StormForce31.com Weather Blog

Many of us awoke to sounds of thunder and flashes of lightening this morning as the seasons 1st severe thunderstorms passed through the TN Valley. Several locations from NW Alabama to the Huntsville Metro Area to the mountains of NE Alabama reported golf ball to 1/4 size hail. Some of the most impressive hail from this event fell across portions of Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties, from Guntersville to Rainsville to Pisgah. In this corridor some of you may have thought that winter had made a full return as the ground turned bright white. But, it was not snow! Instead, it was accumulations of hail. In fact, some spots reported up to 1 inch of hail accumulation. Below are pictures and video that were submitted by viewers via MyWAAY.

Will there be more severe weather this weekend? The answer is no: however, it will be gray and drizzerable as we will see abundant cloud cover and occasional showers and drizzle for both Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will be chilly too, only climbing to around 50 degrees in the afternoon. The good news is by late next week, temperatures will rise back into the 60’s. Next weekend, might not be too bad!

Dale Bader/Storm Force 31, Meteorologist

Then Starts a Gray Weekend

Morning showers and thunderstorms that started Thursday morning will seem to be repeated Friday as more rain and thunderstorms will spread into the Tennessee Valley with another rotating storm system that will head into a moisture rich environment.  It is good that the t-storms will visit in the early morning hours instead of the afternoon and evening when the energy in the system is less.

Following the round of rain and t-storms, we’ll see a return to gray skies, and cool temperatures.  Unlike Thursday’s rain which ended with a GORGEOUS afternoon, the weekend will start off gray and wet, with light rain and drizzle Saturday, followed by more gray and damp weather on Sunday

At this time I am not anticipating widespread severe weather; however, now is the time to get ready. As we continue to head through the Spring season severe storms will become more likely. For that reason I strongly encourage you to sign up for WeatherCall!

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well.  Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

A Few Chances for Some Stronger T-storms

While it is not yet possible to pinpoint the times when the atmospheric dynamics will come together to make for severe t-storms this week, there is more a likelihood that we’ll see a few periods of thunder and lightning sporadically as the showers pass across the Tennessee Valley between now and when the most unsettled flow moves across on Friday.

Behind that, we’ll see hours of clouds and perhaps showers into Saturday as a very cold air mass moves across the Tennessee Valley in the higher levels of the atmosphere.  This will keep the likelihood for an unsettled day to remain in place Saturday, and I cannot rule out the chance for an isolated t-shower with the chance for some hail.

At this time I am not anticipating widespread severe weather; however, now is the time to get ready. As we continue to head through the Spring season severe storms will become more likely. For that reason I strongly encourage you to sign up for WeatherCall!

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well.  Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

• Anderson (Lauderdale County)
Huntsville International Airport (Madison County)
• Lynchburg (Moore County, TN)
• Moulton (Lawrence County)
• Muscle Shoals (Colbert County)
• Owens Crossroads (Madison County)
• Union Grove (Marshall County)
• Valley Head (DeKalb County)
• West Point (Cullman County)
• Winchester (Franklin County, TN)

December

December was forecast to be slightly colder than normal with near normal precipitation; however, we did forecast that it would be a bit snowy with 3.3” forecast. December was also forecast to be the warmest, with respect to normal, of the three winter months.

As we look back, December’s temperatures were indeed the least below normal versus January and February with the average temperature being only 1.0 degree below normal. That compares quite well with the forecast of 1.2 degrees below normal. The forecast also worked out well with regards to the number of days forecast to have a high temperature of 45 degrees or less.

December ended up being the wettest of the three winter months with precipitation averaging 1.59” above normal. The forecast was much drier with the expected difference versus normal being 0.5” below normal.

Regarding snowfall, the month started out on a white note with snow greeting those of you who attended the WAAY 31 Christmas Parade but the remainder of the month saw few if any additional flakes. The average total snowfall across the Valley for the month was just 0.5”. The forecast had called for 3.3”

January

January was forecast to be cold and it definitely was! We began the new year with a high temperature in the low 40s but it would be another ten days before we would top the 40 degree mark again. January 2-10 saw temperatures that averaged just 24 degrees and was the coldest start to a new year, ever! The coldest temperature recorded at Huntsville International Airport was 13 and at the Northwest Regional Airport in Muscle Shoals it was 11. Several locations, though, did see a few morning low temperatures drop below 10 degrees. The cold hold would remain through January 12th before a thaw set in. The thaw lasted for much of the remainder of the month with the warmest day topping out at 69. But the damage was still done and the average monthly temperature still ended up 3.4 degrees below normal. That compared quite well against the forecast of 4.3 degrees below normal.

January was forecast to be a rather dry month being 2.6” below normal. It was slightly drier than normal but not as dry as the forecast was anticipating. The official average across the Valley was 0.16” below normal.

The snowfall forecast was also rather close. The forecast called for 0.5” of snowfall with the actual Valley average being 1.1”.

January 2010 also saw the first ever recorded tornado during the month of January within 50 miles of Huntsville. In fact, the tornado went right through the 5-Points district of Huntsville and was captured on the WAAY 31 Towercam.

February

February was forecast to be the coldest month of the winter with regards to normal and that was the case. The average monthly temperature was 6.5 degrees below normal and that was just 0.4 of degree colder than forecast!

The month was also forecast to be on the drier side of normal (0.2” below normal) and it was (1.42” below normal). Even though it was drier than normal, we saw our fair share of snowfall during the month. The first occurred as a bit of a surprise on February 8th. This system delivered a narrow swath of accumulating snow from Lauderdale County to northern Madison County. Several reports of 3” to 6” were recorded in Lauderdale County.

National Weather Service

A more southern system delivered snow on the 12th across portions of Cullman, Marshall and DeKalb counties.

National Weather Service

More snow arrived for Valentine’s Day into President’s Day with another 1” to 3” falling across much of the Valley.

In total, the average Valley snowfall for the month was 2.1” while the forecast called for 3.7”. Again this is based on the average of just a few locations. Many of us in the Valley saw more than 2” of snow this February.

In total, the average Valley snowfall was 3.6” compared to the 7.6” forecast; however, we did see snow just a couple days late, arriving on March 2. The average snowfall for the 2nd of March was 2”. Add that to the 3.6” and the winter snowfall total would go within 2” of the forecast. Here is the official Valley amounts used from the National Weather Service:

There you have it, a look back at Winter 2009-2010 and the Storm Force 31 Winter Forecast. We will let you be the final graders of how we did.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Warming Things Up Will Mean T-storm Threat Returns Next Week

Upside to Cold Weather: Little Threat of Severe T-storms.

Downside to Cold Weather: Snow and Ice

Upside to Warming Weather: Shorts and T-shirts

Downside to Warming Weather: Threat of Severe T-storms

We are trading in one set of ups and downs for another in the next week in the Tennessee Valley. The cold weather from MON-WED will be replaced by warming weather that will make the weekend a picture of weather perfection (for early March…) and the start of the next workweek a reminder that the threat of thunderstorms is again entering the Tennessee Valley.

“Nuff Said”.

EVERY HOME, SCHOOL, and DAYCARE needs WAAY-31 WEATHERCALL TODAY!

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well. Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

March Marches in as  Lamb or a Lion?

Depending on your opinion March has begun as a lamb with the soft white snow or as a lion due to the cold and troubles the snow delivered. Either way, the snow made for some pretty scenes across the Tennessee Valley. Here are the photos you have submitted.

If you have additional photos or videos you would like to share of this snow event simply upload them at MyWAAY or email them to pix@waaytv.com.

For a area total of snowfall, click here for the NWS snow totals update.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

When the Weekend Ends, The Nice Weather Disappears

Monday is the day of change in the Tennessee Valley. Middle 50s and sunshine on Sunday is now a thing of the past. Another wintry storm will move into then out of the Gulf of Mexico early this week. As it does, the track of the storm versus the track of the arriving cold weather will determine where and if it will snow in the Tennessee Valley.

To make sure you and your family are prepared for what ever “Mother Nature” throws at us this Severe Weather Season, now is the time to get your severe weather plan in order. One of the pieces of that plan should include WAAY 31’s Weather Call. Go to http://stormforce31.waaytv.com for details and instructions on how to sign up.

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well. Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

What Can the Tennessee Valley Expect?

Are you ready for Spring, yet? Many in the Valley are after the winter we have seen. Temperatures have averaged about nine degrees below normal and many of us have seen our fair share of snowfall. Can we expect more of the same or will Spring arrive on time?

Unfortunately, the official Storm Force 31 Spring Outlook is calling for more cold. In fact, even more snow is possible. The good news is that is does appear the occurance of severe weather will be less than in recent Springs. However, the overall weather pattern will be dynamic and full of energy and that translates to the fact that even though there may be fewer days with severe weather, the severe weather that does occur could be on the intense side of things.

Here are the monthly forecasts for the Spring period, March, April and May:

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Weekend Weather TRULY Taking a Break, But THINK SEVERE WEATHER

The weekend was amazing, if not better. Monday is the start of another big change in our weather that will have us falling back below freezing in the mornings by Wednesday with highs almost 30 degrees cooler WED and THU than they were on Sunday (69).

After Monday morning’s rains, clouds will remain much of the week, as a couple cooldowns occur, one on Monday and another Tuesday Night and Wednesday.

As a reminder, this week is SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK, the week we set aside to remind you all that this is the time that the busiest period of severe weather occurs in the Tennessee Valley into the late Spring.  Click to be taken to NWS Huntsville’s Severe Weather Awareness page, and please send this blog to your friends, link in on your Facebook page, and remind EVERYONE that they need WAAY-31 WeatherCall. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW.

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well. Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

BradHuffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Regis Philbin will christen Titanic Museum Attraction on Thursday, April 8

Recently, I took my family to the Smokies, and spent a few winter days at a water park (yes a WATER park that is INDOORS) and had the opportunity to see lots of attractions. And if you have been to one of the closest real getaway places from the Tennessee Valley recently you may have noticed a SHIP next to the Wonder Works Museum.  Below is information about that ship, and how you can be a part of its christening.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Family members and descendants of those on board Titanic to participate

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee – February 16, 2010 – The new $25 million dollar permanent Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. will open on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. with a star-studded Grand Opening hosted by Regis Philbin. The event, which is open to the public, also will be attended by descendants and family members of those onboard the Titanic and includes a christening of the ship.

Philbin, best known for his television shows including Live With Regis & Kelly (Kathie Lee) and Who Wants to be A Millionaire, will serve as master of ceremonies during the Grand Opening. Philbin’s television career started more than 50 years ago when he was a reporter in San Diego. Since that time, he has become a national fixture with a string of Emmy Award-winning shows. The christening and Grand Opening events, which take place outside of the Titanic Museum Attraction, are free and open to the public.

Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck reproduction of the Titanic. The museum houses 20 galleries to display hundreds of authentic, priceless Titanic artifacts that were either carried from the ship and into lifeboats by passengers and crew, or were found afloat soon after the sinking and quickly salvaged by rescue boats.

Inside the Titanic Museum, visitors find full-size reproductions (built to actual Titanic blueprints) of a First Class suite, First Class hallways, Third Class accommodations and – the museum’s centerpiece – a $1 million exact reproduction of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase. The First Class suite will be a tribute to Isidor and Ida Straus, owners of Macy’s Department Stores, which was also the cabin used in James Cameron’s blockbuster movie Titanic as Rose’s suite.

“We pay respect to Titanic by telling the story of the ship and her passengers,” said John Joslyn, owner of the new Titanic Museum Attraction. “Visitors learn the individual stories of those onboard the ship as they are learning about the ship itself. We have spent years researching these people – and their stories are absolutely amazing.

“In addition to an unparalleled collection of artifacts, we have built the Titanic Museum as a completely interactive attraction. You hear the wonderful stories as you’re going through the museum, but you are also experiencing things the way they were in 1912 when Titanic sailed. It’s one thing to hear about the men who shoveled coal into the boilers – but it comes to life for you when you pick up that shovel and feel what it means to shovel coal into a furnace.”

In addition to being a world class museum in the truest sense of the word, Titanic Pigeon Forge is also highly interactive and offers a hands-on experience for children, teenagers and adults. The ship is anchored in water to create the illusion of Titanic at sea, and a two hour self-guided tour gives guests the sensation of sailing on the original ship’s 1912 maiden voyage. Upon entry, each guest receives a boarding pass bearing the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member whose fate is revealed on the Memorial Wall at tour end. Along the way, powerful emotions surface as guests:

Walk Titanic’s Grand Staircase
Touch the frozen surface of an “iceberg”
Feel the chill of that fateful “Starry Night”
Test the 28 degree water
Interact with various Titanic models
Grip the ship’s wheel and follow the Captain’s commands
Tour world-class galleries and the 300 rare historical artifacts
Sit in a Titanic lifeboat and listen to actual survivors tell their stories
Send an SOS from the Marconi Wireless Room
Test their balance while standing on mini-decks built to show the ever-steeper slope of Titanic as she sank
Watch children eight years and younger explore the special interactive TOT-Titanic Play-and-Learn Room. 1) steer a ship 2) Meet the Titanic Polar Bear 3) build the Titanic ship
Dive to Titanic’s wreck site via spectacular underwater camera footage from the owner who put the second Titanic expedition together and produced the first Titanic TV special.

The Titanic Museum Attraction Grand Opening event begins on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. and continues with special events and celebrity guest appearances throughout the weekend. Tickets to the new Titanic Museum, which will open April 8, are now available online at www.TitanicPigeonForge.com. (Note: The outdoor Grand Opening and christening is free and open to the public, but admission to the Titanic Museum Attraction requires a ticket.)

Cedar Bay Entertainment is a privately owned entertainment and development company headquartered in Branson, Missouri, the original site of Cedar Bay’s first Titanic Museum Attraction. Since its April 2006 grand opening, it has welcomed more than 2,000,000 guests.

###
Editors: For more information about the Grand Opening or to arrange for a media visit, please contact Rick Laney at (865) 584-0550. High resolution photos of the new Titanic Museum Attraction are available upon request. www.titanicattraction.com

Late Monday Light Snow Causing Problems

The lingering snow showers that were in the forecast were forecast to accumulate little. That was indeed the case. But a little accumulation (1/10 to 1/2″) when falling upon cold roads with temperatures well below freezing, have caused numerous driving problems for Tennessee Valley drivers. The road conditions have caused cancellations and delays all across the Valley, and will slowly improve Tuesday.

After frigid mornings, the temperatures will rise slowly this week back into the 50s be the weekend, adding in a chance for RAIN (instead of snow) and more gray skies. But a small improvement is still an improvement.

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well. Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

The National Center for Environmental Prediction has
issued the following product regarding snow totals.
I simply wanted to pass them along to you on our
weather blog.  Please remember, there are still
numerous roads in Cullman, Marshall, and DeKalb
Counties that are dangerous to navigate due to
today’s snowfall. The slideshow below is from the
local snowfall in the Tennessee Valley sent in by
WAAY-31 Viewers.  THANKS FOR SHARING!



CULLMAN COUNTY
CENTER HILL....................2.0 INCHES
HANCEVILLE 3NE............1.5 INCHES
GOOD HOPE......................0.8 INCH
WEST POINT......................0.5 INCH

DEKALB COUNTY
COLLINSVILLE...................2.0 INCHES
CROSSVILLE......................2.0 INCHES
DE SOTO STATE PARK....2.0 INCHES
VALLEY HEAD....................2.0 INCHES
SYLVANIA............................1.0 INCH

JACKSON COUNTY
PISGAH................................2.0 INCHES

MARSHALL COUNTY
DOUGLAS...........................3.0 INCHES
ALBERTVILLE.....................2.7 INCHES
BOAZ.....................................2.0 INCHES
GUNTERSVILLE................1.5 INCHES

MORGAN COUNTY
MORGAN CITY.....................0.5 INCH



Click here for all of your local Pix and Flix



...GEORGIA...
LUMPKIN                               6.0
TALBOTTON                             4.0
HAMILTON 5 W                          3.5
VILLA RICA                            3.5
SENOIA 2 N                            3.0
DACULA                                2.5
CUTHBERT                              2.0
MACON                                 2.0
ROME                                  2.0
FORT GAINES                           1.0                     

...SOUTH CAROLINA...
COLUMBIA 4 ESE                        5.0
EVANS 1 SE                            5.0
BLYTHE                                4.0
COLUMBIA                              4.0
LEXINGTON 2 WNW                       4.0
SMOAKS                                4.0
BAMBERG                               3.0
BARNWELL                              3.0
CHAPIN                                3.0
CHARLESTON                            1.0                     

...SELECTED PEAK WIND GUSTS IN MILES PER HOUR EARLIER IN THE
EVENT...

...FLORIDA...
BISCAYNE PARK 5 S                       62
LONG KEY                                57
PERRINE                                 57
CUTLER RIDGE                            56
KENDALL                                 56
SOUTH MIAMI                             56                     

...SELECTED STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL IN INCHES WHERE THE EVENT HAS
ENDED...

...ALABAMA...
BELLEVILLE                            6.0
BRANTLEY                              5.0
EVERGREEN 5 N                         5.0
THOMASVILLE                           5.0
EUFAULA 4 S                           4.5
LOTTIE                                4.5
ARITON                                4.0
PINSON                                4.0
RAMER                                 4.0
TROY                                  4.0
WARD                                  4.0                     

...ARKANSAS...
FOREMAN                               4.0
TEXARKANA 1 N                         4.0
ASHDOWN                               3.0
MENA                                  3.0
AMITY 1 N                             2.5
VANDERVOORT                           2.5
DE QUEEN                              2.0
HAMPTON                               2.0
FORDYCE 6.6 NNW                       1.8                     

...LOUISIANA...
SHREVEPORT 9.1 SE                     6.1
NATCHITOCHES 0.9 NE                   6.0
SHONGALOO 5 N                         6.0
SICILY ISLAND 3.3 WNW                 6.0
GOLDONNA 8.8 SSW                      5.6
MONROE                                5.0
PLAIN DEALING 3.3 ESE                 5.0
HOMER 1.2 N                           3.7
WEST MONROE 6.1 WSW                   3.5                     

...MISSISSIPPI...
DE KALB                               8.0
CATAHOULA                             5.0
VICKSBURG                             5.0
BRANDON 1.9 NE                        4.6
MADISON 1.1 SW                        4.5
RAYVILLE                              4.2
BROOKHAVEN                            4.0
MCCALL CREEK 5 W                      4.0
FOREST                                3.5
PORT GIBSON 6 NW                      3.5                     

...OKLAHOMA...
HAWORTH 4 SW                          7.5
IDABEL 8 SE                           7.5
ADA 0.3 NNW                           5.6
RATTAN 13 E                           4.5
LOCO 0.9 SE                           4.3
CORINNE                               3.5
FORT TOWSON 1 W                       3.5
SULPHUR 2.5 WSW                       3.5
CANEY 7 W                             3.0
CAMDEN 1.8 NNW                        2.0                     

...TEXAS...
DUNCANVILLE 1.7 NNW                  14.9
HASLET                               14.2
FORT WORTH                           12.6
DALLAS                               12.5
MANSFIELD 2.6 NNE                    12.2
BRIDGEPORT                           12.0
ROYSE CITY                           12.0
SANGER 1.8 WSW                       12.0
MESQUITE 3.3 ESE                     11.4
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS 1.9 NE          11.3                     

...SELECTED STORM TOTAL FREEZING RAIN IN INCHES WHERE THE EVENT
HAS ENDED...

...ALABAMA...
IRONDALE                              0.30                     

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Each Has An Entirely Different Personality

A storm system moving across the Lone Star state Friday will be strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, developing a strong low pressure area which will be the center of large scale storm circulation. While the upper level winds will be controlling the track of that storm, a secondary area of lowering pressure will then move into the Mid-South, and could… COULD… throw this forecast into a bit of a spin. SO it is indeed becoming a MUCH more interesting forecast.

Unless a secondary low pressure area moves the first system off track, the core of heaviest snow will fall from between Montgomery and Birmingham to Columbus and Atlanta, then into the Carolinas. The northwestern extent of the accumulating snow will likely remain south of a Hamilton to Cullman to Fort Payne to Chattanooga line. If the secondary storm forms, that line could back into Decatur, Huntsville and Fayetteville. If the forecast is wrong, that is the direction of error.

Later in the weekend, another storm will drop toward the Tennessee Valley from the northwest, potentially starting off as a rain/freezing rain/sleet/snow mix, stopping, then restarting later as the same mix before converting to all light snow Sunday night and Monday. It is too far away to discuss any accumulation chances, at this point, any would be light.

COLD temps will remain for the next week.

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well. Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

A Little Snow Friday, A Little MORE Snow Sunday

No matter how much we talk of snow the next few days, it is just the ’shiney object’ to keep our focus off the COLD.  Morning lows will remain well below freezing through next week, and we’ll not see a speck of warm before then, unless you call 45 on Wednesday warm.  I don’t.

We have a slight chance for some light snow Friday night and Saturday morning, no accumulations, and a slight chance for some snow Sunday morning, then again Sunday night and Monday morning, with a chance for light accumulations.

Shiney objects, both.  It will remain cold.

Follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well.  Remain weather aware and check the 7-Day Forecast for details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Heaviest Snow of the Season So Far Not Forecastable

It figures.  There are times when it snows when we forecast it, and times when it doesn’t snow when we do.  Snow forecasts are the toughest to get correct in the TN Valley the majority of the time.  Last night, it looked like it might snow/sleet briefly in the Shoals in the morning, but no computer forecast model nor meteorologist thought a band of accumulating snow would occur in the swath where it did.  Most model data showed snow well to the north in NW-N. Central Tennessee.  Not in North Alabama.

SURPRISE.

Here is a link to the snow reports by the National Weather Service, and the images you have sent to MyWAAY at waaytv.com are here. Lots of things to do and see.

Rain will return this afternoon, and linger into Tuesday morning, with totals ranging from 3/4″ to 2″.  Most of the snow that fell will be washed away.  Now, there are MANY of you in Southern Madison, much of Lawrence, Marshall, DeKalb, and even Lincoln county who read this and ask… “Snow? Where”.  Almost all of the accumulating snow occurred north of US-72, and just over the Alabama/Tennessee border.  North and South of that area, it either sleeted and flurried briefly, or didn’t precipitate at all.

Bottom line takeaway: 1.) Never trust a television station that claims they are always right.  We all miss weather events in time, and this one was truly non-forecastable until just before it started.  And 2.) Never trust a television station that claims to save lives.  You save your own life when the weather is dangerous.  We just give our opinions and analysis, and hope over time you trust us.  Days like today don’t help.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31