Cold Air Ahead! Tuesday Forecast Update – 3:50pm

Good Tuesday evening to you and a Happy New Year’s Eve! Thanks to an active southern branch of the jetstream, we couldn’t get rid of the high level clouds today. Some clearing has been noted across parts of north and central Alabama, but it looks like skies will remain partly to mostly cloudy through tonight and on Wednesday. Despite some clouds, there is very little moisture under the deck of clouds, so rain is not expected through atleast Wednesday afternoon.

If you have plans outside for this New Year’s Eve, expect a gradual drop in temperatures after sunset. Most spots will fall into the 30s by 7pm and lower 30s at midnight. Winds should remain calm through the overnight hours, but the cold temperatures may require a thick jacket. The first day of 2014 will be dry and a tad warmer. Temperatures will reach the middle to upper 50s Wednesday afternoon before clouds become thick and rain moves in Wednesday night. A few light showers are possible as early as 6pm Wednesday, but I expect the best chance of rain to come into the area late Wednesday night and early on Thursday. Rain will gradually come to and end after lunch on Thursday.

There is a chance that light rain could mix with a few snow flakes north of I-20 Thursday afternoon and evening, but I don’t expect any issues with that or any accumulations. The best chance of that will happen over the Tennessee Valley of north Alabama and the state of Tennessee.

Friday will feature a very cold day, with highs in the upper 30s north of I-20 and lower 40s south of I-20. Look for sunny skies on Friday, with most areas in the lower 20s both Friday morning and Saturday morning. We’ll try to warm a little on Saturday, with highs closer to 50s.

Clouds increase on Sunday and Monday, with the chance of occasional light showers. Highs will top out in the lower 50s on Sunday and middle 40s on Monday. There are signs of some very cold air taking over on Monday and Tuesday, so we’ll keep a close eye on the next few runs of our forecast data.

If you’re making a trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, the rain gear will be needed at times on Thursday. Some light rain is possible in New Orleans, as Alabama takes on Oklahoma. The good news… The game is inside the superdome, so rain will not be an issue inside the game… Outside the dome, expect temperatures in the 50s.

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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. 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

Alabama Blizzard of New Year’s Eve 1963…. Tuesday Update – 12:30pm

Good Tuesday afternoon! We look back 50 years ago today, as Alabama dealt with one of the most significant blizzards in recorded history. Snow totals ranged from 17 inches in Huntsville to 2 inches in Mobile. Much of west and central Alabama picked up totals of 3 to 17 inches, which shattered many snow fall records.

This system started as a cold airmass settled into the deep south. A surface low tracked across the northern Gulf of Mexico and northern Florida, with a deep upper level low passing over Alabama. The surface low pushed moisture under the deep upper level low, which caused a perfect setup for heavy snow. A very strong surface high over the northeast helped to push colder air into the system. The map above is from the National Weather Service in Huntsville… Here are some totals from that event:

Huntsville, 17″

Hamilton, 14″

Vernon, 12″

Rockford, 8.8″

Gadsden, 6″

Cullman, 9″

West Blocton, 3″

Fayette, 11″

Livingston, 12″

Greensboro, 6″

Birmingham, 8.4″

Jasper, 6″

Meridian, 15″

Clanton, 8″

Tuscaloosa, 2.7″

Coker, 6″

Mobile, 2″

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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. 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

Dry Days, More Rain, Cold Days… Monday Afternoon Forecast Update – 4:30pm

Good Monday afternoon! Our local weather has remained cold and gloomy to start off the work week, with a thick deck of clouds and cold temperatures. A sharp cold front is dropping southward through Alabama, and you’ll notice chilly temperatures overnight tonight. At 4pm, we’ve got upper 30s in Haleyville, while Tuscaloosa is at 48. Expect most areas to reach the lower 40s at 7pm, upper 30s at 10pm and lower 30s after midnight. Skies will remain cloudy for much of the night, but some clearing is expected after midnight. We’ll reach a low near 30 late tonight.

Tuesday and Wednesday are looking dry and quiet. Look for a good supply of sunshine on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Highs will remain cold on Tuesday, with highs in the upper 40s. We’ll reach the upper 50s on Wednesday to start out 2014. If you’re going to an outdoor event Tuesday night, expect temperatures to reach the upper 20s around and just after midnight. While we will be dry, the thick jacket will be needed due to the cold air.

A fast moving storm system will bring the chance of rain late Wednesday night and on Thursday. Rain totals should remain under 1 inch with this system, but we’ll be watching forecast models close. Some data shows very little rain, while other models show totals nearing 1 inch. It will be a chilly rain, with highs in the upper 40s to near 50.

A very cold air shot moves in on Friday, with daytime highs in the lower 40s. Places north of Tuscaloosa could stay in the 30s all day. We will remain cold through Saturday, with highs in the 40s and lows well down into the lower 20s by Saturday morning.

Another system will bring the risk of rain on Sunday, followed by another shot of cold air on Monday of next week. Some data brings record breaking cold into Alabama, so it will need to be watched close.

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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. 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

One More Cloudy Day…Sunshine Returns Tuesday – Sunday Evening Forecast Update 845 PM

After the clouds stuck around this morning, the sky did clear this afternoon as expected and temperatures rose into the middle 50s for most spots. Clouds have already begun to increase this evening in advance of another upper-level impulse. I’m only expecting primarily a continued increase in cloud cover in association with this feature throughout tonight into tomorrow, but a few areas of light drizzle are possible with most areas staying dry. Highs should be in the low 40s for places like Hamilton, but areas south and east of I-20/59 could wind up in the 50s once again.

A northerly flow prevails Tuesday and as a result we should see lots of sunshine with temperatures remaining in the mid to upper 40s. That trend continues into Wednesday but as the winds shift around to the south, temperatures should actually be a good 10 degrees warmer into the mid and upper 50s. Meanwhile, a piece of energy in the northern and southern stream will be traversing the eastern United States, but they never really phase up with one another. Therefore, while some showers are possible Thursday, I’m not expecting a big-time rain event at this time. Changes can still occur, however, so continue to monitor potential alterations to the forecast.

A quick shot of fairly cold air arrives Friday with highs struggling to get into the low 40s area-wide despite lots of sunshine. The progressive weather pattern continues as another storm system approaches Saturday night into Sunday. This system continues to look strong, but I’m only expecting a decent round of rain Sunday with no thunderstorm activity. Temperatures should rise into the mid 50s Sunday.

There are some indications that some Arctic air could filter in from southern Canada by the first part of next week. The morning and afternoon runs of the GFS showed this, but the Euro doesn’t quite bring the bitterly cold air this far south. We’ll continue to watch this over the next couple of days and keep you posted!

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
iwilliams@wvuatv.com
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

Rain Ends Early Sunday…Colder Next Week – Saturday Evening Forecast Update 8:40 PM

Rain, rain, and more rain – that’s how you could describe today’s weather. We saw temperatures struggle to get out of the mid 40s so it was just a raw day out there. The rain continues tonight, but the heaviest rain is well east of Tuscaloosa, but expect lingering showers to continue overnight tonight into early tomorrow morning.

As this system departs to the northeast, subsidence on the back side could provide a few hours of partial clearing across the area tomorrow. I’m not overly confident in this happening, but should this happen, temperatures are forecast to rise into the low maybe mid 50s. However, clouds build right back in tomorrow afternoon in advance of another system that’s due in here Monday.

This system will have lots of cold air with it but moisture will be lacking and drier air will be filtering in through the day Monday. For that reason, I’m expecting mainly a raw, blustery day with temperatures cautiously approaching the lower 40s; I say cautiously because it could wind up where temperatures stay in the upper 30s. A few areas of light drizzle or maybe a flurry or two are possible, but no organized precipitation is expected.

The weather turns sunny just in time to end 2013 and to start 2014. It looks like a good supply of sunshine both days with highs in the mid 50s by Wednesday. The end of the week looks a little murky as far as temperatures are concerned, but a few showers are possible on Thursday followed by some colder air for Friday and Saturday. Again, expect some changes at least in the temperature department for Friday and Saturday, but for now both days look dry.

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
iwilliams@wvuatv.com
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

Weekend Soaker… Then Cold! Friday Forecast Update -4pm Update

Good Friday afternoon! As we end this short work-week for many, conditions are pretty much average across the area. High and mid-level clouds are quickly advancing into Alabama from the southwest, and these clouds are signs of our next storm system. A developing area of low pressure across the southern and western Gulf of Mexico is tracking northeast. The low will bring a bit of rain into our area over the weekend. First, plans outdoors this evening will be dry and cool. Temperatures will fall into the middle 40s at 7pm, and lower 40s at 10pm. Overnight lows will try to reach the upper 30s tonight, but clouds will hold most areas into the 40s.

Starting off Saturday, most of Alabama will be rain-free. A few sprinkles or light showers are possible south of HWY 80 in the morning, but by lunch and early afternoon, a large shield of rain will overtake the entire state. As the low pressure tracks right over central Alabama, a steady moderate rain will soak all of Alabama Saturday afternoon, night and early Sunday morning. As the low tracks northeast, rain will quickly end Sunday morning. Highs will top out in the lower to middle 50s both Saturday and Sunday.

A strong polar cold front will track into Alabama on Monday, which will drop temperatures back into the lower 40s for highs. A little moisture could bring some light flurries to areas north of I-20 on Monday, but that shouldn’t amount to any accumulations. Areas south of I-20 may notice a few light sprinkles on Monday. Temperatures will fall into the middle 20s Monday night!

New Year’s Eve is looking mostly sunny and chilly. Highs on Tuesday will only top out in the upper 40s, with lows in the middle 20s New Year’s Eve night. New Year’s Day is looking nice and cool. Highs will top out in the lower 50s, under a mostly sunny sky.

Another fast moving system could bring some light showers to the area on Thursday, but model data is all over the board with that feature. Confidence is low on that system…

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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. 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

 

One More Dry Day Tomorrow – Rain Returns Saturday – Thursday Evening Forecast Update 910 PM

Broad high pressure will hang on for one more day and give us a good supply of sunshine tomorrow after a cold start to the day with temperatures in the mid to upper 20s! An upper-air disturbance over the Deep South Texas Valley is producing some shower activity across that area, but it’s this disturbance that will be our next weather maker.

A fairly strong temperature gradient is already in place across the northern Gulf of Mexico, and as this upper-level energy interacts with this temperature contrast, a surface low pressure center will develop and track to our east across parts of Georgia. Normally, one might expect the rain to miss us to the east; however, this will not be the case. A significant amount of upper-level uplift will overspread the area beginning Saturday and interact with increasing moisture and produce widespread rain.

This rain will begin as early as the mid-morning hours of Saturday and persist for a large part of the day Saturday into Saturday evening. There will be pockets of heavy rain at times, but it’s still a little difficult to exactly pinpoint where the heaviest totals will be. Models continue to disagree on the exact placement of the surface low pressure system, and the track of this feature will be heavily influencing the amount of rain central Alabama receives.

As this system lifts to the northeast, rain will end early Sunday morning from west to east. Subsidence, or sinking air, on the back side of this departing system may allow the sky to temporarily clear out Sunday afternoon before more clouds build in by the evening hours in advance of our next system. This system will not have a lot of moisture to work with, but the degree of uplift will be quite significant. Therefore, I’ve included a small chance of precipitation in the forecast for Monday. Some of the latest guidance suggests the window of opportunity for precipitation comes from 3 PM Monday afternoon through around Midnight. I say ‘precipitation’ because atmospheric profiles would support perhaps a mix of rain and flurries or just flurries. I want to stress that no snow accumulations will materialize, but just be aware of the possibility of a few flakes Monday afternoon or evening.

Behind this system, there is a little bit of disagreement among the prominent forecast models. However, I can say with decent confidence that New Year’s Eve and Day will be dry with near seasonal temperatures. Another system may bring rain chances toward the end of next week, so stay tuned for further details!

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
iwilliams@wvuatv.com
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

Merry Christmas! Cold Nights, Cool Days Continue… Wednesday AM Forecast Update – 10:45am

Merry Christmas to you! Our Wednesday morning started off very cold, with most areas in the upper teens to lower 20s. With mostly sunny skies today, we’ll warm into the 40s this afternoon. Expect another cold night tonight, with Wednesday night lows in the middle 20s. Some lower 20s are possible north of I-20.

Thursday and Friday will feature cool days and very cold nights. Lows will continue in the 20s, but daytime temperatures will reach the lower to middle 50s both days. We’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine through Saturday. A few clouds will pass through on Sunday, along with a dry cold front. Expect highs in the upper 50s on Saturday and Sunday.

Much colder air will then take over on Monday and Tuesday, with highs in the 40s and lows well down in the 20s. At this time, I don’t exepect any precipitation over the next 5 to 7 days, so we should begin to dry out a bit.

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 5, 6 and 10:00 P.M. 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

Sunshine Sticking Around – Christmas Eve Update 130 PM

The clouds cleared out right on time last night, leaving with us maximum sunshine today…finally! Temperatures, however, are struggling to get out of the lower 40s thanks to strong high pressure building in and a northerly wind. As the core of this high gets close to us tonight, temperatures will bottom out in the low 20s area wide, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some colder valleys to dip into the upper teens!!

A quick-moving disturbance will traverse the Southeast tomorrow, but with very dry air in place, I’m expecting only some clouds to accompany this feature…certainly no rain chances to worry about. A seemingly active northwest flow aloft will continue, so another disturbance is expected to move through Friday evening. Like Thursday, only a few clouds are possible and no rain chances will materialize with this system either. Temperatures will begin to moderate by Saturday into the upper 50s.

Another disturbance will move through Sunday evening.  The Euro model has come in this morning suggesting some rain may enter eastern and southeastern sections of the area, but the GFS keeps us dry. We’ll keep an eye on this, but for now I’ve left rain chances out of the forecast for now. I’m expecting a quick-hitting shot of cold air behind this system as highs Monday will be similar to today–low to mid 40s!

I hope everyone has a blessed and very Merry Christmas!!!

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
iwilliams@wvuatv.com
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac

The Weather Turns Colder but Sunshine Returns – Monday Evening Forecast Update 840 PM

The clouds have been very slow to clear across the state today, but that process has gotten underway over the last couple of hours. The clearing line basically runs from near Tuscaloosa up to Huntsville. The wind has continued to be gusty at times tonight as well, making the wind chill dip down into the 30s and 20s in some spots. The wind will probably stay between 5-10 mph tonight and as temperatures fall into the upper 20s, the wind chill could be as low as 20 or upper teens! There is one last upper disturbance moving through the Mid-South that could trigger additional clouds over the northern half of the area overnight towards daybreak, but no more rain is expected for the next 7 days.

High pressure builds in tomorrow and temperatures will struggle to get out of the lower 40s despite lots of sunshine. The high will shift to the north of us, but Christmas morning continues to look cold with temperatures well down in the lower 20s area wide! As that high shifts to the northeast, it will pave the way for an upper disturbance to move through the area late Wednesday into Thursday. There will be very limited moisture with this system, and at this time I’m only expecting a temporary increase in cloud cover.

Another disturbance is expected Friday evening, but again there will be limited moisture to work with so no rain is expected. The upper flow shifts to west-southwesterly by the weekend, so temperatures may warm a couple degrees into the upper 50s with no rain chances expected.

As we move towards the end of the weekend into the first part of the work week, a stronger disturbance will move through and bring in much colder air behind it. There could be just enough moisture to squeeze out a few sprinkles or light showers, but at this time I’m not including any rain chances in the forecast. Temperatures will struggle to get out of the low 40s on Monday as well! Guidance continues to suggest a stronger system to come in after the New Year, but timing issues have yet to be resolved so stay tuned!

Isaac Williams
WVUA-TV Weather
iwilliams@wvuatv.com
Twitter: @WVUA_Isaac