Archive for May 18th, 2012
Isolated, Slow Moving Storms
These storms are moving very little, and will dissipate slowly after the sun goes down. Most Alabama communities are dry, however… scroll down for weekend forecast notes.
NOAA Weather Radio Changes
…SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO…
IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVE THE CITIZENS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA…THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM…IN COORDINATION WITH
SURROUNDING NWS OFFICES…HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO NOAA
WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER COVERAGE AREAS ON AN EXPERIMENTAL
BASIS. WHILE SOME OF THESE CHANGES WERE MADE PREVIOUSLY ON AN
EMERGENCY BASIS THANKS TO LISTENER FEEDBACK…ALL THE CHANGES
OUTLINED BELOW WILL BE COMPLETE AND GO INTO EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT
ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 30TH.
THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE TO THE
TRANSMITTERS LISTED BELOW.
TRANSMITTER COUNTIES ADDED
————- —————-
ANNISTON (MT CHEAHA) COOSA, JEFFERSON, SHELBY
BIRMINGHAM TUSCALOOSA
DEMOPOLIS CLARKE, WILCOX
MONTGOMERY BUTLER, CRENSHAW, PIKE, TALLAPOOSA
ONEONTA CULLMAN, JEFFERSON, WALKER
SELMA BIBB, BUTLER, WILCOX
TEXASVILLE CRENSHAW, RUSSELL
TUSCALOOSA JEFFERSON; NOXUBEE (MS)
WINFIELD PICKENS
THE FOLLOWING REMOVALS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 30TH. IF THERE IS
A THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER…IT WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL THE NEXT
GOOD WEATHER DAY.
TRANSMITTER COUNTIES REMOVED
————- ——————
ANNISTON (MT CHEAHA) HARALSON, HEARD (GA)
TEXASVILLE CLAY, EARLY, RANDOLPH, STEWART (GA)
THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO OTHER TRANSMITTERS INVOLVING CENTRAL
ALABAMA COUNTIES IS SET TO TAKE PLACE BY THE END OF MAY.
TRANSMITTER COUNTIES ADDED
————- —————-
CULLMAN WALKER, WINSTON
WHILE THE ACTUAL COVERAGE AREA OR FOOTPRINT OF EACH OF THESE
TRANSMITTERS HAS NOT CHANGED…THE ADDITIONAL COUNTIES WARNED ON
THESE TRANSMITTERS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO
LISTENERS AT THE OUTER EDGES OF THE COVERAGE AREA OF EACH
TRANSMITTER. BY PROVIDING WARNINGS FOR COUNTIES TYPICALLY
UPSTREAM FROM OR ADJACENT TO THOSE LOCATIONS…WE WILL BE
PROVIDING MORE ADVANCED NOTICE OF IMPENDING WEATHER
HAZARDS…WHICH WILL ALLOW MORE TIME FOR LISTENERS TO SEEK
SHELTER. USING THE RESOURCES ON OUR WEBPAGE…WE ENCOURAGE ALL
NOAA WEATHER RADIO LISTENERS TO ENSURE THEIR RECEIVERS ARE
PROGRAMMED PROPERLY TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT CHANGE TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO ACROSS CENTRAL
ALABAMA WILL BE THE ADDITION OF A SECOND WEEKLY WEATHER RADIO
TEST. PREVIOUSLY…WEEKLY TESTS WERE ONLY HELD ON
WEDNESDAYS…BUT NOW THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM
WILL BE DOING A SECOND TEST ON SATURDAYS. THE ADDITION OF
SATURDAY TESTS IS TO ENSURE THAT MORE LISTENERS ARE ABLE TO
CONFIRM THE OPERATIONAL STATUS OF THEIR WEATHER RADIOS. IF YOUR
WEATHER RADIO RECEIVES THE WEEKLY TESTS THEN IT IS STILL WORKING
PROPERLY. HOWEVER…IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE TEST THEN THERE IS
LIKELY A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIO…WHICH MEANS YOU MAY NOT
RECEIVE CRITICAL WATCH AND WARNING INFORMATION FOR YOUR AREA.
ALL TESTS WILL BE DONE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 10 AM AND NOON. IF
BAD WEATHER IS OCCURRING OR EXPECTED TO OCCUR…THEN THE TEST
WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL THE NEXT GOOD WEATHER DAY.
YOU MAY VISIT OUR NOAA WEATHER RADIO WEBPAGE AT:
WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/BMX/?N=NWR
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HUNTSVILLE…PEACHTREE CITY AND
TALLAHASSEE NWS OFFICES FOR COLLABORATION AND ASSISTANCE IN
HELPING US IMPROVE OUR NWR SERVICES.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE CHANGES OR WOULD LIKE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION…PLEASE CONTACT JOHN DE BLOCK…WARNING
COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST…AT 205-664-3010 EXT 223.
Warm Weekend Ahead; Isolated Storms
An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player on the right sidebar of the blog. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.
WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND: Our rather tame weather pattern rolls along. Temperatures this afternoon are generally in the mid 80s, and we have a few isolated storms over the Tennessee Valley of extreme North Alabama. Showers that pop up this afternoon will fade fast once the sun goes down later this evening.
TOMORROW AND SUNDAY: No real change. Highs well up into the 80s, and the risk of isolated showers and storms during the afternoon and evening hours. The chance of any one spot getting wet will remain in the 10 to 20 percent range.
NEXT WEEK: Still looking at some potential for an increase in the number of scattered showers and storms on Tuesday with a weak surface front approaching from the northwest, but the front will dissipate before bringing any cooler air to Alabama, and the GFS is printing highs around 90 Wednesday through Friday. See the Weather Xtreme video for long range ideas and details.
WEEKEND AT THE BEACH: We are projecting about 8 to 10 hours of sunshine each day along the Gulf Coast from Panama City west to Gulf Shores today through Sunday, with highs in the low to mid 80s. A few isolated showers or storms could form each day, but rain shouldn’t be a big issue, and showers won’t last long where they develop. The sea water temperature along the coast is very close to 80 degrees. Keep in mind the hurricane season for the Atlantic basin begins on June 1.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…
My next Weather Xtreme video will be posted bright and early Monday morning by 7:00… Brian Peters will have the video updates tomorrow and Sunday. Enjoy the weekend!
Happy Ending!
You might recall the story of the dog we found in a tornado ravaged part of Pratt City a couple of months ago… in very poor health and seemingly living in an abandoned home that was heavily damaged by the April 27, 2011 tornado.
Here is a picture of the dog when we first saw him…
I am glad to report this morning that the dog (named “Pratt” by BJC Animal Control)… is how happy and has a home! Here is a note from Pratt’s new “mom”…
“I am delighted to let you know that I recently adopted Pratt!
I read Pratt’s story on your weather blog and was immediately touched. I felt a strong connection to him because I was in Fultondale when the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham tornado passed through the city. That was the most terrifying moment of my life, and I would not wish it on anyone. While we don’t know if Pratt lived in the damaged home since the April tornado, it was clear that he’s had a tough time.
After visiting Pratt a couple of times, I believed we could be great companions for each other, so we became a family. Pratt is adjusting well to his new home and routine. He enjoys our walks together and playing with his toys. But most of all he LOVES to have his belly rubbed and chest scratched. He is sweet, silly, and happy and constantly by my side. We have a special bond, and I couldn’t have adopted a better dog.
I want to thank you and the ABC 33/40 crew for getting help for Pratt as well as the staff at BJC Animal Control for nursing him back to health. Thank you for sharing Pratt’s story on your blog and on Facebook – without that I would not have found my buddy.
I am attaching a couple of pictures: one is from Pratt’s first day home, and the other is after his recent visit to the groomer. He’s a handsome boy!
I would love for you to let your readers know that Pratt found a home and is doing great.”
Warm Weekend; Showers Remain Isolated
An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player on the right sidebar of the blog. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.
STAGNANT PATTERN: The overall synoptic scale weather pattern across Alabama won’t change much today and over the weekend, with partly sunny, warm days and fair nights. There will be sufficient moisture and instability for a few isolated showers or storms during the afternoon and evening hours, with the placement of those showers determined by small scale boundaries, like the one last night that triggered a couple of heavy downpours over the Tennessee Valley. The chance of any one specific point getting wet each day through Sunday will remain in the 10 to 20 percent range.
Afternoon highs will remain in the 80s, generally in the 85 to 88 degree range. The average high for this time of the year is 82.
NEXT WEEK: A weak front will approach Alabama from the northwest on Tuesday, and that should bring a general increase in the number scattered showers and storms. Still, the rain won’t be especially widespread, and I doubt if the front has enough southward push to make it through here. In fact, the GFS is printing highs around 90 by Wednesday and Thursday of next week as a summer-like pattern continues with the main rain producing systems passing well to the north of Alabama. See the Weather Xtreme video for details and graphics.
WEEKEND AT THE BEACH: We are projecting about 8 to 10 hours of sunshine each day along the Gulf Coast from Panama City west to Gulf Shores today through Sunday, with highs in the low to mid 80s. A few isolated showers or storms could form each day, but rain shouldn’t be a big issue, and showers won’t last long where they develop. The sea water temperature along the coast is very close to 80 degrees. Keep in mind the hurricane season for the Atlantic basin begins on June 1.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…
Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the day!
