Author Archives: J.B. Elliott
JB’s Journal (October 23, 2013)
A STORY ABOUT JAMES SPANN: He has been around a long time and totally immersed in weather. I first met him right after he came to Birmingham to be the meteorologist at one of the TV stations on Red Mountain. … Continue reading
JB’s Journal: Partly Cloudy vs. Partly Sunny
What is the difference between the forecast terms “partly cloudy” or “partly sunny.” Well, you tell me. I think it is more or less a personal opinion. However, it became a sticking point between a couple of forecasters at the … Continue reading
Weather by the Numbers 7/3/13
As promised, here is a list of cities that were too hot again today, maybe I should say “way too hot.” This has been a hot weather event to remember forever, not just in the Desert Southwest and other parts … Continue reading
JB’S Journal, 6/25/13
Another reason I often say that, “LIGHTNING IS FRIGHTENING” Yesterday, a bolt of lightning struck a Boy Scout’s camp in New Hampshire. Nearly two dozen scouts were injured–all of them hospitalized. I have had several close calls with lightning in … Continue reading
Weather by the Numbers / 06/10/13
This is another feature I love to do. I hope I am not being overbearing. As I mentioned several weeks ago, I absolutely will not post these when there is heavy weather traffic on this Blog. After all, that is … Continue reading
JB’s Journal
As promised, I am going to write a series of stories of some of the off-beat incidents in my 32 years of work at the U.S. Weather Bureau (later named National Weather Service) all in the Birmingham office. We had … Continue reading
Statement from Storm Prediction Center
MESOSCALE DISCUSSION 0927 NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK 0505 PM CDT SAT JUN 01 2013 AREAS AFFECTED…NCNTRL AL…MIDDLE AND ERN TN THROUGH ERN KY CONCERNING…SEVERE POTENTIAL…WATCH UNLIKELY VALID 012205Z – 012330Z PROBABILITY OF WATCH ISSUANCE…20 PERCENT SUMMARY…LINE OF MULTICELL … Continue reading
JB’s JOURNAL / The Famous Brent Tornado / 5/26/13
The Famous Brent Tornado–40 Years Ago There will always be tornadoes in Alabama as well as in all states of the good old USA. All we can do is stay alert and be ready to go to a safe place … Continue reading
JB’s Journal: A Good Way to Never Shiver Again
A Good Way to Never Shiver Again It was a quiet day at NWS at 11 West Oxmoor Road. That is until the mailman came by. He delivered us a thick 11×14 brown Kraft envelope. We opened it and it … Continue reading
JB’s JOURNAL
JB’s JOURNAL / 5/17/13 An Illegal Weather Term Called Severe Clear This is the strange story of an illegal weather term that was coined by a brave Birmingham pilot who owned his own small airplane and he was only licensed … Continue reading
