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Lots of water in the soil and with that some fog and plenty of low clouds to go around this morning. But the weather will be improving today and I really expect nearly all of Central Alabama to see some sun later today as the low clouds and fog melt away. Temperatures will be a tad cooler than seasonal values today especially across the Tennessee River Valley. But in Birmingham we should see lower and mid 50s for highs.
A new short wave will zip by on Sunday, but with very little moisture to work with, we should only see a few clouds. But another strong trough enters the picture on Monday and Tuesday and promises some more rain before February ends. Rainfall amounts, though, appear to be lighter than some earlier projections. It’s now looking more like a half inch or so of rain. But in case you haven’t checked, the rain Thursday and Friday has brought the total at the Birmingham Airport up to within a half inch of normal for 2008! Yee Haw!!! The wet weather is really helping the drought situation, and I expect to see our drought level drop out of the D4 category for the first time in months when it is updated this coming week.
There is some differences between the NAM and the GFS with the GFS much faster on the progression of the front through Central Alabama. I think the NAM timing of middle of the day on Tuesday is a bit more realistic. But the rain will get out of here by late Tuesday as we await another cold snap.
The troughs will phase and bring a deep trough to the eastern US Wednesday. The 540 thickness line plunges all the way to the Gulf coast, so have those coats ready for Wednesday with temperatures not likely to get out of the 40s. And we’ll see a cold morning Thursday with good radiational cooling as skies clear and the surface high sits right over Alabama.
Moderation begins Thursday after a chilly start to the day. Our next weather system appears on the horizon Friday, but the GFS seems to be rather stingy with moisture return on this one. I know moisture can return quickly, so I’m not especially confident in the GFS solution right now. The GFS solution shows a little rain for Saturday with a brief shot of colder air.
And looking into voodoo country, the pattern remains active with weather systems around March 3 and 4, March 6, and March 8 to 9. And that is just fine by me – I’d be happy to see us go above normal on the rain!
STORM ALERT 2008: Your last chance to see our annual severe weather awareness show is coming up Tuesday night of next week. We will be at Bethel Baptist Church in Moody at 7:00 pm Tuesday. Their church building was destroyed by a tornado April 8, 1998, and the April 8th tornado is a big part of our show this year. The memories are so vivid that it is hard to believe it has been ten years.
SPECIAL ABC 33/40 NOAA WEATHER RADIO OFFER: You can purchase a top of the line Midland NOAA Weather Radio at any Handy TV location in this part of Alabama for only $29.95. These receivers have the new digital technology that allows you to choose the counties for which the alarm sounds. Get more information here.
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.
Have a great Saturday. God bless.
-Brian-
