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Another chillish day in store for Central Alabama, but hold tight as we see a gradual warm up Monday and Tuesday. But then be prepared for storms Wednesday or early Thursday.
That major storm system was located just off Cape Cod this morning. Snowfall amounts ranged from as little as a few inches to over two feet in the reports I saw. Things will be slow for the area from Richmond, VA, all the way across Washington, Baltimore, New York City to Boston today as they begin the process of digging out from under the snow. Unfortunately clouds will be holding tough. If it would clear out up there, the snowfield would be great to see from the satellite. Maybe Monday there will be enough clearing to get a view of it.
Weak ridging along with a surface high sliding east and southeast across Central Alabama will bring some uneventful days to us Monday and Tuesday. While that is happening, a vigorous trough and closed low will be developing over the Southwest US that will bring a strong storm system and surface low across the Central US. The GFS has settled down with a fairly consistent track across the Mid-South which will bring much warmer air to us on Wednesday along with the potential for severe storms.
SPC has outlooked an area covering a large chunk of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana for Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning. Still some questions – as there always are this far out – about instability and the ability of the storms to become surface based. But the crew here will be watching developments to keep you apprised of the latest information.
Rainfall amounts for this event could reach 3 to 4 inches off to our west, but for us it looks like amounts in the range of 1 to 2 inches.
The front should barrel through here on Thursday, so I expect Christmas eve to be a day with the rain/storms ending but temperatures probably not changing much. By Christmas Day, it looks dry for us but cold with temperatures holding in the 40s or even falling slightly as strong cold air advection occurs. Be prepared for the cold air to stick around for several days as the upper trough moves slowly with strong impulses rotating down the western side of the trough helping to reinforce the cold air.
The threat of snow appears to be quite diminished. With the very cold air in place, any moisture or cloudiness could produce a few snow flurries, but with this forecast run it seems the chances are much reduced.
Cold through the weekend after Christmas with a warm up beginning as the last week of 2009 gets started. And in the longer range, the GFS is suggesting a mild to warm start to 2010, but that is voodoo country so we’ll see how it plays out.
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Thanks for staying tuned with us. I am looking forward to being the Innkeeper again this evening at Helena United Methodist Church and our “Journey to Bethlehem.” “Journey” traces the story of Jesus birth with scenes as you walk around the church. So bundle up and come out and join us from 5 to 6:30 pm and enjoy the reason for the season. James Spann will be back with the next Xtreme first thing Monday morning. Have a blessed day and Godspeed.
-Brian-
For your meteorological consulting needs, Coleman and Peters, LLC, can provide you with accurate, detailed information on past storms, lightning, flooding, and wind damage. Whether it is an insurance claim needing validation or a court case where weather was a factor, we can furnish you with information you need. Please call us at (205) 568-4401.
