Not much progress in the last 6 to 8 hours. However, a low pressure area will intensify along the front later today. This, along with certain things going on upstairs will speed the eastward movement. Still looks like an overnight arrival for Alabama.
At 2:30 on this Thursday morning, the front extended from NW Indiana down across Southern Illinois and SE Missouri into NW Arkansas and Texas. All of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana still enveloped by very warm (for late November) air.
In Arkansas, temperatures vary from 68 in the extreme SE corner to near freezing NW. In Oklahoma it was near 70 in the SE corner to teens in the Panhandle!
Adverse wintry weather will affect (and even cripple) a wide area, Just two of many examples:
ST LOUIS
Freezing rain and sleet later today with 1/4 ice accumulation. Even that much ice can turn streets and highways into a skating rink. Freezing rain and sleet all night tonight (Thursday night) with heavy snow also developing. Snow and sleet accumulations 7 to 9 inches before the show is over.
DALLAS AND FORT WORTH
Snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch today. Ice accumulation from freezing rain up to 1/4 inch.
SEVERE WEATHER THREAT
The NWS/SPC (Storm Prediction Center) in an updated discussion very early this morning has posted a slight risk area for all of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. For Alabama, it will be mainly tonight, although possibly late this afternoon for the Extreme NW. Expect a line of thunderstorms so it will be mostly a damaging wind threat but can’t rule out as possible isolated tornado. This does not appear to be a major severe weather threat.
BIRMINGHAM TODAY
Should reach 74 degrees about 14 degrees above normal.
SPOT REPORTS BASED ON OFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS AT 2 AM
Little Rock…68, cloudy
Wichita…25, cloudy, brisk north winds
Denver…4 above zero, clear
Oklahoma City…28, cloudy, windy
Memphis…66, cloudy
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)…36, cold rain, 1/2 inch rain last hour
Amarillo…18, moderate snow, ground covered
San Antonio…72, light rain
St. Louis…37, cold rain
Kansas City…23, cloudy, brisk north wind
Birmingham…66 cloudy
OTHER REPORTS
…6 to 8 inch snow drifts near Borger, Texas, in the Panhamdle
…Measured 4 inch average snow depth NE of Amarillo, drifts 7 to 10 inches
NOTE: James Spann will have an extensive discussion here by around 6 am along with video. During the day, we will also post progress reports on the progression of the cold air.
