Way Cool From The ISS

This Photo comes from NASA as it was shot from the ISS looking at a thunderstorm over Africa.

More Storms Possible On Saturday Night.

Guidance is actually suggesting the most organized round of storms could come tomorrow night, but trying to identify specific impulses this time of the year is hard to do in advance. Highs over the weekend will be in the 87 to 90 degree range, and there should be some decent intervals of sunshine both days. And also this July has been real cool for Alabama standards for July. The temperature failed to reach 90 degrees on 16 days during the month of July, which is pretty remarkable for Alabama in mid-summer. The hottest temperature recorded during the month of 94 degrees, which was measured on July 1, 4, and 12. The lowest temperature all month was a cool 59 degrees on July 20.

Preliminary Tornado Reports

Above is the base reflectivity and the storm relitive velocity radar from the Memphis tornado. There was multiple tornadoes reported in and around the Memphis area and near Olive Branch Mississippi. Some of the NWS findings are.
0451 PM TORNADO 5 SW LAKELAND 35.19N 89.79W
07/30/2009 F0 SHELBY TN NWS STORM SURVEY

TORNADO CONFIRMED. PRELIMINARY PATH 250 YDS WIDE AND 5
MILES LONG. ESTIMATED WINDS OF 80 TO 90 MPH. DAMAGE TO
CAR DEALERSHIP AND RESTAURANT

0500 PM TORNADO 4 SE OLIVE BRANCH 34.91N 89.78W
07/30/2009 F1 DESOTO MS NWS STORM SURVEY

TORNADO DAMAGE NEAR BETHAL ROAD AND US 78. DAMAGE TO
NUMEROUS HOMES. PRELIMINARY WIDTH 300 YARDS AND WIDTH 4
MILES. PRELIMINARY RATING OF AN EF-1 WITH WINDS ESTIMATE
AT 105 MPH

0507 PM TORNADO 10 NW CLARKSDALE 34.30N 90.70W
07/30/2009 COAHOMA MS EMERGENCY MNGR

TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN INSIDE MISSISSIPPI RIVER LEVEE WEST
OF FARREL. HUNTING CABINS DAMAGED.

The NWS survey teams will be back out on Friday to complete more surveys. I will pass those along when they are available.

Memphis Area Tornado Damage

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - Strong winds and heavy rain have pounded Memphis, leaving an estimated 11,000 customers without electricity. No serious injuries were immediately reported.

A department store, car dealership and restaurant were heavily damaged late Thursday afternoon as up to an inch of rain fell. The National Weather Service says there was an unconfirmed report of a tornado by a member of the public.

Specific damage reports:

A Kohls store in Cordova has suffered heavy damage.
Damage at Toyota Dealership near Wolfchase
A tractor-trailer hit by lighting near I-240 and Norris Road
A tree down at Lafayette and Poplar
Trees and power lines down at Walnut Grove and Eastview
A car crushed by a tree at East High School
Minor flooding near Memphis City Hall
Damage to vehicles in Germantown and Cordova
Multiple car accidents throughout the metro area
click the title for a video from wmc-tv news reporter Nick Kenney (formerly from WAFF reporter)

Memphis Tornado

Here is a photo of the tornado in the memphis area today. photo courtesy Abc3340 blog

HPC Still Showing Lots of Rain Headed This Way

With the flash flood watch in place for most of us here in North Alabama the HPC is showing 3 plus inches of rain over the next 2 days.Do not drive over flooded roads "TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN"

Flash Flood Watch in Effect Thru the Weekend

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
348 AM CDT THU JUL 30 2009

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-301700-
/O.NEW.KHUN.FF.A.0006.090731T0200Z-090731T1800Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-
MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FLORENCE...MUSCLE SHOALS...
RUSSELLVILLE...MOULTON...ATHENS...HUNTSVILLE...DECATUR...
GUNTERSVILLE...SCOTTSBORO...FORT PAYNE...CULLMAN...LYNCHBURG...
FAYETTEVILLE...WINCHESTER
348 AM CDT THU JUL 30 2009

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE
TENNESSEE...INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN ALABAMA...
COLBERT...CULLMAN...DEKALB...FRANKLIN AL...JACKSON...
LAUDERDALE...LAWRENCE...LIMESTONE...MADISON...MARSHALL AND
MORGAN. IN SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE...FRANKLIN TN...LINCOLN
AND MOORE.

* FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL
SYSTEM MOVES ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY TONIGHT AND FRIDAY AMIDST
A VERY MOIST TROPICAL AIR MASS. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF
PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES WILL
BE POSSIBLE IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. LOCALLY HIGHER STORM
AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Lull in the Action Today.

Well the sun is shining here this morning at 10:52 and it most likely will a good bit of the day. There is a 50% chance of rain today and tomorrow with the heavier rain coming in Thursday night into all day Friday with an 80% chance then. The SPC does not have Alabama in a risk area today (yet) but this is the south and our weather can change in the blink of an eye. If you go out today keep the umbrella handy and in the case of heavy rainfall and flooded roads remember "TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN".

Interesting Day For Weather

Well as of 9:20 central time tonight there has been 120 total severe reports with one confirmed tornado in Tennessee. and the storms nation wide have been very electrical as well.

Note: All data are considered preliminary
Tornado Reports (in CSV format)
Time Location County State Lat Lon Comments
2230 7 E MCMINNVILLE WARREN TN 3569 8565 PUBLIC REPORTS A TORNADO DESTROYED A BARN AND DAMAGED A GRAIN SILO IN EASTERN WARREN COUNTY BETWEEN 530PM AND 545 PM. (OHX)
Hail Reports (in CSV format)
Time Size Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1851 100 WEED OTERO NM 3280 10552 NICKEL SIZED HAIL...WITH QUARTER-SIZED MIXED IN NEAR THE WEED CAFE. (EPZ)
1945 175 1 SE SEWARD STAFFORD KS 3817 9878 (DDC)
2005 150 3 NNE SPRINGFIELD SANGAMON IL 3982 8962 OVAL-SHAPED HAIL. (ILX)
2010 100 2 E RYE PUEBLO CO 3792 10489 (PUB)
2025 100 9 S ST. JOHN STAFFORD KS 3787 9873 (DDC)
2037 88 WSW HESSTON HARVEY KS 3814 9744 WIND GUSTS OF 50 MPH AND 1.36 INCHES OF RAIN IN 20 MINUTES (ICT)
2050 175 1 S PRESTON PRATT KS 3774 9856 (DDC)
2105 175 6 NNW SEGUNDO LAS ANIMAS CO 3720 10481 HAILED FROM 305 PM TO 323 PM. STILL HAILING. (PUB)
2106 75 BOISE CITY CIMARRON OK 3673 10251 (AMA)
2109 100 CUNNINGHAM KINGMAN KS 3764 9843 (ICT)
2116 100 2 NW PIKES PEAK TELLER CO 3887 10507 (PUB)
2125 100 15 NW BOISE CITY CIMARRON OK 3688 10270 (AMA)
2140 150 HARPER HARPER KS 3729 9803 WIND GUSTS 40-45 MPH (ICT)
2145 175 1 W BONCARBO LAS ANIMAS CO 3722 10472 HAILED FROM 310 PM TO 345 PM. (PUB)
2155 175 4 WSW HOEHNE LAS ANIMAS CO 3726 10444 HAIL ENDED 420 PM... (PUB)
2210 75 5 S YORK YORK SC 3492 8124 (GSP)
2210 150 3 N BRAMAN KAY OK 3697 9733 (OUN)
2212 88 KEYES CIMARRON OK 3681 10225 (AMA)
2215 100 MAYHILL OTERO NM 3289 10548 QUARTER AND NICKEL SIZED HAIL NEAR JUNCTION OF US 82 AND NM HIGHWAY 130. MOSTLY NICKELS WITH QUARTERS MIXED IN. (EPZ)
2220 150 17 S MEADE MEADE KS 3704 10034 (DDC)
2230 75 GIBSON CITY FORD IL 4047 8838 (LOT)
2235 100 4 WSW COOLIN BONNER ID 4846 11693 (OTX)
2240 175 7 NNE HONDO LINCOLN NM 3347 10521 (ABQ)
2244 88 6 WSW ARKANSAS CITY COWLEY KS 3704 9714 (ICT)
2247 100 4 N LAKE HEFNER OKLAHOMA OK 3564 9761 (OUN)
2302 175 4 SW FORT WASHAKIE FREMONT WY 4297 10898 FORT WASHAKIE POLICE REPORTED GOLF BALL SIZED HAIL ON TROUT CREEK ROAD (RIW)
2305 100 KILDARE KAY OK 3681 9705 (OUN)
2314 100 LAMONT GRANT OK 3669 9756 (OUN)
2320 100 PONCA CITY KAY OK 3671 9709 (OUN)
2332 75 CHESTER PLUMAS CA 4030 12123 A CO-OP OBSEREVER ESTIMATED THE SIZE AS DIME TO PENNY, GENERALLY ABOUT 0.75 INCHES. (STO)
2333 100 5 S DUMAS MOORE TX 3579 10197 HAIL WAS ONGOING ALONG HIGHWAY 287. (AMA)
2337 88 10 WNW KIM LAS ANIMAS CO 3732 10352 (PUB)
2338 88 2 ENE RDU INTERNATIONAL WAKE NC 3588 7874 TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED NICKEL SIZE HAIL AT CORNER OF GLENWOOD AVE. AND EBENEZER CHURCH RD. (RAH)
2344 100 1 SE TEDROW FULTON OH 4159 8419 (IWX)
2347 88 13 N AMARILLO POTTER TX 3539 10182 (AMA)
2350 100 10 S LANDER FREMONT WY 4269 10873 HAIL RANGING FROM PEA TO QUARTER SIZE WAS REPORTED NEAR RED CANYON. (RIW)
2353 125 4 NE PINE SPRINGS CULBERSON TX 3193 10476 HALF DOLLAR SIZE HAIL MEASURED 4 MILES NE OF PINE SPRINGS. (MAF)
2355 75 3 W KIM LAS ANIMAS CO 3725 10341 (PUB)
0000 100 13 SSE LANDER FREMONT WY 4266 10863 DIME TO QUARTER SIZED HAIL FELL AT A RANCH NEAR RED CANYON BETWEEN 545 AND 600 PM. (RIW)
0020 75 JONESVILLE UNION SC 3484 8168 REPORT RELAYED BY WSPA TV 7. (GSP)
0025 88 7 E AMARILLO POTTER TX 3520 10169 BROADCAST MEDIA RELAYED REPORT OF NICKEL SIZE HAIL COVERING THE GROUND WITH A WINDOW BUSTED NEAR PULLMAN ROAD. (AMA)
0031 100 STILLWATER PAYNE OK 3612 9706 NORTH SIDE OF TOWN (OUN)
0035 175 5 NNW CISCO EASTLAND TX 3245 9901 NORTH OF LAKE CISCO NEAR FM 1853 AND HWY 6 (FWD)
0037 275 1 SSW PRITCHETT BACA CO 3735 10287 (PUB)
0039 175 LAKE TANGLEWOOD RANDALL TX 3506 10178 BROADCAST MEDIA RELAYED REPORT OF GOLF BALL SIZE HAIL THAT BROKE WINDOWS ON A HOUSE. (AMA)
0055 75 TROUTMAN IREDELL NC 3570 8089 (GSP)
0104 175 PALO DURO CANYON RANDALL TX 3495 10167 SEVERE HAIL LASTED UNTIL 824 PM (AMA)
0110 100 5 NW WAYSIDE ARMSTRONG TX 3484 10161 (AMA)
0110 88 CUSHING PAYNE OK 3598 9677 (OUN)
0113 100 5 S SPRINGFIELD BACA CO 3733 10262 (PUB)
0117 100 6 W BRECKENRIDGE STEPHENS TX 3276 9902 ALONG COUNTY ROAD 215...1 MILE SOUTH OF HWY 180 (FWD)
0129 100 15 SW YESO DE BACA NM 3429 10479 (ABQ)
0139 88 3 W BRECKENRIDGE STEPHENS TX 3276 9896 3 MILES WEST OF BRECKENRIDGE ALONG HWY 180 (FWD)
Wind Reports (in CSV format)
Time Speed Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1216 UNK 6 NW PLAIN DEALING BOSSIER LA 3297 9377 SHERIFFS OFFICE REPORTS SEVERAL TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN IN THE AREA. (SHV)
1240 UNK 2 W PLAIN DEALING BOSSIER LA 3291 9373 SHERIFFS OFFICE REPORTS ONE TREE AND LINE DOWN NEAR EAST COLLEGE. (SHV)
1240 UNK 4 SE SPRINGHILL WEBSTER LA 3296 9342 TREES BLOCKING NICKERSON ROAD NEAR CULLEN. (SHV)
1920 UNK ANDOVER SUSSEX NJ 4098 7474 TREES AND WIRES DOWN. APARTMENT BUILDING ROOF DAMAGED. (PHI)
1945 UNK OGDENSBURG SUSSEX NJ 4108 7460 TREE DOWN ON HOUSE. (PHI)
2010 62 RATON CREWS AIRPORT COLFAX NM 3673 10450 (ABQ)
2014 UNK WAKARUSA ELKHART IN 4154 8602 TREE DOWN IN WAKARUSA (IWX)
2024 UNK 4 ESE AUBURN LEE AL 3257 8542 A FEW TREES DOWN ON COUNTY ROAD 146. WINDS ESTIMATED AT 50 MPH. (BMX)
2025 UNK FLORISSANT ST. LOUIS MO 3880 9032 SMALL TREE BRANCHES DOWN NEAR SHACKELFORD RD AND WIETHAUPT R (LSX)
2030 UNK 8 NNW BISHOPVILLE LEE SC 3433 8029 FOUNTAINS GROCERY REPORTED TREES DOWN ALONG HWY 341 (CAE)
2040 60 1 W CLYDE DARLINGTON SC 3438 8020 (ILM)
2040 UNK 4 NE PENDERLEA PENDER NC 3471 7800 ONE LARGE TREE DOWN BLOCKING OLD MILL RD. (ILM)
2042 UNK 1 W SELMA DALLAS AL 3242 8704 TREE DOWN ON POWERLINES ON CRESCENT HILL ROAD. WIND ESTIMATED AT 45 MPH. (BMX)
2044 UNK GOSHEN ELKHART IN 4158 8583 TREE DOWN IN GOSHEN (IWX)
2045 UNK BLUFF SAN JUAN UT 3728 10957 LARGE BRANCHES AND A FEW OLDER TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN. OBSERVER ESTIMATED 60-75 MPH WINDS LASTING 30 MINUTES. (GJT)
2100 UNK 1 E CALIFORNIA MONITEAU MO 3863 9255 PUBLIC REPORTED 5 TREES DOWN ON THEIR PROPERTY...TOPS SNAPPED OFF RANGING FROM 15 TO 25 INCHES IN DIAMETER...ALSO HAVE SIDING BLOWN OFF OF THE SIDE OF THEIR HOME (LSX)
2105 68 7 NW MEXICAN HAT SAN JUAN UT 3720 11000 MEASURED IN THE VALLEY OF THE GODS AREA. (GJT)
2115 UNK 1 SE CALIFORNIA MONITEAU MO 3862 9255 TOP SNAPPED OFF OF TREE...DAMAGED PORTION IS 12 INCHES IN DIAMETER (LSX)
2115 UNK CLINTON DE WITT IL 4015 8896 A TWO FOOT DIAMETER TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN ACROSS A ROAD. ANOTHER TREE WAS BLOWN DOWN ONTO POWER LINES. (ILX)
2130 UNK 1 NW SOUTHERN PINES MOORE NC 3520 7942 SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY. (RAH)
2130 UNK EAST BRUNSWICK MIDDLESEX NJ 4043 7442 TREES AND WIRES DOWN. (PHI)
2140 UNK 4 SE MERIDIAN LAUDERDALE MS 3234 8866 TREES DOWN ALONG FISHER ROAD AND ZERO ROAD IN THE COMMUNITY OF ZERO. (JAN)
2150 64 3 ESE HOEHNE LAS ANIMAS CO 3726 10434 (PUB)
2154 UNK LAUDERDALE LAUDERDALE MS 3252 8851 MULTIPLE TREES DOWN IN LAUDERDALE COMMUNITY. (JAN)
2200 60 6 S HAYSVILLE SEDGWICK KS 3748 9737 (ICT)
2210 UNK 5 S YORK YORK SC 3492 8124 MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ON HWY 321 AND SANDIFUR ROAD. (GSP)
2215 UNK 7 NNW COOLIN BONNER ID 4857 11692 4 TO 5 100 FOOT TREES DOWNED AND DIME SIZE HAIL. (OTX)
2230 UNK 6 NW COOLIN BONNER ID 4854 11694 PRIEST LAKE RANGER STATION REPORTED NUMEROUS TREES DOWN ALONG ID57. PEA TO NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND DEBRIS. IN ADDITION...THERE WAS A LOSS POWER ACROSS THE AREA. LASTED 15- (OTX)
2250 58 4 SSE BLACKWELL KAY OK 3675 9725 (OUN)
2251 60 1 E GEUDA SPRINGS COWLEY KS 3711 9713 (ICT)
2300 UNK NINETY SIX GREENWOOD SC 3417 8202 TREES DOWN. (GSP)
2301 60 2 S EVA TEXAS OK 3677 10190 (AMA)
2310 72 PONCA CITY KAY OK 3671 9709 AT HWY 177 AND 60. RELAYED TO EM FROM SPOTTER (OUN)
2315 UNK CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG NC 3520 8083 MANY TREES DOWN ACROSS THE CITY. WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES. (GSP)
2315 UNK 5 SE CARTHAGE MOORE NC 3530 7936 TREE DOWN ON FARM LIFE SCHOOL RD. (RAH)
2315 UNK 1 N CARY WAKE NC 3580 7880 2 FOOT DIA TREE DOWN NEAR INTERSECTION OF CHAPEL HILL RD AND WEST MAYNARD RD IN CARY. ESTIMATED WIND GUST OF 70 MPH. (RAH)
2315 UNK W NEWPORT PEND OREILLE WA 4818 11706 REPORTS OF TREES DOWN ACROSS VARIOUS PORTIONS OF THE TOWN. (OTX)
2325 UNK 1 ESE SEMINOLE HARNETT NC 3546 7899 TREE DOWN ON POWER LINE AT 6100 BLOCK OF COOL SPRINGS RD. (RAH)
2330 70 FOUR WAY MOORE TX 3569 10196 (AMA)
2330 60 BILLINGS NOBLE OK 3653 9744 (OUN)
2347 UNK 1 S OTTOKEE FULTON OH 4159 8413 PENNY SIZE HAIL WITH 3 TO 4 TREES DOWN ALONG THE OHIO TURNPIKE NORTH OF WAUSEON (IWX)
2348 UNK 5 N FAYETTEVILLE CUMBERLAND NC 3514 7890 TREE DOWN ON HOUSE ON DEER PATH DR NEAR SHORELINE DR IN FAYETTEVILLE. (RAH)
2356 68 2 W GUYMON TEXAS OK 3669 10151 (AMA)
2359 60 6 N AMARILLO POTTER TX 3529 10182 (AMA)
0000 UNK CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG NC 3520 8083 MULTIPLE TREES DOWN ON THE EAST SIDE OF CHARLOTTE. TREE SPLITTING HOUSE.MANY POWER LINES DOWN. (GSP)
0014 UNK AMARILLO POTTER TX 3520 10182 BELL HELICOPTER GUARD SHACK DAMAGED (AMA)
0014 67 6 ENE AMARILLO POTTER TX 3522 10172 (AMA)
0015 UNK 6 WSW GODWIN CUMBERLAND NC 3520 7878 TREE DOWN ON LUCINDA LN NEAR LANE RD. (RAH)
0017 65 GUYMON TEXAS OK 3669 10148 (AMA)
0018 58 3 NW STILLWATER PAYNE OK 3615 9710 (OUN)
0030 UNK 4 NE ROLESVILLE FRANKLIN NC 3597 7840 TREES DOWN AT HIGHWAYS NC 98W AND US 401. (RAH)
0040 70 3 E STILLWATER PAYNE OK 3612 9700 (OUN)
0040 70 5 W PAWNEE PAWNEE OK 3634 9689 (TSA)
0041 UNK AMARILLO POTTER TX 3520 10182 AMARILLO EOC REPORTED A TRACTOR TRAILER TURNED OVER DUE TO WINDS ALONG INTERSTATE 40 AND EASTERN STREET. (AMA)
0044 70 12 E CANYON RANDALL TX 3498 10171 (AMA)
0055 UNK ELKMONT LIMESTONE AL 3493 8698 TREES AND POWERLINES DOWN IN THE ELKMONT AREA (HUN)
0056 75 CUSHING PAYNE OK 3598 9677 (OUN)
0059 70 8 E STILLWATER PAYNE OK 3612 9691 (OUN)
0104 70 PALO DURO CANYON RANDALL TX 3495 10167 SEVERE WIND LASTED UNTIL 820 PM (AMA)
0105 UNK 8 SE YESO DE BACA NM 3435 10453 THREE TO FOUR INCH DIAMETER TREE BRANCHES BLOWN DOWN. (ABQ)
0110 65 5 NW WAYSIDE ARMSTRONG TX 3484 10161 (AMA)
0116 UNK ESE DRUMRIGHT CREEK OK 3599 9660 SMALL TREE LIMBS DOWN ESE OF DRUMRIGHT (TSA)
0126 60 N BRISTOW CREEK OK 3583 9639 (TSA)
0129 61 GROOM CARSON TX 3520 10111 (AMA)
0138 60 4 WNW VIGO PARK SWISHER TX 3467 10156 (LUB)
0151 60 ALANREED GRAY TX 3521 10073 (AMA)

Slight Risk For North And Parts Of Central Alabama Today

Well the SPC has placed most of north and central Alabama under a slight risk for severe weather today. THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL ALABAMA AND PORTIONS
OF SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT...

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA TODAY...
ESPECIALLY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. ISOLATED INSTANCES OF FLASH
FLOODING ARE POSSIBLE...BUT A WIDESPREAD FLOOD THREAT IS NOT
ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.

EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TODAY...WITH GUSTY WINDS
POSSIBLE IN ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

AN UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF
THE WEEK...AND POTENTIALLY THROUGH THE WEEKEND. DEEP TROPICAL
MOISTURE WILL REMAIN ANCHORED ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY...AND
COMBINE WITH WEAK DISTURBANCES ALOFT TO CREATE ADDITIONAL ROUNDS OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

GIVEN THE ABUNDANT MOISTURE IN PLACE...THERE WILL BE A THREAT FOR
FLASH FLOODING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD...ESPECIALLY THURSDAY INTO
FRIDAY. ALTHOUGH UNUSUAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR...A MORE
GENERAL/WIDESPREAD FLOODING THREAT MAY ALSO TAKE SHAPE LATER IN THE
PERIOD...IF THERE ARE SEVERAL ROUNDS OF HEAVY RAINFALL.

ADDITIONALLY...A FEW STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY
WINDS CANNOT BE RULED OUT...PARTICULARLY ON WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IS
NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME

The Rain Is A Coming.

A persistent broad upper trough will allow a frontal boundary to move very slowly or remain nearly stationary across the Tennessee Valley during much of the last week of July. A deep fetch of tropical moisture will continue to flow into the region ahead of the front, while repeated upper level disturbances help to initiate shower and thunderstorm development in the moist, unstable air just ahead of and along the front. The result will be periods of rainy and stormy weather for the Tennessee Valley for the week. Although periods of dry weather will be interspersed through the week, resulting rainfall totals may exceed several inches in some locations.This could result in localized flash flooding in urban or low-lying areas. The graphic above from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center shows forecast 5-day rainfall amounts for the U.S.

Wet, Wet, Week

The HPC (the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center) are forecasting 5 to 7 inches of rain across North Alabama through Friday night. I sure hope we do not get that much, but there is a chance of rain every day this week as a moist air mass sets up across the state, and a mean upper trough continues over the eastern U.S. with a series of short waves passing through the flow.

With the chances of any organized severe weather staying out west here in Alabama we cannot rule out a renegade strong storm or 2 this week.( but thats just typical Alabama weather).

For those of you who missed the Vortex 2 projects tornado intercept click the title for the video of that Goshen County Wyoming tornado.

Slight Risk For North And Parts Of Central Alabama On Sunday

Thye SPC ha sonce again placed most of north and central Alabama under a slight risk of severe weather today. Although there is not even 1% chance of a tornado there could still be hail, winds, and heavy rain. Looks like it is going to be a wet week with at least a 30-40% chance everyday ( don't see that much in summer without a hurricane)

Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower

Every year in late July a quiet meteor shower rains down on Earth. Producing approximately a meteor every five minutes at its peak, the Southern Delta Aquarid shower is a bit of a mystery. For most meteor showers, scientists have discovered the source behind the trail of dust and rocks. The Southern Delta Aquarids' source is unknown.

Meteor showers are normally produced when Earth's orbit brings it through the path of a comet. In general, the more recently the comet has passed, the stronger the shower. The longer ago the comet passed through the area, the weaker the shower. For example, the recent visit of Comet Tempel-Tuttle past Earth in 1966 was what caused the phenomenal Leonid storm that year, when 100,000 meteors streaked from the heavens per hour.

The Southern Delta Aquarids is strange in that it is still a relatively strong shower, as far as meteor showers are concerned, but it lost its parent comet long ago. The comet responsible for the shower was most likely disturbed into a different orbit or crashed into another object, thus ending its run around the sun. This meteor shower has a counterpart, called the Northern Delta Aquarids. This shower's debris trail runs nearly parallel to the Southern Delta Aquarids, and Earth passes through it around August 8 of each year. The source of this meteor shower is also a mystery. The Northern Delta Aquarids get very little attention because it is even weaker than its Southern counterpart and the much more exciting Perseid meteors peak four nights later.

Meteor showers are usually named for the part of the sky from which the meteors appear to emanate. As Earth passes through the stream of particles, they seem to flow from one constellation. So knowing the name of a meteor shower may help you to know where to look to find the shower. For the Southern Delta Aquarids, you must be looking toward the constellation Aquarius.

For the United States, Aquarius rises in the east southeast portion of the sky in the before midnight. It takes all night to cross the sky and starts sloping toward the western horizon as the sun rises in the east. You will need to set your alarm clock early if you wish to go out and have a peek when the radiant is at its highest point. The moon is absent while Aquarius is up, giving favorable viewing conditions. Meteor showers are best seen without any optical aid, but if you have a telescope and bothered to wake up, you might as well turn it to Uranus, hiding among the stars of Aquarius. As dawn's light arrives the show will come to a close. You may feel tempted to belt out a certain tune. Go ahead, there's probably no one around to hear you. Click the title for more on this shower. Lets hope the weather cooperates but for here in Alabama it looks like it might be cloudy with th e chance of rain near 40-50%.

Total Solar Eclipse

Well as many may know there was a total solar eclipse in eastern Europe. The path of totality began in central India and moved eastward through Nepal and China where it ended in the central Pacific Ocean. A partial eclipse was visible throughout most of eastern Asia and Hawaii. Here are a couple cool shots of the eclipse as it was viewed from space. The weather was great in all ares that it was visible. For here in the continental USA the weather has been pretty boring lately with just 91 reports of Severe weather on Wednesday with 1 confirmed tornado. The rest of the week looks to be as dull until sometime this weekend when a weak trough makes it's way eastward.

40 years since apollo 11

July 16th 1969 the saturn rocket carrying astronauts EDWIN E "BUZZ" ALDRIN, NEIL ARMSTRONG,and MICHEAL COLLINS blasted off headed towards the moon. In just a few short days the first footsteps on the moon — made by Armstrong on July 20, 1969, on the mission known as Apollo 11— came 3½ years before the last ones. Since then, astronauts have been stuck close to the Earth, mostly circling a few hundred miles overhead in a spacecraft that's little more than a glorified cargo truck.

So now what?

That question preoccupies NASA and worries the Obama administration. The president said in March that NASA is beset by "a sense of drift." Even some of the men who once walked on the moon are divided on how to proceed. Options could include going back to the moon, landing on an asteroid, shooting for Mars or even ending human exploration of space altogether.What do you think? Leave a comment and I will comment on a few later.

Still a Chance for Storms After Midnight

With a cold front approaching from the west there is still a threat for rain and storms after midnight and into Friday. As I type this, the strongest storms are in western Mississippi. We will just have to wait and see what or if any rain we get later.

Severe Threat for Thursday.

The SPC has parts of the Tennessee Valley listed in a slight risk for severe storms on Thursday. The main threat will be heavy rain, gusy winds, hail and lightning. There is a chance that the SPC could shift the risk area further to the SE to include all the Tennessee Valley right now it is mainly for the Shoals area. Stay weather aware and follow updates on twitter.

Very Important Job

Here is a photo of the air ambulance LIFE SAVER based out of Birmingham. They are one of many air ambulance sevices in the state. theses guys are there when your life depends on it, when the paramedics on scene feel like you need to get to a level one trauma center quicker than a ground ambulance ride can get you there.This job is also a dangerous job as well.

Sixty people have died in 84 crashes since 2000 — more than double the number of crashes during the previous five years, the newspaper said in Monday editions.

Its study found that more than 10 percent of the U.S. air ambulance helicopter fleet crashed during that time, a proportion that would have translated to 90 jetliner crashes if applied to commercial airlines.

About two-thirds of the fatal crashes occurred in poor visibility.

After reviewing hundreds of pages of documents and interviewing dozens of pilots, aviation experts, federal officials and executives with the companies that operate the flights, USA Today concluded that air ambulance companies and the Federal Aviation Administration have failed to imposed safety requirements that might have saved lives.

It also cited a 2002 study in The Journal of Trauma that found helicopters were used "excessively" for patients who weren't severely injured.

But the newspaper also noted that industry leaders cite other studies to show that thousands of lives are saved each year by speedy flights to hospitals. It pointed out, as well, that pilots operate in challenging situations, such as having to land on hospital roofs and being summoned on live-and-death missions to rural accident scenes despite darkness or bad weather

So if you know a medic, nurse , or pilot on an air ambulance thank them for their service and wish them the best.

Todays Storms

Well with the slight risk in place the SPC nailed it. The NWS Huntsville issued just an handful of SEVERE T-STORM warnins for Madison, Limestone,Jackson,Morgan,and Marshall Counties, and also a few significant weather alerts for the area. All in all it was kinda of quiet. The SPC still has most of Alabama under a slight risk for Monday as well.Above are a few shots from today then the sun came out.

Slight Risk For North Alabama

The SPC has lifted the slight risk back to the north and west a little to include just a small portion of the Birmingham NWS market for now but that may change as the day progresses.The SPC also has almost all of Alabama in a slight risk on Monday as well, but the main battle ground will be in the northern plains as is the case this time of year. Stay weather aware today and tomorrow. Use the tools to the right of the page to navigate the SPC outlooks.

Slight Risk For North And Parts Of Central Alabama On Sunday

The SPC has now included all of the Huntsville NWS area as well as part of the Birmingham NWS area in a slight risk area for severe storms tomorrow. The leading edge of the storms that will grace our area with its presence at that time is now located in Missouri right now. The main threat will be heavy rain,small hail, strong winds, and lots of lightning. be sure to stay weather aware and when you can follow your local storm chasers on twitter. I will be in the field as well and I will post updates often.

Hurricane Carlos

Well the Pacific hurricane seasons is pretrty active with the NHC upgrading tropical storm Carlos to a hurricane.Here is the forcast track for the next 5 days.

El Niño Arrives; Expected to Persist through Winter 2009-10

NOAA scientists today announced the arrival of El Niño, a climate phenomenon with a significant influence on global weather, ocean conditions and marine fisheries. El Niño, the periodic warming of central and eastern tropical Pacific waters, occurs on average every two to five years and typically lasts about 12 months.




Sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Eastern Pacific, as of July 1, are at least one degree above average — a sign of El Niño. Animation.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
NOAA expects this El Niño to continue developing during the next several months, with further strengthening possible. The event is expected to last through winter 2009-10.

“Advanced climate science allows us to alert industries, governments and emergency managers about the weather conditions El Niño may bring so these can be factored into decision-making and ultimately protect life, property and the economy,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

El Niño’s impacts depend on a variety of factors, such as intensity and extent of ocean warming, and the time of year. Contrary to popular belief, not all effects are negative. On the positive side, El Niño can help to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity. In the United States, it typically brings beneficial winter precipitation to the arid Southwest, less wintry weather across the North, and a reduced risk of Florida wildfires.

El Niño’s negative impacts have included damaging winter storms in California and increased storminess across the southern United States. Some past El Niño’s have also produced severe flooding and mudslides in Central and South America, and drought in Indonesia.

An El Niño event may significantly diminish ocean productivity off the west coast by limiting weather patterns that cause upwelling, or nutrient circulation in the ocean. These nutrients are the foundation of a vibrant marine food web and could negatively impact food sources for several types of birds, fish and marine mammals.

In its monthly El Niño diagnostics discussion today, scientists with the NOAA National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center noted weekly eastern equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures were at least 1.0 degree C above average at the end of June. The most recent El Niño occurred in 2006.

El Niño includes weaker trade winds, increased rainfall over the central tropical Pacific, and decreased rainfall in Indonesia. These vast rainfall patterns in the tropics are responsible for many of El Niño’s global effects on weather patterns.

NOAA will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation in the tropical Pacific, and will provide more detailed information on possible Atlantic hurricane impacts in its updated Seasonal Hurricane Outlook scheduled for release on August 6, 2009.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Click the title for the El Nino info page.

90's On The Return

Looks as if today will be ok as far as the temperature goes with the high only near 83. As for the rest of the week looks like the 90 degree temps will be back in full force. With a small chance of rain today with the LOW PRESSURE approaching from the west that is all the excitement for us here in north Alabama today.

Fairly Quiet

Well as far as the slight risk from the SPC went today, I guess you could say it was for naught. I was awakened this morning by a small Severe thunderstorm warning around 3:50am and had a good bit of rain (2.15") but no winds or hail not even any CG lightning. I guess it was good that it was for naught today since it came thru while everyone was sleeping we never want it to happen over night. The secondary line that was heading this way earlier this afternoon and evening has pretty much split and went thru the Shoals and to the east into Jackson county and has left my lawn dry here in Madison. It has also been pretty quiet nation wide today with just 57 reports so far today. Above is the report map so you can see just what areas were hit today.

Todays Hazardous Weather Outlook

Looks As if storms could and will re-fire later this afternoon and this evening here is the SPC's take on things


HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
1015 AM CDT SUN JUL 5 2009

ALZ001>010-016-TNZ076-096-097-051830-
LAUDERDALE-COLBERT-FRANKLIN AL-LAWRENCE-LIMESTONE-MADISON-MORGAN-
MARSHALL-JACKSON-DEKALB-CULLMAN-MOORE-LINCOLN-FRANKLIN TN-
1015 AM CDT SUN JUL 5 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH ALABAMA AND PORTIONS
OF SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY REDEVELOP THROUGH THE AFTERNOON
AS SURFACE HEATING INTERACTS WITH A WEAK COLD FRONT APPROACHING FROM
THE NORTHWEST. SOME STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE...
ESPECIALLY SOUTH OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER...WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS. IN ADDITION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE HEAVY
RAIN WHICH COULD ELEVATE THE FLOOD THREAT...ESPECIALLY ACROSS EASTERN
LAUDERDALE...LIMESTONE...WESTERN MADISON AND MORGAN COUNTIES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...

THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW.

THE WEAK COLD FRONT WILL SLOWLY PUSH SOUTH ACROSS THE AREA AND INTO
CENTRAL ALABAMA ON MONDAY. SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ONCE
AGAIN ON MONDAY...WITH THE HIGHEST PROBABILITIES OF RAINFALL ALONG
AND SOUTH OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER. DRIER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY.

.SPOTTER CALL TO ACTION STATEMENT...

ACTIVATION OF STORM SPOTTERS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IS
POSSIBLE TODAY.

Changes On The Way

Well the streak continues with Thursady being the 18th day in a row that Huntsville saw at least 90 degrees. With the forecast highs for Friday and Saturday at 92 and 94degrees and Sunday at 89 looks as if we could reach 20 or 21 days before the streak is snapped. Above is the day 3 (Sunday) convective outlook for severe weather looks promising for the valley with a 50% chance of showers and storms. These are your common summertime storms so if you get one it will be possble to get alot of rain in a short period of time so be weather aware and if water is covering the roadway TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.

Bring On The Rain

Well it seems like our weather pattern is like a broken record these days but small changes are a coming.looks like we will have a 30% chance of rain on Saturday and a 50% chance on Sunday.Until then stay cool and have a Happy Fourth of July