEE                 LOWNDES
MACON                MARENGO             MONROE
MONTGOMERY           PERRY               PICKENS
PIKE                 RUSSELL             SUMTER
TALLAPOOSA           TUSCALOOSA          WASHINGTON
WILCOX

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott