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Be sure and watch the Weather Xtreme video for all of the graphics that go along with this discussion… a very interesting system is now on our doorstep.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH: The NWS Birmingham continues a flash flood watch for North-Central Alabama for this afternoon and tonight, as a soaking rain will develop this afternoon and tonight. Rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches are likely; I really don’t think we have any widespread flooding problems, but some localized issues are certainly possible. The rain will taper off early tomorrow morning.
TO THE NORTH: The NWS Huntsville continues a winter weather advisory for their counties in the Tennessee Valley of extreme North Alabama. They are right on the dividing line between a major ice/snow event to the north, and the big rain to the south. Some bridge icing is possible late tonight as far south as the Tennessee River. The major winter storm will be over Tennessee; where 2 to 4 inches of snow is likely along and north of I-40, with ice accumulations of 1/2 inch likely south of I-40. There could be enough ice accumulation over a narrow zone up in Tennessee for some power outages, and needless to say travel will be very difficult today and tonight over the Volunteer State. The Great Smoky mountains will see some good snow; Gatlinburg has potential for 5 to 9 inches of snow, with even higher amounts across higher elevations.
TOMORROW: Much colder air floods Alabama, coming over the snow pack just to the north. Model output statistics are too warm; considering the snow over Tennessee I doubt if we get out of the 30s tomorrow, with wind chill index values below freezing much of the day. And, snow flurries are likely, especially during the morning.
Surface temperatures should hold just above freezing for places like Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Anniston, so widespread bridge icing is not expected tomorrow morning. But, a few colder pockets north of I-20 could reach 32, and with all of the rain expected tonight there will be plenty of lingering moisture, and some black ice issues are possible in a few spots. Bottom line is that if you are traveling tomorrow morning, be sure and check the blog before you head out.
SUNDAY: We begin the day down in the low 20s, with upper teens for the colder valleys. Then, we warm into the mid to upper 40s Sunday afternoon with a strong January sun.
NEXT WEEK: A weak impulse could squeeze out a little rain Tuesday, but the most significant weather system will come at the end of the week, with potential for 1 to 2 inches of rain by Thursday and Friday.
MID-MONTH: Watch the Weather Xtreme video and you will see the Arctic Oscillation spikes negative in a big way by the middle of February; we have to wonder if we might be shivering at some point with the doors to the Yukon opening up again.
LIVE CHAT: We are now offering a real time chat here on the blog… open blog comments will stay in place, of course, but this will allow a more immediate method of communication for weather geeks. We do have moderators posted over there, so be sure and play nice. Members of our weather team will be there from time to time to answer questions; we will post those times we are available here on the blog.
STORM ALERT 2010 COMES TO GADSDEN TUESDAY: Our annual severe weather tour across Alabama rolls along; we will be in Gadsden at the Convention Hall next Tuesday night. You can meet the ABC 33/40 Weather team, see some amazing Alabama weather stories, learn how to keep your family safe this tornado season, and win some cool stuff. The show begins at 7:00; be sure and get there early to get a good seat. See the entire tour schedule here! Thanks to everybody for coming to the show in Winfield last night; what a great crowd!
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.
I am doing a weather program this morning at Weaver Elementary in Calhoun County; I will be back in the office by early afternoon, and the next Weather Xtreme video will be posted by 3:30 this afternoon. Enjoy the day!
