Sharply Colder This Afternoon

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MESSY MORNING: Rain is falling early this morning across Alabama, but it is already ending over the western part of the state, and it looks like the bulk of the rain will be completely out of the state by mid-morning. And, as the rain moves out, much colder air moves in. Temperatures will go the wrong way today; after readings in the 40s this morning we expect to drop into the 30s this afternoon with a brisk north wind. There could be enough moisture left over this afternoon for a few scattered snow flurries in the cold air.

TOMORROW/THURSDAY: These days will be dry and cold. Clouds could linger into the day tomorrow, as we all know the clearing can be much slower than models advertise in this pattern. Clouds will begin to increase Thursday ahead of the next storm system.

SNOW DAY FRIDAY? There is always great weeping and gnashing of teeth ahead of any winter weather possibility in Alabama; but there is no need to get really worked up about any specific solution on Friday until we get today’s system of out here. Say it with me… “One storm at a time”! We will be able to get down to the nitty gritty details tonight and tomorrow. But for now…

Watch the Weather Xtreme video and you will see all global models continue the idea of the deepest moisture on Friday over South Alabama, with only potential for light snow up this way. The NAM and the GFS are the driest, the GEM shows the most moisture up this way. For now I think the best course of action is to simply mention a chance of mostly light snow Friday, with the best accumulation potential down toward the U.S. 80 corridor (Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, Opelika). But, this most likely will change as we get closer to Friday. Climatologically speaking, the GFS and the NAM low position doesn’t make sense; there would very well be an adjustment northward in coming days. We will see.

COLD WEEKEND: Saturday will be dry and cold, and the 06Z GFS brings down a strong impulse on the back side of the upper trough Sunday, which could squeeze out a few flurries, followed by some really cold air Monday. If you take the thickness values at face value, we will be below freezing all day Monday. We won’t go that far for now, but will watch for trends. One way or another temperatures will remain below average for the foreseeable future as the strongly Arctic Oscillation takes over.

VOODOO LAND: More winter weather fun and games show up in coming weeks in this cold/unsettled pattern; see the Weather Xtreme video for details. The cold pattern should lessen by the time we get to March.

STORM ALERT 2010 IS COMING TO WALKER COUNTY THURSDAY: Our annual severe weather rolls along; our next stop will be on Thursday at Bevill State Community College in Sumiton. You can meet the ABC 33/40 Weather team, see some amazing Alabama weather stories, learn how to keep your family safe this tornado season, and win some cool stuff. The show begins at 7:00; be sure and get there early to get a good seat. See the entire tour schedule here!

LIVE CHAT: We are now offering a real time chat here on the blog… open blog comments will stay in place, of course, but this will allow a more immediate method of communication for weather geeks. We do have moderators posted over there, so be sure and play nice. Members of our weather team will be there from time to time to answer questions; we will post those times we are available here on the blog.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 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. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left. Scroll down for the notes on this week’s new episode.

I am headed down to Tuscaloosa this morning; I will be speaking at Rock Quarry Elementary school. Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 3:30 this afternoon… enjoy the day!

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