The Thursday afternoon edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player below, and on iTunes:
A large mass of rain continues to move into Alabama from the west. Rain is falling all the way from New Orleans northward to Chicago, and widespread rain and a few thunderstorms are ahead tonight and tomorrow morning. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms near the Gulf coast tonight, but limited instability should prevent any severe weather issues up this way. We do note a tornado watch is up for much of Southeast Louisiana, the first severe weather watch of 2007.
We still project rainfall amounts averaging one to two inches for the northern half of Alabama during the next 24 hours, with heavier totals over the southern third of the state. The rain will diminish from west to east during the midday hours tomorrow.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: I still think Saturday might be a decent day. Sure, there could be a few isolated showers around, but on the positive side I think the sun peeks out at times by afternoon, and there is a good chance we will see 70 degrees or higher if the sun can appear at all. But, more widespread rain is ahead for Sunday as the next wave from the FCSM (Four Corners Storm Machine) approaches and provides good lift. The Sunday rain event should bring at least one inch of rain in here, and if the amounts are higher we will have to watch for some potential flash flood issues.
NEXT WEEK: The rain finally ends Sunday night, and Monday will be a “cold air advection” kind of day. Clouds lingering through much of the day and a chilly north wind. I am beginning to think we will have a hard time getting out of the 40s. Then, cool and dry weather is the story for Tuesday and Wednesday with lots of sun and a light freeze both mornings.
LONG RANGE: Good confidence in a very cold upper trough forming over the western states by the end of next week. This will bring cold air well southward into California, with the potential for lots of mountain snow around Los Angeles and San Diego. If the 12Z GFS is correct, Flagstaff, Arizona might be measuring snow in terms of feet instead of inches around January 13. This is very typical of a positive NAO phase; very cold weather out west under the trough, with a warmer ridge over the east.
Greatest concern here is for a front to stall out near Alabama, possibly setting up an extended heavy rain event in the January 14-17 time frame. This will be in the battleground between the cold air out west, and the warm air to the east.
WEATHER BRAINS: If you haven’t heard it, be sure and check out this week’s WeatherBrains, our weekly 30 minute netcast. Really a fun show with Bill “Bubba” Bussey joining us, along with our long time friend Kevin Selle in Dallas with an excellent report on how the President of the United States had to dodge a Texas tornado recently. It is great to be working with Rick and Bubba on WZZK… we are going to have lots of fun in coming years.
SKYCAMS: Don’t forget you can see still images and weather data from all of our SKYCAM sites anytime online. Always interesting to watch… Alabama is quite a scenic state and the SKYCAM network gives us a great view. We hope to have the new Clanton site online soon.
I will have the next Weather Xtreme video posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow… stay dry!
