An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player below, and on iTunes…
HIGH RISK: As you know by know, the Storm Prediction Center has much of Alabama in a rare “high risk” of severe thunderstorms today. This is their definition of a high risk:
“The HIGH risk area almost always means a major severe weather outbreak is expected, with great coverage of severe weather and enhanced likelihood of extreme severe (i.e., violent tornadoes or extreme convective wind events over a large area). Within a high risk area, expect at least 20 tornadoes with at least 2 of them rated F3+, or an extreme derecho causing 50+ widespread wind events (50+) with numerous higher end wind (80+ mph) and structural damage reports.”
Here is an interesting note from the Birmingham NWS office:
THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS PLACED MOST OF CENTRAL ALABAMA UNDER
A HIGH RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR TODAY. SINCE 1989…PARTS
OF ALABAMA HAVE BEEN UNDER A HIGH RISK ON 10 OCCASIONS:
NOVEMBER 15 1989 (HUNTSVILLE TORNADO)
MARCH 27 1994 (PALM SUNDAY TORNADO OUTBREAK)
NOVEMBER 27 1994
MAY 2 1997
APRIL 8 1998 (OAK GROVE F5 TORNADO)
MAY 5 1999
OCTOBER 13 2001
NOVEMBER 10 2002 (VETERANS DAY TORNADO OUTBREAK)
MAY 5 2003
APRIL 7 2006
Let me say up front there is no need to fear the weather today, but you do need to use your common sense and be in a position to hear severe weather warnings, and have a plan of action if a tornado warning is issued. It is that simple.
SCHOOLS: The situation for every Alabama school system is different, but I ask officials to consider this point today as they make decisions about early closing. In a number of rural Alabama counties, a large percentage of children live in mobile homes. A school building offers much greater protection.
You can watch the Weather Xtreme video for a complete briefing… nothing has changed in the past 24 hours concerning our thinking.
The thunderstorms across the area this morning will have the potential for hail and strong winds, but the primary severe weather threat will come later today and early tonight. We will revise the time table a bit; the best chance of severe storms will be from around 12:00 Noon until 9:00 p.m. An amazing, coupled jet structure, strong veering of the wind in the lower 10,000 feet, and a rapidly destabilization process means the potential for a dangerous severe weather outbreak across Alabama.
IMPORTANT NOTES…
*You can see a live stream of our Pinpoint Doppler radar anytime… access the stream from the main ABC 33/40 weather page.
*That same stream, of course, will carry our tornado coverage when we go “wall to wall” later today.
*J.B. Elliott and Bill Murray will have frequent blog updates today as always; you won’t find better Internet coverage of a severe weather event anywhere.
*If you have digital pictures or video of severe weather or damage, please send them as an e-mail attachment to this address:
See the video for the long range thoughts… and there will not be an afternoon Weather Xtreme video today, needless to say, due to the weather situation. We will get back to the regular schedule tomorrow….
