Rain Ahead… Tuesday Eve Forecast Update – 8:40pm

Good Tuesday evening! The weather turned out nearly perfect this afternoon, with a good supply of sun and mild temperatures. Highs reached the lower 80s area-wide. As moisture levels increase a bit, expect temperatures to remain warmer than lastnight. Lows tonight will fall into the lower 60s. Skies will remain partly to mostly cloudy tonight. A passing shower or two is possible south of Tuscaloosa, but most spots should stay dry.

We’re watching an old frontal boundary over south Alabama and Mississippi. A weak area of low pressure along the front will lift north on Wednesday and Thursday. As the weak low and front moves into Alabama, showers and storms will increase in coverage. There’s a chance of scattered storms at any time on Wednesday and Thursday, but I don’t expect rain all day. The best chance of scattered storms on Wednesday will occur south of I-20. We can expect a chance of scattered storms state wide on Thursday. We’ll also notice more clouds than sun tomorrow and Thursday. Highs will get close to 80 on Wednesday, if we see some sun. We’ll struggle to reach 75 on Thursday under a mostly cloudy sky. There’s a good chance of rain both Wednesday and Thursday. Lows will fall into the lower 60s at night.

As a storm system moves north of Alabama on Friday and Saturday, a cold front will move into the area from the north. We can expect a good soaking ahead of the front, with storm totals over 2 inches in many areas. There could be some isolated flooding issues, but I don’t expect a major flooding event. We’ll keep an eye on it. Highs will cool into the lower 70s on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Expect lows in the upper 40s Saturday night and Sunday night.

If you have plans to Talladega over the weekend, expect rain Saturday morning and into the afternoon hours. Model data is still iffy on the time-frame at this time, so we’ll continue to fine-tune the forecast. At this time, Sunday looks like a dry day for the main race. Temperatures will reach the lower 70s in Talladega over the weekend.

Send us your weather pictures! Send them to weather@wvuatv.com. Also, look us up on facebook and twitter. Like us on facebook by searching facebook.com/wvuaweather or WVUA-TV Weather. You can find us on twitter by searching weather@wvuatv.comor WVUA-TV Weather. Great way to get weather updates! Plus, facebook is a great way to send us weather pictures. Simply tag us!

Join us live on WVUA-TV weekdays at 4, 5, 6 and 10 pm and weekends at 10pm for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott

WVUA Chief Meteorologist

rscott@wvuatv.com

Twitter: Richard_wvua

Mild Days…Some Rain Ahead… Monday Afternoon Forecast Update – 4pm

Good Monday afternoon to you! The weather has felt pretty nice across Alabama today, with lots of sun and mild temperatures. As of 4pm, most spots have reached the upper 70s to lower 80s. Temperatures will gradually decrease tonight, due to a slightly dry airmass in place. As temperatures reach the dewpoint tonight, patchy fog could develop late. Lows will reach the lower 50s tonight.

We can expect another mostly sunny sky and dry day on Tuesday before changes happen on Wednesday and Thursday. A surface high north of Alabama will keep us dry and mostly sunny. As the surface high moves east of us, a stationary front along the coast will gradually move to the north. A storm system moving into the northern Plains will help to pull the boundary over our area by mid to late week. At this time, rain chances will remain fairly low on Wednesday and Thursday. Keep the rain gear handy both days due to the risk of rain. Highs will top out in the upper 70s to around 80. Lows will modify into the upper 50s to around 60.

As an upper level low cuts off northwest of Alabama, rain chances will increase on Friday and into Saturday. There’s a good chance of rain both days, but model data is still iffy on a time-frame for the rain. Keep it here for the latest forecast updates. Highs will drop into the lower 70s due to the clouds and rain. As dry and cooler air takes over Friday night and Saturday night, look for lows to drop into the upper 40s or lower 50s. Skies will become sunny on Sunday and Monday.

Send us your weather pictures! Send them to weather@wvuatv.com. Also, look us up on facebook and twitter. Like us on facebook by searching facebook.com/wvuaweather or WVUA-TV Weather. You can find us on twitter by searching weather@wvuatv.comor WVUA-TV Weather. Great way to get weather updates! Plus, facebook is a great way to send us weather pictures. Simply tag us!

Join us live on WVUA-TV weekdays at 4, 5, 6 and 10 pm and weekends at 10pm for the very latest on your news, weather and sports.

Richard Scott
WVUA Chief Meteorologist
rscott@wvuatv.com
Twitter: Richard_wvua

8:15 PM 4/28/13 – Sunday Evening Forecast Update

After a soggy Sunday across the area, we will finally see the return of some sunshine for west Alabama for your Monday. The frontal system that brought us all the rain over the weekend will have moved south of our area, but with very weak upper flow, this boundary should “hang up” in south Alabama. So our southern counties may see a bit more cloud cover throughout Monday, but for the most part we can expect at least a partly to mostly sunny sky with highs in the upper 70s.

The aforementioned boundary should begin a gradual northward move during the day Tuesday. This will result in an increase in cloud cover, especially south of I-20, but I still think we can get some sunshine in with highs in the low 80s for most spots. Instability values begin to slowly increase for Wednesday, so a few afternoon showers and storms are certain possible across the area as high temperatures cool off a touch into the upper 70s.

The forecast for the rest of the week remains fairly uncertain. The major models agree that a closed upper-level low pressure will evolve across the central High Plains, but they disagree on the timing off how things evolve through the end of the week and the start of the weekend. Southerly flow off the Gulf will maintain sufficient moisture in the area, and with daytime heating each day, I think it’s prudent to include at least a chance of rain and storms across the area for Thursday, Friday, and even Saturday as well.

We will watch model trends over the next couple of days and adjust the forecast accordingly, but be aware that some off-and-on rain and thunderstorms could affect your plans at times from Wednesday – Saturday.

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

12:40 AM – Weather Update

Early this Sunday morning, a line of strong to potentially severe storms was moving across north-central into northeast Mississippi. As of 1240 AM, the severe thunderstorm warnings for northeast Mississippi had been allowed to expire.

Over the last hour though, the storms have begun to weaken and they don’t look as strong as they once did. Still, residents in northwest Alabama should expect to see some rain and thunderstorms during this overnight period. Marion and Lamar Counties will be the first to see this activity, and some small hail and gusty winds are possible by 2 AM in these areas.

Again, the overall severe weather threat remains low. A few strong storms are possible during the overnight hours, primarily west of I-65 and north of I-20. We will continue to watch things closely…

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

8:20 PM – Saturday 4/27/13 Evening Forecast Update…

 

On this evening of 4/27/13, we can be thankful we are not dealing with the massive tornado outbreak we dealt with 2 years ago today. We have had a few severe storms earlier this afternoon in far west Alabama, but that activity has diminished. Most of the thunderstorm activity remains northeast of our area, over parts of southern Cullman County stretching eastward into northeast Alabama. The National Weather Service has dropped Marion, Fayette, Lamar, Pickens, and Tuscaloosa Counties from the severe thunderstorm watch as no severe weather is expected in these areas for the next several hours.

However, we are watching thunderstorms developing over southeastern Arkansas nearing the Mississippi river. These storms are along and just ahead of a surface frontal boundary. A tornado watch remains in effect for northwestern Mississippi until 11 PM this evening. It’s unlikely that this watch will be shifted eastward into our area overnight tonight, but we will be watching these storms closely. It’s more probable that these storms will weaken as they near Alabama overnight tonight, but in the event they maintain their intensity, a few strong storms are possible capable of producing gusty winds and hail.

As this front moves into our area for Sunday, expect showers and thunderstorms to re-intensify throughout the day. As we get into the afternoon hours, a few storms may become strong to possibly severe with hail or gusty winds the primary threat. This shower and storm activity is expected to slowly shift southeast through the day, clearing west Alabama by tomorrow night. We should see the return to some sunshine and low 80s for your Monday and Tuesday, which will give us a chance to dry out from the weekend rains.

An unsettled weather pattern is looking likely to set up for the latter half of the week into the weekend. Expect some scattered showers and storms for Wednesday and Thursday, but I don’t think it rains everywhere. Rain chances continue Friday and may increase toward Saturday as a closed upper-level low inches closer to our area from the west. However, overall confidence in the forecast for the latter half of the week is not all that high, so some changes are certainly possible, so stay tuned!

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

6:27 PM – Severe Thunderstorm Warning Fayette County

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
626 PM CDT SAT APR 27 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  FAYETTE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…

* UNTIL 715 PM CDT

* AT 624 PM CDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
  WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR ASHCRAFT
  CORNER…OR 8 MILES SOUTH OF FAYETTE…AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45
  MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
  FAYETTE…BANKSTON…BERRY…STONE WALL…FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC
  LAKE…RICHARD ARTHUR FIELD…BEVILL STATE COLLEGE FAYETTE AND
  HUBBERTVILLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION…MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF
YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER…
CALL 1-800-856-0758 OR TWEET YOUR REPORT USING HASHTAG ALWX

LAT…LON 3391 8773 3392 8764 3387 8763 3387 8753
      3370 8753 3352 8778 3352 8790 3356 8795
TIME…MOT…LOC 2326Z 225DEG 40KT 3359 8783

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

5:52 PM – Severe Thunderstorm Warning northern Pickens County until 630 PM

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
552 PM CDT SAT APR 27 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  NORTHERN PICKENS COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…

* UNTIL 630 PM CDT

* AT 547 PM CDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
  WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
  PICKENSVILLE…AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
  REFORM…ETHELSVILLE…OWENS…MCSHAN…NORTH PICKENS AIRPORT AND
  SHAW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION…MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF
YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac
TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER…
CALL 1-800-856-0758 OR TWEET YOUR REPORT USING HASHTAG ALWX

LAT…LON 3336 8830 3353 8813 3352 8784 3348 8784
      3319 8820 3328 8831
TIME…MOT…LOC 2252Z 223DEG 35KT 3332 8820

5:45 PM – Severe Thunderstorm Warning Lamar and Marion Counties until 645 PM CDT..

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
545 PM CDT SAT APR 27 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  NORTHEASTERN LAMAR COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…
  SOUTHERN MARION COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ALABAMA…

* UNTIL 645 PM CDT

* AT 543 PM CDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
  WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR
  BEAVERTON…OR 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF SULLIGENT…AND MOVING EAST AT
  30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
  WINFIELD…GUIN…GU-WIN…BRILLIANT…GLEN ALLEN…LAKE
  BUTTAHATCHEE…PIKEVILLE AND TWIN.

THIS INCLUDES…
US 78 EXIT NUMBERS 16 THROUGH 34…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION…MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF
YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER…
CALL 1-800-856-0758 OR TWEET YOUR REPORT USING HASHTAG ALWX

LAT…LON 3406 8807 3418 8764 3392 8764 3391 8809
TIME…MOT…LOC 2245Z 266DEG 25KT 3398 8797

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

5:24 PM – New Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Here’s the county list for Alabama that is included in a new severe thunderstorm watch that will be in effect until Midnight CDT tonight. This watch basically includes areas along and north of Interstate-20.

   BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
     SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 143
     NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
     525 PM CDT SAT APR 27 2013

     SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 143 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1200 AM CDT
     FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

     ALC009-015-019-033-043-049-055-057-059-071-073-075-077-079-083-
     089-093-095-103-107-115-117-121-125-127-133-280500-
     /O.NEW.KWNS.SV.A.0143.130427T2225Z-130428T0500Z/

     AL 
     .    ALABAMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

     BLOUNT               CALHOUN             CHEROKEE            
     COLBERT              CULLMAN             DEKALB              
     ETOWAH               FAYETTE             FRANKLIN            
     JACKSON              JEFFERSON           LAMAR               
     LAUDERDALE           LAWRENCE            LIMESTONE           
     MADISON              MARION              MARSHALL            
     MORGAN               PICKENS             SHELBY              
     ST. CLAIR            TALLADEGA           TUSCALOOSA          
     WALKER               WINSTON   

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather

5:09 PM – Severe Thunderstorm Warning northern Lamar County..

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
502 PM CDT SAT APR 27 2013

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
  NORTHERN LAMAR COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA…

* UNTIL 545 PM CDT

* AT 500 PM CDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INDICATED A SEVERE
  THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
  WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 6 MILES
  SOUTHWEST OF DETROIT…OR 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF SULLIGENT…AND
  MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
  SULLIGENT…DETROIT…CREWS…BEAVERTON…PINE SPRINGS AND HENSON
  SPRINGS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION…MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF
YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS.

&&

TO REPORT SEVERE WEATHER…
CALL 1-800-856-0758 OR TWEET YOUR REPORT USING HASHTAG ALWX

LAT…LON 3390 8823 3394 8823 3406 8821 3405 8799
      3403 8799 3402 8795 3389 8795 3385 8824
      3390 8824
TIME…MOT…LOC 2202Z 247DEG 29KT 3396 8822

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac