Tuesday Afternoon Forecast Discussion

I had lots of fun over at Holy Spirit today, speaking to the Pre-K group. I will be sharing some scenes from the visit tonight on the news. As expected, it didn’t take long for the rain to roll into the area. Even though severe thunderstorms haven’t been a problem for us today, we had dangerous cloud to ground lightning before lunchtime. A severe thunderstorms watch is in place just across the AL/MS state line in Kemper and Lauderdale Counties. Thunderstorms and showers will persist through the midnight period and the threat for rain will end as a cold front pushes through. The heaviest storms will be to our south. The front will clear the area after midnight, with clouds breaking for some sunshine tomorrow. Highs tomorrow will be near 70 degrees.

Another low pressure area will move in on Thursday and this system will bring a round of rain and thunderstorms. Some of the storms may be quite strong or severe by Thursday night. The rain and storms will linger into late Thursday night, with another break in the rain on Friday and Saturday. I have a chance of rain in the forecast for Friday, but this will mainly be for the early morning hours. The weather pattern won’t slow down, with another front bringing a shower or thunderstorm to the area Sunday night. Long range data shows another two day break on Monday and Tuesday, with rain next Wednesday. Be sure to join us tonight for more details!

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Rain Moving In

Moisture is lifting in from the Gulf this morning and we’re already hearing some thunder across parts of the area. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible through the morning hours. I’m still expecting the greatest coverage of rain late today and now it appears this evening we will have a higher chance for rain. The back edge of the rain, per latest analysis, should be pushing into the area just after midnight. Another rainmaker is still on track to impact the area Thursday. I will be on the road today visiting Pre-k students at Holy Spirit. Also, I will be filling in for Robert today at 4:00. I want to congratulate all of the members of the WVUA staff for winning ten AP Awards. Have a great Tuesday!

Wes Wyatt

Chief Meteorologist

Monday Afternoon Weather Discussion

I was very thankful that the severe weather threat only remained a threat and not an actual event Saturday morning. We had a few severe thunderstorm warnings over West Alabama. Much of the area dealt with additional rain, some thunder, and breezy conditions. Wet weather has been the main headline and local waterways remain above flood stage in many locations.

I wish we could take today’s weather and stretch it out over a seven to ten day period. Today was perfect and the high clouds in place made for pleasantly mild conditions. We will have more clouds arriving tonight and into the day tomorrow. It’s still going to be on the chilly side tonight, with lows in the 40s. Tomorrow will start off on a partly to mostly cloudy note, with thickening cloud cover late. A cold front will settle in tomorrow night and this feature will bring us a good chance for rain and a possible thunderstorm, especially by midnight. The heaviest rain will be over southeast Alabama as a wave of low pressure lifts northeast out of the Gulf. The wet weather will be shifting out early Tuesday, with afternoon sunshine.

The pattern will remain active over the next several days. A low pressure system will dive into Alabama Thursday night, bringing more rain and the possibility of thunderstorms to the area. A strong to severe thunderstorms can’t be ruled out late Thursday. There will be another surge of heavy rain over south Alabama. This storm system will work across the area Thursday night, with gradual clearing on Friday. Saturday will be a dry and pleasant day, although it may be rather breezy. Another system will roll into Alabama by Sunday night, spreading more rain into the area. Be sure to join us tonight for the latest details.

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Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist

Sunday Afternoon Weather Discussion; Posted at 4:15 p.m.

A good Sunday to you! The weather has been very nice today, with lots of sun, but it has been rather cool. Cold weather is in the forecast for tonight, as lows reach the lower to middle 30s. As winds go calm, we could see a little frost by daybreak. There are a lot of plants and trees in bloom at this time, so we’re hoping that temperatures will stay above that critical freezing point. Temperatures will really warm up a bit on Monday, as highs approach the lower 70s. We’ll continue with a sunny day, but clouds will be on an increase through the evening hours. We won’t catch much of a break in the rainfall, as another storm system is on its way for Tuesday; we will deal with a cloudy day and some heavier rainfall developing late in the day. This will carry over into Wednesday morning, with rainfall totals approaching an inch in our southern counties, which will aggravate river flooding. We will temporarily dry out Wednesday afternoon, before another system marches in from the northwest. A good chance for showers and a few strong storms will enter the forecast Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will remain in the lower 70s for highs.

We catch another quick break from the rain on Friday and Saturday, with mostly sunny skies; expect daytime highs in the lower to middle 70s. This will be a great time to do a little spring cleaning, but the break won’t last long. A vigorous storm-system will move in on Sunday and could bring a round of strong storms and heavy rainfall with it, as temperatures remain very mild.

Checking on some of the long range data, it appears that the weather will continue to be unsettled throughout much of April. Be sure to join us tonight at 10 p.m. on WVUA-TV for the latest look at your weather forecast. Have a great evening!

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Have a great day!

Richard Scott
WVUA-TV’s Weekend Weather Anchor

Saturday Afternoon Weather Discussion; Posted at 5:00 p.m.

We are finally getting a break from the stormy weather we had this morning, in-fact, conditions are very comfortable this afternoon, with temperatures in the 70s. A cold front is knocking on our door step, and cooler temperatures will move into the state tonight; we’ll reach 41 tonight for a low, as skies clear out. We certainly need a break from the rain, with numerous river flood warnings for the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers. Sunday will be nice but rather cool; highs will stay in the lower 60s, with a breeze out of the west. As high pressure settles in Sunday night, winds will begin to go calm and it will get cold; lows will approach the middle 30s.

Sunny and much warmer weather can be expected on Monday, with a high of 72 degrees. Since we are under a very active and progressive weather pattern, another storm system will move into our area on Tuesday, which will bring a good deal of clouds and some showers and thunderstorms. This activity will move out by noon on Wednesday, with temperatures remaining in the low 70s for highs. Just on the heals of that cold front, another system will move in here on Thursday; I don’t think we’ll see as much rain out of this one, but temperatures will remain warm; highs will be in the lower to middle 70s on Thursday. We will clear out for the weekend and the weather is looking good, with 70s for highs and lots of sun. Be sure to join us tonight at 10 p.m. for the latest on your weather forecast on WVUA-TV. Have a great Sunday!

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Have a great day!

Richard Scott
WVUA-TV’s Weekend Weather Anchor

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Until Noon

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 88
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
455 AM CDT SAT MAR 28 2009

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 88 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1200 PM CDT
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

ALC001-005-007-011-015-017-021-027-029-037-047-051-063-065-073-
081-085-087-091-101-105-109-111-113-115-117-119-121-123-125-
281700-
/O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0088.090328T0955Z-090328T1700Z/

AL
.    ALABAMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

AUTAUGA              BARBOUR             BIBB
BULLOCK              CALHOUN             CHAMBERS
CHILTON              CLAY                CLEBURNE
COOSA                DALLAS              ELMORE
GREENE               HALE                JEFFERSON
LEE                  LOWNDES             MACON
MARENGO              MONTGOMERY          PERRY
PIKE                 RANDOLPH            RUSSELL
SHELBY               ST. CLAIR           SUMTER
TALLADEGA            TALLAPOOSA          TUSCALOOSA

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Marengo County Until 5:15 a.m.

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
440 AM CDT SAT MAR 28 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  MARENGO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA…

* UNTIL 515 AM CDT

* AT 441 AM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE
  HAIL…AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE
  LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM SWEET WATER TO SURGINER TO 6
  MILES SOUTH OF VINELAND…OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM 17 MILES
  SOUTH OF LINDEN TO 20 MILES SOUTH OF LINDEN TO 18 MILES NORTH OF
  GROVE HILL…AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 65 MPH.

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR…
  MILLER…SHILOH AND MAGNOLIA BY 450 AM CDT…
  THOMASTON AND CONSUL BY 500 AM CDT…
  DAYTON BY 505 AM CDT…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CDT SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Sumter Co. Until 5 a.m.

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
429 AM CDT SAT MAR 28 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  SUMTER COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…YORK…LIVINGSTON…CUBA…

* UNTIL 500 AM CDT

* AT 428 AM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN
  EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING
  FROM 6 MILES NORTHWEST OF EMELLE TO YORK TO 12 MILES SOUTHWEST
  OF KINTERBISH…AND MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
  BOYD…WEST UNION…THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA…COATOPA AND
  BLUFFPORT

THIS INCLUDES
AND INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 8 THROUGH 45.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CDT SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Sumter Until 4:30 a.m.

BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
405 AM CDT SAT MAR 28 2009

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  SUMTER COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…
  THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…YORK…LIVINGSTON…CUBA…

* UNTIL 430 AM CDT

* AT 403 AM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
  LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DESTRUCTIVE WINDS
  IN EXCESS OF 70 MPH.  THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE
  EXTENDING FROM 26 MILES WEST OF EMELLE TO 15 MILES WEST OF CUBA TO
  30 MILES SOUTHWEST OF KINTERBISH…OR ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM
  30 MILES NORTHWEST OF CUBA TO 15 MILES WEST OF CUBA TO 31 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF CUBA…AND MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH.

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR…
  CUBA BY 420 AM CDT…
  YORK…BOYD…EMELLE AND KINTERBISH BY 430 AM CDT…

THIS INCLUDES
AND INTERSTATE 20 EXIT NUMBERS 8 THROUGH 45.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

DAMAGING WINDS UP TO 70 MPH WERE REPORTED IN MEEHAN IN LAUDERDALE
COUNTY MS WITH THIS STORM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM…SEEK SAFE
SHELTER AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS!

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 500 AM CDT SATURDAY MORNING
FOR SOUTHERN ALABAMA.

WVUA-TV’s Richard Scott

Severe Weather Update: Latest Thoughts 3:15 AM

Heavy storms have pushed into the far southern portions of the area. The latest trends show a mass of rain and severe thunderstorms over the Gulf Coast. This activity is limiting the amount of moist inflow over the state. Hourly analysis data from the Storm Prediction Center displayed a pocket of high helicity over South Mississippi. This is a variable which represents change in wind direction and speed with height. Higher helicity values supports rotating storms and tornado development. This is the zone we’ve been monitoring and the latest radar trends shows a line of storms becoming better organized along and just south of I-20 between Meridian and Jackson. At the time of this update there were only a couple of severe thunderstorm warnings along this line. This activity could impact the southern half of our area and I feel the tornado watch is well placed. Areas south of Tuscaloosa will remain in the watch through 5:00 AM. Over the remaining portions of the area, heavy rain will persist and there will likely be some flash flooding concerns. It is pouring over Lamar County right now and despite all of the recent rain, most of our area will receive at-least two additional inches this morning. The storms forming to our southwest may continue to build northeastward and we will be on-hand to break into programming if warnings are issued.

On a side note, this has been quite a storm system. While we’re talking about severe storms, blizzard conditions have been impacting states like Oklahoma and Kansas. I’m still amazed at some of yesterday’s observations in which the southern tip of Texas experienced 100 degree temperatures while the northwest corner of the state was near 20 degrees. We’ve had 3-day rain totals ranging between 3 and 5 inches, and that doesn’t count the rain we’re getting this morning. We also had a confirmed tornado over southwest Fayette County yesterday morning. I for one will be glad to say goodbye to this nasty march storm system. We will continue to monitor things, stay tuned!

Wes Wyatt
Chief Meteorologist