Author Archives: murray
Stationary Thunderstorm Causing Problems
A strong thunderstorm over southern Jefferson and northern Shelby counties has prompted a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Shelby County…including the communities of Helena, Pelham, Alabaster, Maylene. A flash flood warning is also in effect for southern Jefferson and northern … Continue reading
Your Chance to Make a Difference Now!
Last week, twenty people died in Arkansas as a result of tragic flash flooding on the Little Missouri River. Flash flood watches were out hours in advance. Warnings preceded the flood crest. NWS forecasters relayed their concern for the hardest … Continue reading
Two Historic Flash Flooding Events on June 14th
After the tragic events in Arkansas last week, it is interesting to note that two of America’s worst flash flooding disasters occurred on this date, the first in 1903 and the second in 1990. On June 14, 1903, a late … Continue reading
Atlantic Disturbance Better Organized
The tropical wave around 40W in the eastern Atlantic continues to become better organized and the National Hurricane Center says now that there is about a 50% chance that a tropical depression will form. This is generally to early for … Continue reading
A Couple of Showers
A generous field of cotton ball cumulus clouds blankets the state of Alabama this afternoon. A couple of showers have formed this afternoon, but they are having a hard time holding together. One was between Garden City and Nectar in … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes with the Hurricane Hunters (Part 2)
Yesterday we talked about the double duty role of the Loadmaster in a Hurricane Hunter mission crew. Today, we look at the other four members of a crew. The Navigator: The job of the Navigator is to make it possible … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes with the Hurricane Hunters (Part 1)
On May 19th, I was invited to fly along with several other members of the news media on a training mission with the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based in Biloxi. We gathered on base for a … Continue reading
The 1984 Barneveld MN Tornado
On the morning of Thursday, June 7, 1984, weather maps showed a major trough of low pressure across the western United States, anchored by an upper low over the northern Rockies. A long cold front snaked from Canada down through … Continue reading
Showers Moving Southeast
Our line of scattered showers extends from northern Cleburne into Calhoun and then over to northern Jefferson county. The sky has become dark here in Trussville and a smattering of rain is falling. Surprisingly, the top of this thunderstorm cell … Continue reading
Showers Not Very Organized
Our line of showers continues progressing southeastward at this our, but they are not very organized. They are widely spaced from northern Walker through Cullman into Marshall and DeKalb Counties. Other storms were over South Central Alabama from Autauga through … Continue reading
