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HIGHER FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Looks like we now have a pretty grasp on weather events through the weekend. Many things are happening Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday, so hopefully this discussion and the Weather Xtreme video will answer your questions.
TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY: The sky will remain mostly fair tonight, followed by a mostly cloudy day tomorrow. There will be sufficient moisture for a few scattered showers and thunderstorms late tomorrow, tomorrow night, and Friday, but the organized action will remain well to the west, where a dangerous flood situation could be developing in the general region from Houston to Memphis. Also, a few severe thunderstorms are likely in that same region tomorrow afternoon as the deep upper trough moves slowly to the west. Interesting to note this feature is expected to drop over one foot of snow on Denver during the next 24 hours.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: I would suggest rain gear for the games both tomorrow night and Friday night, but the showers will be scattered and many stadiums will be dry. There is no significant chance of severe weather, and no really heavy rain is expected. Temperatures will be mostly in the upper 60s during the games.
HALLOWEEN WEEKEND/NASCAR WEATHER: The 12Z GFS continues the idea of a slower movement of the upper trough. Saturday will be mild and breezy with a chance of scattered showers and storms, but the main band of thunderstorms associated with the trough won’t get here until late Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. With the trough going negative tilt, and a fair amount of instability involved, we will have a chance of strong to severe storms in the general period from 3:00 p.m. Saturday through 12:00 midnight Saturday night. Rain amounts of around 1 inch will be likely. Trick or treaters will also have to dodge rain drops, and possibly bolts of lightning. Dry air takes over Sunday with returning sunshine and a high around 70.
For NASCAR fans coming in to Talladega, you will have to dodge scattered showers or storms Friday and Saturday, but the rain won’t be continuous on these days, and the sun will be out at times with highs well into the 70s. Strong storms will likely arrive at the Superspeedway Saturday night, which could produce high winds. But, Sunday looks great for the Amp Energy 500 with a sunny sky and a high around 70.
TIME CHANGE: Don’t forget we gain an hour of sleep this weekend as we go back on standard time; the sun will set Sunday afternoon at 4:55 p.m. CST. Set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
NEXT WEEK: For now the first half of next week looks cool and dry with seasonal temperatures. A deep upper trough will sweep through here late Monday and Monday night; there could be a few showers around, but they will be very scattered.
WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 30 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. You can even listen here on the blog; look for the player on the top left.
STORM ALERT XTREME: Want to be trained as a storm spotter? Want to join the ABC 33/40 Skywatcher team? Our annual training event, Storm Alert Xtreme, is coming up on Saturday November 14 at the BJCC during the annual Birmingham International Auto Show. You will be trained by the best SKYWARN trainer in the nation, our own Brian Peters (he has trained over 6,000 Alabama storm spotters over the years). We encourage all of our Skywatchers to attend this every year; you simply cannot get enough training. We will begin at 9:30, and be out by 3:30. And, everyone that attends Storm Alert Xtreme gets free admission to the Alabama International Auto Show. There is no admission charge, and no need to register. Just show up, but get there early for a good seat. We had a packed house last year.
I had a great time today seeing the 5th graders at Trace Crossings Elementary; be looking for them on the Pepsi KIDCAM today at 5:00 on ABC 33/40 News. The next Weather Xtreme video will be posted by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…
