Afternoon Update
**No Weather Xtreme video this afternoon… focusing mainly on radar and ongoing weather**
RIGHT NOW: A well defined cold front is northwest of Alabama…
Quite the contrast in Arkansas… Little Rock is at a balmy 62 degrees at midday, while back in the cold air on the other side of the front Fayetteville is almost 30 degrees colder with 34.
IN ALABAMA: Strong storms are moving into Northwest Alabama early this afternoon…
Earlier, a tornado warning was required for a few counties in North Mississippi, but the storms weakened as they moved into the more stable air over Alabama.
As has been discussed here often in recent days, there is very little instability in Alabama. See the surface based CAPE values below…
This will be factor limiting the severe weather threat this afternoon, but in the strongly sheared environment we will have to watch the radar closely for storms that show signs of rotation. A small tornado has touched down near Louisville, KY this morning with basically no surface based instability. We all know these high shear, low CAPE events can be difficult to forecast, and can often bring a surprise or two.
We will still expect our main severe weather risk in Alabama from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m… stronger storms will produce gusty winds, possibly some small hail, and a few isolated tornadoes are not out of the question.
REST OF THE WEEK AND THE WEEKEND: Tomorrow will be mostly sunny but sharply colder with a high between 45 and 49, and we drop below freezing by early Thursday. Then, we warm up quickly by Friday and the weekend. A few showers could show up late Friday or Friday night, but rain looks likely Saturday with the next impulse blowing through here. Sunday will be mostly cloudy and very mild with highs well up in the 60s. A few stray showers are possible Sunday, but nothing really widespread.
LONG RANGE: The GFS is still showing a weather system with significant severe weather potential next Tuesday, but the ECMWF holds the system off until Wednesday and is weaker. See the morning Weather Xtreme video for more long range details and ideas.
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. Scroll down for the show notes on the new episode we recorded last night.
CONNECT: You can find me on all of the major social networks…
I had a great time today visiting with the kindergarten kids at Weaver Elementary in Calhoun County… be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News. And, stay tuned for updates on the Alabama weather situation…
Category: Alabama's Weather
About the Author (Author Profile)
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.Subscribe
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