Author Archives: AWXVTEC FEED
Lightning at 250,000 feet
Otha “Skeet” Vaughan, retired research scientist from Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville and all-around nice guy, spoke to the central Alabama chapter of the NWA last week. His research early on was in rocket and missile technology. He worked … Continue reading
Good news on rain and cooler air
First of all, did you not smile over the weekend as you watched it rain? It was great to see. Just since Friday, most places in central Alabama have seen rain, with some spots getting heavy amounts (2.89″ at BHM … Continue reading
Another Fayette Report
The strongest storms today in our viewing area stayed in West Alabama. Here is another damage report from Fayette: “This afternoon strong straight line winds took down several utility poles in Fayette where I live. It occured around 5:00-6:00 at … Continue reading
Moisture, unstable air!
Finally, the air over Alabama has become more moist and unstable. With no warm-air inversion to cap the thunderstorm activity, warm surface temperatures, and plenty of atmospheric moisture, storms are already forming this morning. By afternoon, CAPE values could reach … Continue reading
Heat wave continues for now
Temperatures at 3 pm are above 100 across much of north and central Alabama. BHM 103, ANB 102, TCL 100, HSV 100. Record already broken. If anything, with little air movement and dry ground, we could approach 105 or 106 … Continue reading
Potential tropical system
Of course, Hurricane Dean is the big story, as it comes ashore today in the Yucatan as a very strong storm. However, we’re still also watching the tropical wave in the western Atlantic. It is not developing much right now, … Continue reading
Felix and cool air
Obviously Dean is the major story, but we may need to keep our eye on another tropical wave NE of the Antilles, that could become Tropical Storm Felix this week (see Bill Murray’s blog below). Today, the Canadian GEM is … Continue reading
Dean Intensifying
Aircraft recorded flight-level winds of 124 knots (145 mph) in Dean around noon, with a closed eye wall. NHC has updated the offical intensity of Dean to 110 knots, which is just short of being a Category 4 hurricane. Dean … Continue reading
Early Morning Rains…
Just getting ready for the 5 AM news, and I am staring at some very heavy storms up in northwestern Alabama. The NWS radar estimates up in Marion County, based on the Shelby County Airport Doppler, show anywhere from 4 … Continue reading
Aircraft Reconaissance for Dean
A U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft has been flying around in Hurricane Dean today. Latest message from aircraft indicates maximum flight-level winds around 75 knots (85 mph) in the NW quadrant of the hurricane. They also found an eye … Continue reading
