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Cold Day; Some Light Precipitation Possible

| February 6, 2014 @ 6:10 am

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AT DAYBREAK: Temperatures are generally in the upper 20s and low 30s around here just before sun-up, the sky is cloudy, and we have nothing on the radar. Had a report of very tiny snow grains around Montgomery, but all is generally quiet. The radars to the west are quiet as well.

THE DAY AHEAD: A disturbance in the southern branch of the jet stream will bring some risk of scattered, light precipitation to Alabama today, but there is no comparison to the system we dealt with last Tuesday. Many of the really good, high resolution computer models show no precipitation at all over the northern half of Alabama today, and with no action on radar west of here, that idea is certainly credible. Many of you won’t have any measurable precipitation.

However, there will be some isentropic lift, and a little scattered light rain is certainly possible later today. And, thermal profiles are cold enough to hint that a few snow flakes or sleet patches could be in the mix. However, vertical velocities are just not very impressive, and moisture is not very deep. And, also on the positive side, temperatures will be above freezing today, quite the contrast to last Tuesday when we hovered around 20 degrees all day.

Here is the WPC graphic showing the chance of greater than one inch of snow over the next 24 hours, and they aren’t very worried either.

prb_24hsnow_ge01_2014020612f024

Today’s high will only around 40 degrees.

TOMORROW AND THE WEEKEND: Tomorrow will be a bit brighter, and not as cold. There should be some filtered sunshine during the day with a high in the upper 40s. The good news is that the weekend looks generally dry. An upper trough could bring a touch of light rain or a shower late tomorrow night or early Saturday, but beyond that Saturday and Sunday look mostly rain-free as a surface low in the Gulf of Mexico stays far to the south. Look for a mix of sun and clouds both days; the high Saturday will be in the mid 50s, with a high closer to 50 degrees Sunday.

NEXT WEEK: Monday will be cool and dry, but a wave in the southern stream promises to bring a good rain event to our state late Tuesday, Tuesday night, and into Wednesday. The air looks too cool for thunderstorms, and too warm for winter weather issues… just good ole fashioned rain. However thermal fields are not usually handled well by models so far in advance, and we will need to watch for any potential winter weather mischief on the northern flank of that big mass of precipitation.

Rain amounts of around one inch look likely, and the rain should begin to move out by Wednesday afternoon. Drier air follows for Thursday and Friday.

Take some time to watch the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and details.

STORM ALERT 2014 KICKS OFF TONIGHT: Our annual severe weather awareness tour across Alabama kicks off tonight; we will be at Gadsden City High School at 6:30 (doors open at 5:00). You will get an introduction to storm spotting, see the “good, the bad, and the ugly” concerning last week’s snow, learn how to stay safe this tornado season, and have a chance to win some cool stuff. If you have kids that love weather, bring them. They will love it. Hope to see you tonight in Gadsden.

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.

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Not sure I will be able to crank out a video this afternoon with the storm tour beginning, but I will post a fresh discussion here by 4:00. Enjoy the day….

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Category: Alabama's Weather

About the Author ()

James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.

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