Archive for the ‘Brad’ Category

Christmas Weekend Cool Down

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

A FEW Flurries Possible for First Time sine 1998

Wind, rain, some scattered wind damage and a few power outages started our long holiday weekend on Christmas Eve, giving Santa some challenging navigation to each and every rooftop in the Tennessee Valley.

20091224.SantaStorms

On Christmas Day, after the winds shift to the northwest, temperatures will start to fall from midnight highs near 53 to another freezing morning Saturday.

20091224.ColdXmasMorn

During Christmas Day, the temperatures will fall consistently through the day, with perhaps a FEW snow flurries in parts of the Tennessee Valley before all the moisture from the storm leaves the Valley.

20091224.ColdXmasEvng

Afternoon highs will stay in the mid-40s Saturday and Sunday and the low 40s Monday, while morning lows will fall into the middle 20s.  Another complex storm system will move toward the southeast on Tuesday with the potential for a touch of Winter weather in the South late Wednesday into Thursday morning.  We’ll be watching that storm carefully through the weekend, but for now it does not pose much a threat.

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Remain Weather Aware, check the 7-Day Forecast for Details, and follow us on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on facebook as well.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

My Thoughts on Climate Change

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

I Usually Don’t Take a Public Stance… But it is Time

In response to a friend’s honest question regarding who and what to believe in the discussion of climate change, I wrote to him these two original excerpts, taken from my Facebook.com wall.  I hope it helps spur thought in you as well. And before I present my recent thoughts, please recall that one of the most celebrated examples of a political ’settled science’ was by the Vatican, who would not hear the arguments by a growing number, but definitely a minority-number, of scientists who could not convince the Theocracy that the world was round, and not flat.  Later the Church had to apologize to Galileo… in 1992, after a 1633 condemnation of him based upon “settled science”.  If that Catholic Theocracy were to still be governing the world, we would only have known that the world was round for going on 17 years now.  And this is in NO way an insult to Catholicism nor any religion in general nor specific.

“Research those scientists who are doing actual climate research and measurements and compare them to the ones trying to use climate models to prove a point in the future. Since climate modeling is based upon sets of existing and historical data then extrapolated into the future through hypothesis to try to predict a system with more variables than we really understand, it is remarkably unreliable. Almost all the so-called conservative scientists are those who are continually disproving the climate modeling of those who have been attempting to predict the future by using real-time data showing the earth as a system has been cooling, showing that where the Northern Hemisphere may have experienced surface warming while the Southern Hemisphere has experienced surface cooling. While the Northern Ice Caps have lost ice mass, the southern has gained. So, a hypothesis should never be acted upon politically nor scientifically until it has been proven, and each and every one of the climate models predicting short-term warming have been being dismantled while those same scientists are pushing for political action on long-term models which are historically MUCH less accurate than short-term models.

WorldClimate

Virtually any source that is from the IPCC is biased toward warming.  The reason?  It is the InterGOVERNMENTAL Climate Commission, not a panel made of strictly scientists, but governmental agencies choosing handpicked data from certain scientists.  It was never meant to be a commission based upon science, but on governing.  Most of the ‘facts’ are from IPCC sources, which have discounted much actual data.  Now, are parts of the earth changing?  That remains inarguable.  For example, the ice melt in the Poles is not necessarily an atmospheric temperature increase as opposed to an oceanographic temperature increase.  With the amount of low density air that covers the globe, versus the amount of high density water that covers the globe, would you expect the low density mass to affect the temperature of the high density mass, or vice versa?  The warming OCEAN does not necessarily have a direct tie to the air, but would more likely be the other way around.  And an increase in man-made atmospheric gases would have little effect on the oceans.  There is only one major heat source that could heat an ocean.  That is STRICTLY the solar component of warming.  If we have influenced the climate by adding carbon dioxide, then the atmosphere would have to have increased its albedo, the amount of solar radiation reflected to space, and the ocean would have to cool, which has not been happening.  So that would help to explain any warming is directly tied to solar radiation, and not a man-made source of air so-called pollution, since I am not buying that increasing carbon dioxide is necessarily a pollutant.  The majority of the earths oxygen supply comes from the ocean, not land based organic matter.  An increase in carbon dioxide would be greatly absorbed by the ocean’s organic plant sources regardless of the increase.  So, a warming ocean would explain a change in coral, ice packs, and even atmospheric temperature change, not the other way around.  I think I have just written a blog post for my station’s weather blog.”

I went on in another response to the links to two articles drawing CONCLUSIONS from IPCC-type data sets.

“The source material for each is the same database, each based upon extrapolated data based upon long-range atmospheric modeling. How often do you look at a 7-Day forecast and think, well, past day X, I know this will probably change fairly dramatically. What makes anyone of scientific intelligence to extrapolate an atmospheric model to day X PLUS 100 years, and actually believe a +2-degree Celsius conclusion. It could as easily have been -2 degrees Celsius. They could have been +2000 C/-2000C. The final governmental conclusions are being based upon an entire set of flawed processes. I will not even argue the accuracy of long-range atmospheric/system computer modeling because we are centuries away from scratching its surface based upon our inability to predict short-term atmospheric modeling.”

Please feel free to pass this along and enter it into the discussion.  There will be disagreement, but there will also be agreement.  Much tweaking is required.  I am not a researcher, but one of many research analyzers with no political gain expected, nor financial gain expected.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31, WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL

Status Quo Pattern Equals… Status Quo

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Until the Upper Winds Change, Nothing Else Will

Daily showers and thunderstorms have been developing each afternoon for days and will continue to for days to come.  The question remains… WHY?  The answer lies in the upper level wind flow that is responsible for pushing around our surface storm systems.  In the Plains, the second of TWO upper level ‘eddies’ have formed to ouw west, putting a center of unsettled energy to our west, placing us in the path of weak waves that ’spoke off’ the main ‘wheel’ to our west.

Satellite Image of Storm Pattern Wednesday Afternoon

The impossibile part of this forecast is in determining exactly where these spokes of rain and thunderstorms will develop on a day to day basis.  This has kept a ‘low-grade chance of showers and thunderstorms’ in the forecast each day for the past several.

Wednesday Afternoon Radar Storm Pattern

What is about to happen is a major change in the upper level wind flow pattern that controls the weather patterns across the United States.  What this will produce is a strong cold front which will move all the way across the country, affecting each of the lower 48 in the next week.  One week from today, the high temperatures will fall 10 to 15 degrees.  Unfortunately, there is a chance for strong to severe thunderstorms to precede that front on Tuesday.

Stay Tuned to WAAY-31 for details, or log in to http://www.waaytv.com for forecasts and weather videos 24 hours a day.  You can also follow us on http://twitter.com @ stormforce31, or on http://facebook.com.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Little Sunshine = A Hot Day

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Heat Indices Climb Into the 90s!

As the upper level storm system spins in the Plains and Mid-South, we have been seeing tons of clouds intermittent with scattered areas of sunshine.  When this sun has shone through, we’ve quickly discovered how warm it can be quickly with increasing clouds.  In Huntsville, the high temperature was 86 degrees, but the heat index climbed to 92!

Huntsville's Almanac Numbers

In the Shoals, with an afternoon high at 85, the heat index was 90.

Muscle Shoals Almanac Data

With the high humidities, the warm temperatures felt even warmer with the heat index values climbing to the low-90s.  THis same type of weather will continue through the end of the week when, hopefully, a weak cool front will cool us down a LITTLE into the weekend.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Backyard Water Garden HUMMING Along

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Hummingbirds Love Their Feeder

On WAAY-31 News at 6pm Monday, we showed some video from Rachel Keith, one of our talented photojournalist reporters.  She set her camera up near the WAAY-31 Backyard Water Garden, and taped footage of the Hummingbirds enjoying their feeder.

Following my showing her video on the 6pm news, I received an email from Sandy Pierce from Fyffe, who shared her images of hummingbirds in her yard.  So I wanted to share those with you as well.

Thank you Sandy for sharing.  If you ever have any images you want to share, please send them along to weather@waaytv.com.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Labor Day Weekend 2009

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Increasing Chances for Afternoon T-showers

Now that the Labor Day Weekend is here, you can look forward to warm afternoons, perfect for the water or outdoor events, and for increasing chances for showers and thunderstorms SAT, SUN, and MON.  Though the threat is the highest each afternoon, where they do form they could be potentially locally heavy with downpours and lightning.

Labor Day Weekend Forecast 2009

Next week we’ll still see temperatures in the 85 to 88 range, slight chances for afternoon showers and t-storms as we await the next cool front which should arrive next weekend.

And now for the kick-off forecasts for the state colleges of most local interest.

Kick-Off Forecasts, Week 1

Have a Happy and SAFE Labor Day Weekend!

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Basic Late Summery Valley Weather

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Chances for Hit and Miss Showers Increase This Weekend

We are in a pattern of slowly warning temperatures, slowly increasing or nearly steady humidities, and increasing chances for a few scattered showers and t-showers this weekend as a slow moving storm system makes its way out of the Plains this weekend.  There is simply very little to discuss in depth in this part of the country with a very slowly evolving weather pattern.

Tropical Depression Erika Weakening

Tropical Storm Erika weakened today into a Tropical Depression, forecast to remain a tropical depression (as of NOW) and another tropical wave off the coast of Africa is being forecast by computer models to be a rapid developer once it moves well into the Atlantic Ocean.  Worth watching for Tropical interests, but not necessarily a threat to the Tennessee Valley as of now.

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

August Cooling It Off…

Monday, August 31st, 2009

… September Heating It Back Up

August did end with high tempreatures near average highs, and unexpectedly so.  The forecast was for 82, and the high was 86.  Tuesday’s forecast is for 83, as is Wednesday’s.  If this weather pattern is to comtinue, it may well end up warmer than those forecast numbers, since forecast TRENDS should be weighted higher than what computer models frequently try to forecast.

Model Based Forecasting

So because of THIS very discussion I am raising the forecast highs above what numbers I have suggested above.

Numbers Changed Based Upon TODAY's Reality of the Weather Situation 

The numbers in your mirror ARE larger than they appear.  But don’t you LOVE the warm weather accompanied by the low humidities.

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Enough TALK! The Change is HERE!

Friday, August 28th, 2009

Saturday Brings Rain and Change, Sunday, Cool

As a couple upper level storms move across the Tennessee Valley, we’ll see a few waves of shower and thundershower chances across the area on Saturday, as a cool front passes across very slowly.  The rain chances will end in the Shoals by early afternoon Saturday, Southern Middle Tennessee by mid-afternoon, but lingering in the mountains of Northeast Alabama into the evening, then returning Sunday as another upper level wave slips overhead, delivering the wind flow pattern that will deliver the coolest air of this weather pattern.

Late Saturday Afternoon

Sunday will see sunny skies and nice weather in the Shoals, most of North Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee, while parts of Northeast Alabama will languish in a few low clouds and some light rain.

Sunday Midday 

By Monday, ALL of us will see morning lows in the low to middle 50s and will stay in the 70s during the afternoon.

Some VERY pleasant weather coming our way for most of the week next week!

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Week Ends with a Great Weekend

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Surface Storms Plus Upper Level ‘Waves’ Equal Scattered Showers

While it is becoming less and less possible to specifically forecast the timing of showers and storms until the cool front passes across the Tennessee Valley, there will be showers and storms timed out along with surface features left over from previous outflow boundaries.  When moisture laden air is pushed upward by these existing boundaries or slightly cooler air passes above the warm air, then the warm air rises, produces clouds, and eventually showers and t-storms.  And THIS, in a nutshell, is what makes forecasting the timing of specific areas of showers and t-storms virtually impossible.

An Example of Modeling Forecast for Friday

THEREFORE (as a preacher said several years ago, in the Bible, when you see the word ‘THEREFORE’, find out what it is ‘there for’…) there remain chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms at times mostly during the heat of the day, but, please remember that the timing of these storms will remain suspect until the cool front clears the Tennessee Valley, putting us in drier and cooler air for several days.

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

What August Forecasters REALLY Think

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Warm w/ Storms Thru Saturday, Then Cooler

Doesn’t that about say it all?

I COULD go into deep explanations about how this and that will combine to make for higher humidities and diminishing air qualities through Saturday, and how this and that will combine to make for increasing chances for daily thunderstorms and showers every afternoon, but I don’t always want my doctor to explain to me why Nexium stops my GERDS or my lawn mower maker the science of mixing air and fuel to make an especially dangerous blade whir at such a speed as to cut then pulverise organic matter.  I just take the pill and pull the cord.

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Another Tropical Storm Passes By

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Danny to Rake the East Coast

Another tropical storm is making its way toward the Eastern Seaboard this week as Tropical Storm Danny forms in the western Atlantic.  This storm will raise the danger level of waves and rip currents along eastern beaches this final non-holiday weekend of the summer, and all who are traveling to the East Coast need to remain aware of the danger spread shoreward by the increases surf and wave action.

NHC Track of Danny as of 5pm WED

The western track of the National Hurricane Center forecast places this storm either on or very near the Mid-Atlantic coast late this week and keeps the surf at dangerous levels through the weekend.  As far as the weather in the Tennessee Valley is concerned, the cyclonic wind flow around the Tropical Storm will help to pull a cool front across the area this weekend, helping to assure a very pleasant end to August 2009.

 Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Shuttle’s Night-Time Launch

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Scheduled for 12:10am, Central Daylight Time

STS 128

As is POSSIBLE, the link below gives a map where the shuttle is viewable from the Southeastern part of the United States.   If the shuttle launches on time, the map gives the part of the sky toward which to look to see the shuttle rocketing into orbit.

On this space shuttle will be the Materials Science Research Rack.  A rack of instruments and equipment developed at Marshall Space Flight Center, that will be delivered to the International Space Station.

Materials Science Research Rack 

Please take a few minutes to read about what our friends and neighbors are working on to advance the world’s understanding of science.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

High Temperatures Start Rising

Monday, August 24th, 2009

But the Humidities Will Lag Behind

So, last week, why WAS it so terribly humid so suddenly?  Three words… Tropical Strom Claudette.  Once that storm moved ashore and into the Tennessee Valley, underneath an upper level wind flow pattern that was very stagnant, the humidity just SAT and SAT right on top of us.

This week, the weather pattern is a bit more ‘progressive’, meaning as the humidities rise  much slower than the temperatures.  As the afternoon highs climb back into the upper 80s to near 90, it will feel uncomfortable, but the dew points will not be rising into the MIDDLE 70s, where they were at times last week.

NHC's 30 to 50% Threat of Development Map

The tropics, after showing a quick explosion in activity, are back down to the recent quiet pattern, with one tropical wave heading toward the windward islands moving toward the Virgin Islands as a potentially developing tropical system, that is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

As August comes to an end (climinating with my birthday in one week, hint hint) there is a possibility of having an active tropical system threatening the Gulf of Mexico.  We’ll keep an eye on it.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Humiserable Humuggity Before Relief

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Friday’s Cool Front Brings In a GREAT Weekend

As the moisture and instability from Tropical Storm Claudette have lingered in the Southeast, and as the moisture from once Tropical Storm Ana covers much of the Southeast, and as the VERY MUGGY air from the VERY WARM Gulf of Mexico all FINALLY GET PUSHED OUT OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY be a Friday Cool Front, the weather will be gorgeous!

More Scattered T-storms in the Humid Air!

However, until that time, we have a chance for showers and thundershowers at almost any hour of the day and night, with higher chances in the afternoons and early evenings.

Sct. T-storms Poaaible Friday Early Morning

But once the front passes through, the temperatures behind the front will be comfortable because the humidity will drop to levels not seen since the cool-down of July.

Beautiful Weekend Weather!!! 

 And since the hours of sunlight are getting fewer and fewer each day, any length of time we can feel lower humidities and cooler temperatures, the lesser the chances of seeing another string of hot and muggy weather.  Only then can we start to look forward to the arrival of Fall.

Check the 7-Day forecast for details and follow Storm Force31 on Twitter @ stormforce31, and on Facebook, Storm Force 31.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31