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LOTS OF DAMAGE: Scroll down for damage pictures from our viewers with the pre-dawn gravity wave. The damage was not directly related to thunderstorms; it all happened near the back edge of the big rain mass that moved through this morning. The NWS issued a high wind warning ahead of the wave, which produced winds in the 40 to 70 mph range across a large part of North and Central Alabama. Our own Dr. Tim Coleman is one of the world’s top experts on these events; I am sure he will weigh in later today.
See his gravity wave lessons here…
LATER TODAY: Another round of showers and storms should fire up later today, especially in the 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. time frame. Seems like this won’t be a perfect setup for severe storms; the big question involves the recovery of the airmass across Alabama in the wake of the big morning storm complex. The RPM suggests instability values will remain under 1,000 j/kg, which will limit the severe potential. Also, the highest helicity values are pulling away to the northeast. But, we will be watching anyway, and SPC has all of Alabama in a slight risk for severe weather later today and this evening. Our main risk here, if severe storms do develop, most likely will come from hail and strong winds. But, remember, with it comes to thunderstorms expect the unexpected.
REST OF THE WEEK: After some morning clouds, the sky should become partly sunny tomorrow with a high in the mid 60s. Then, the rest of the week with dry and pleasant with highs mostly in the 70s.
WEEKEND PEEK: The 06Z GFS hints that showers should move into West Alabama Saturday, with rain and storms likely statewide Saturday night into Sunday. Some heavy rain is possible from this kind of setup, with some risk for strong storms. We will fine tune the forecast as we go along the week.
LAND OF VOODOO: Wow… watch the Weather Xtreme video and you can see how the GFS lifts the mid-latitude westerlies well up into Canada late this month. If this is correct, it will be warm and drier conditions for the southern U.S. during the last week of the month. Of course, this is all speculation. We will be watching for model consistency.
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.
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SPECIAL ABC 33/40 NOAA WEATHER RADIO OFFER: You can purchase the WR-100 Midland NOAA Weather Radio, the best selling model in the nation, at any Publix or Handy TV location in this part of Alabama for only $29.95. These receivers have the new digital technology that allows you to choose the counties for which the alarm sounds. Every Alabama home and business needs one!
I will crank out another Weather Xtreme video later today if severe storms don’t become a factor… stay tuned to the blog for updates through the day. Never a dull moment around here this time of the year…
