Wednesday Night Thoughts

James Spann | January 6, 2010 @ 9:30 pm | 47 Replies

We received this note from the Birmingham NWS office recently on our chat session…

Here is what we are planning for the evening shift tonight. At this point since we are not really in any danger of upgrading to a winter storm watch/warning, we will hold steady with the products that we currently have in place through the 9/10pm broadcast. This does include our onset of snow and snow total graphics.

However, after the 00z runs start to come in, we may make some (hopefully) minor modifications to our graphics (rain/snow line, amounts, etc) we just don’t know if they will be updated before you all start your evening broadcasts.

Our forecasts thus far for today were based on the 12z (or earlier) guidance forecasts – just looking at the 18z, they seem to be hinting a bit wetter and a bit colder further south. So, if the trends continue, look for a possible shift to the south of the rain/snow line and the 1 to 2 inch line. Also, I really want to re-evaluate the idea of sleet anywhere in the CWA given the colder look of the 18z runs.

I think they will wind up with a forecast graphic that will look just like ours; the best chance of 1 to 2 inches of snow in Alabama will be from roughly I-20 southward about 50 miles, where you will find the best combination of moisture and air cold enough to support snow.

We have seen nothing so far on our incoming system to make us change anything; echoes are filling in nicely to the west. I will be up very early in the morning and should have the morning discussion and Weather Xtreme video posted by 6:00 a.m. If there is any change we might consider, it might be to up the precipitation amounts every so slightly with so much moisture showing up on upper air soundings to the west.

See you on the 10:00 News shortly!

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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.