Thai Bear, Ragdoll Mix, 1995-2009

Over the past several weeks, the Huffines Family has been slowly watching one of our family come to the final stages of her life.  Thai Bear, a beautiful cat who I fell in love with her when I first met my wife, passed this morning at the North Alabama Animal Hospital with the help of Dr. Alan Jones.  She was truly a feline, like them all, in that we lived in HER house, and allowed US to live with her.  She loved playing with any form of string, thread, rope, or any fun dangly object and had a special affinity to plastic bags and grocery sacks.  I have always been a ‘dog guy’.  I must admit that I am still a ‘dog guy’, but having Bear in my life for almost 10 years exactly, changed the way I look at and appreciate cats.

She introduced me to her world.  My wife, Jo, was attached at the hip and at her heart to Thai Bear, and was greatly pained to watch her fade.  Even as she was giving her insulin, feeding her, and trying to will her health when she developed Feline Diabetes, Bear fought with her to give us as many days as she could.  In the end, her body gave out even as her eyes were expressing deep love and life long appreciation.  Rest assured her last days were with her family, and she felt love to the very end.  I hope we see her shadows and hear her purring for years to come.  One unique story, two days ago, as we knew she was suffering, yet trying to live with all the dignity she could afford, my wife lay in bed with our three year old beside, and heard Kyler’s voice calling her.  “Mommy help.”  “Mommy help.”  She looked at him sleeping soundly.  She opened the door to the room and found bear standing shakily looking up at her with need in her eyes.  She had done what it takes to get the attention she needed.  Cats always do.

(click blog title above to open comment section.)

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Where and How Often?

Happy July 1^st! Many believe that by this time of the year tornado season has concluded. In general that might be right if you are discussing the Gulf coastal area or the Southern Plains. However, tornadoes can occur at any time of the year in any location in the lower 48. As Winter fades into Spring the beginning of tornado season occurs along the Gulf Coast. As Spring peaks, tornado season peaks in the Southern Plains. As June arrives, the peak tornado season shifts northward into northeast Colorado through the Central Plains and into the Upper Midwest. For July, the maximum tornado occurrence remains from northeast Colorado through the Upper Midwest. The average number of tornadoes during the month of July is 94 with a peak of 234 in July 1993. In total, since 1959 and estimated 5,000 tornadoes have been reported in 47 states.  For Alabama, about 50 tornadoes have occured during this month since 1950.

We now know that as a whole the Upper Midwest is likely the location of the country to most likely see tornadoes during this month but where exactly? Surprisingly, the state to most likely see a tornado during this month is not even in the Upper Midwest but instead is in the Mid-Atlantic, Maryland, based on the Annual Coverage Fraction (ACF) calculated by VorTek. The remaining states within the top 10 are:

1.       Maryland

2.       Nebraska

3.       Illinois

4.       Wisconsin

5.       Iowa

6.       Minnesota

7.       Ohio

8.       New Jersey

9.       Michigan

10.   Massachusetts

VorTek also calculates the cities most likely to experience a tornado during this month. The city that tops the list is Minneapolis. The completed top 10 list is:

1.       Minneapolis, MN

2.       St. Paul, MN

3.       Allentown, PA

4.       Bloomington, MN

5.       Albany, NY

6.       Wilmington, DE

7.       Lowell, MA

8.       Fargo, ND

9.       Philadelphia, PA

10.   Davenport, IA

A few of the other cities that made it onto the top 20 list include: Gary, IN (11), Milwaukee, WI (12), Dayton, OH (13), Lansing, MI (15) and Hartford, CT (18).

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Scattered Damage in Marshall County Sunday Called a Tornado

As the National Servicein Huntsville had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for a very heavy thunderstorm near Albertville, the storm produced a brief surprise.  A 2 mile long 50 yeard wide path of mostly tree damage that is now being attributed to a brief tornado touchdown.  You can read about the tornadic storm survey here.

You can also read about how the National Weather Service is changing their hail parameters that are necessarily met when issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.  From 2010 on, ’severe hail’ will no longer be considered 3/4″, but 1″ hail, the difference between the width of a penny and the width of a quarter.  You can read about the parameter changes here.

Other than that bit of house keeping, the last time we’ve seen 17 days straight of 90+ degree heat was June of 1988, when it reached 90 for 17 straight days.  We’ll miss that streak by ONE DAY since tomorrow is the last day of June, where THIS year’s June streak will end at 16.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

On Sunday, the temperature at Huntsville International Airport reached the century mark which marked the first time that has happened during the month of June since 1988. It is a perfect way to end the current heat wave that the Tennessee Valley has been in over the past two weeks. Sunday was the 14th straight day in which the mercury reached 90 degrees or higher. This marks the longest heat wave since July/August 2007 when the mercury rose to and above 90 degrees for 33 straight days. Our current heat wave averaged a daily high temperature of 96 degrees, which is about 10 degrees above normal for June.

The heat wave is expected to end on Monday as the forecast high temperature is 88 as cooler and drier air moves southward into the Valley behind a cold front. The most noticeable change behind this front will be the much lower humidity. The dew point temperatures, which are used to help indicate comfort level regarding humidity, have been in the upper 60s and lower 70s during this heat wave. Added together with the hot air temperatures of 94-98 resulted in heat index values around 100-105 degrees. This week, the dew point temperatures will be in the 50s and low 60s.

While we have been baking, the tropics have been quiet; however, the weather pattern that brought us the warmth is actually helping to prime the Gulf of Mexico for potential tropical storm development. A weak tropical disturbance that has moved through the Caribbean is near the Yucatan of Mexico. It will drift northward into the Gulf of Mexico this week and may try to develop further into a tropical system. You can learn more by watching Sunday evening’s tropical weather discussion.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Here is a video discussion on the current status in the tropics as of Saturday evening

Click here to go to view the video

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Sunday’s Scattered T-storms Lead a Cool Down

Another VERY HOT day on Saturday.  High Temperatures will likely climb into the upper 90s once again, with afternoon high temperatures likely topping out at 96 to 98 degrees, with afternoon heat index values climbing to 100 to 105.  Please take it easy with your weekend outdoor chores, take frequent breaks, cool down, and take it easy out there, as they used to say on the 1970’s drama Hill Street Blues.

On Sunday, as a cool front pushes our way, the humidities will remain high, and the temperatures will probably push into the low to middle 90s again before a chance for showers and thunderstorms along with a few clouds will help keep the temperatures from climbing back into the mid to upper 90s.  That will end up being a timing issue with the arrival of the cool front.

Then Part III of this saga is the cooler air BEHIND that front.  High temperatures will likely stay in the upper 80s to near 90 most of next week, with morning low temperatures in the middle to upper 60s.  Northwesterly winds in June and July can occassionally bring masses of thunderstorms from the Plains into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley if they develop, but those calls are not possible until the storms themselves begin to form.

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

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Low Humidity and a Breeze Made Wednesday Better

Well, we DID see a drop in humidities Wednesday and into Thursday, but there was also a drop in the winds FROM Wednesday TO Thursday.  That made the 96 degree high temperatures feel every degree of 96, even though the heat index values were no higher than the temperatures.

Thunderstorms?  There is a SLIGHT chance for a few thunderstorms to develop under an upper level storm system headed our direction.  When this occurs, there remains a slight chance for some development Friday through Saturday early morning, then depending on a surface storm system, a VERY slight chance Sunday afternoon into early next week.

The Sunday chance for a shower or thundershower will arrive along with a cool front that will actually bring a slight change in temperatures.  While late June cool fronts in the Tennessee Valley are as rare as hen’s teeth, if it indeed moves this far south, it will be indeed welcome by all who spend time outdoors.  But is IS ONLY JUNE.  The hottest days lie ahead.

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

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

But We Are NOT Talking About a Dry Heat

97.

Again.  97 degrees.  Fahrenheit.  For the third time this short summer vacation season.  97.  And it won’t be our last.  Possibly not even this week.  While we have seen a LITTLE drop in humidities, with drier air comes very little change in the upper level air flow which tends to rapidly heat the drier air more rapidly than moist air.  Hence, an air mass change without a change in the upper level air flow means the hot weather remains, with heat index values dropping from 103-107 to 97-103.  Yippee.

Thunderstorms?  There is a SLIGHT chance for a few thunderstorms to develop under an upper level storm system headed our direction.  When this occurs, there remains a slight chance for some development riday through Saturday, then depending on a surface storm system, a VERY slight chance into early next week.  Another weak cool front will be moving into the area Saturday, and I am HOPING as it does, it will bring a slight cooldown with it.

In other words, hot and dry weather will last for the next week predominantly.

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

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

LIGHTNING AWARENESS WEEK… CLICK HERE FOR INTERESTING INFORMATION!! 

With the heat wave that we have had over the past several of days, many don’t realize that summer has officialy only started today! For many, the June solstice marks the longest day of the year with early dawn, late sunset, long day, and short night. See below for the FAQ’s regarding Summer Solstice 2009.

When and where does the summer sostice take place?

Everywhere on earth celebrates summer sostice at the same instant. However, many clocks say different times. The solstice takes place today at 5:46am Universal Time, which is 12:46am on June 21st central time.

What is a solstice?

The earliest humans built monuments such as Stonehenge to follow the sun’s yearly progresss. They knew that the sun’s path across the sky, length of daylight and the location of the sunrise and sunset varied throughout the year. Sostice itself is an astronomical event. It is caused by the Earth’s tile on its axis and its motion in orbit around the sun. Did you know that the Earth does not orbit upright? The Earth it tilted on its axis by 23.5 degrees. The Earth’s Southern and Northern hemispheres trade places in receiving the light and warmth from the sun.

Right now, during the June solstice, the Earth is positioned in its orbit with the North Pole learning towards the sun. As we can see from Earth, the sun is directly overhead at noon and north of the equator. It is here that we say that there is an imaginary line encircling the globe. This line is known as the Tropc of Cancer. This is the time where the sun is as far north as it will get. Due to the summer solstice, all locations south of the equator have day time lengths less than 12 hours. On the other hand, all locations north of the equator have days greater than 12 hours.

Where can I find signs of sostice in my everyday environment?

You can look just about anywhere and everywhere. For all of Earth’s creatures, nothing is so fundamental as the length of daylight. The sun is the ultimate source of all light and warmth on Earth. If you live in the northern hemisphere, you can notice the early dawns and late sunsets, and the high arc of the sun across the sky each day.

Why is the solstice such a topic of discussion?

Cultures universally have had markers, holidays and alignments . . . all related to the solstice. This occuance has been universal among humans to treasure this time of warmth and light. For us in the modern world, the solstice is a time to recall the reverence and understanding that early people had for the sky. Some 5,000 years ago, people placed huge stones in a circle on a broad plain in what’s now England and aligned them with the June solstice sunrise.

We may never comprehend the full significance of Stonehenge. But we do know that knowledge of this sort wasn’t isolated to just one part of the world. Around the same time Stonehenge was being constructed in England, two great pyramids and then the Sphinx were built on Egyptian sands. If you stood at the Sphinx on June 21 and gazed toward the two pyramids, you’d see the sun set exactly between them.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Hot Weather Expected This Weekend

The weather is hot enough to remind you about what to remember if outdoors in this high heat and humidity.  The following information was pulled directly from the National Weather Service, Huntsville’s, web page.  I believe in giving credit where credit is due.  Be safe all weekend!

A strong high pressure system will continue to exert its influence over our weather through the weekend. Daytime high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s are expected through the weekend, with overnight lows only dropping into the low 70s. High humidity levels will result in afternoon heat index temperatures around 100F to 105F, or possible even higher in some areas. Temperatures may be high enough to meet our heat advisory criteria during the afternoon hours this weekend. Keep abreast of the latest forecast and advisory information from the National Weather Service, to enusure you stay safe in the heat this weekend.

From the Southern Region’s Page on Heat Safety Rules

• Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool.
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets, or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.
• Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
• Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.

Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms

• Sunburn - Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever and headaches.
• Heat Cramps - Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating.Heat Exhaustion - Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Fainting and vomiting. Normal temperature possible.
• Heat or Sun Stroke - High body temperature (106 or higher). Hot, dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness.

Heat Advisory Criteria for the NWS Huntsville Forecast Area

Heat index temperatures are forecast to be between 105F and 110F
                                                -or-
Actual air temperatures are forecast to be between 100F and 105F

Excessive Heat Warning Criteria for the NWS Huntsville Forecast Area

Heat index temperatures are forecast to exceed 110F
                                       -or-
Actual air temperatures are forecast to exceed 105F

Be sure to check out our graphical forecast page for temperature and even heat index temperature updates through the weekend.

Highs To Climb Into the Mid to Upper 90s

Showers and thunderstorms that gave us the storm damage on Monday night, though VERY fresh in our minds, are going to be missed by the end of the weekend with the increasing heat and immovable humidity over the Tennessee Valley through Father’s Day.  A LARGE and strong High Pressure area in the Gulf at the Surface and a VERY strong ‘ridge’ in the upper levels of the atmosphere will help to define the heat for our first heat wave (so to speak) this summer.  Though the term ‘heat wave’ has its official definitions, for which this week’s heat doesn’t qualify, I will conversationally call it a heat wave as the purists squirm in their leather computer chairs.

There will not be much of a break coming this weekend, as strongly hinted at yesterday, so expect to see continued hot and muggy weather well into next week.  Alabama in June.  And it’s not even summer.  Er… and where are the Tropical Storms?  June 17 and ZILCH.  Not a bad start.  Unfortunately, slow starts historically mean fewer stronger storms later in the season.

ABNT20 KNHC 172342
TWOAT
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
800 PM EDT WED JUN 17 2009

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC…CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO…

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

$$
FORECASTER BEVEN

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

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Highs About to Pop Into the Middle 90s

We are about to see the highest actual temperatures yet by mid-week.  But for Monday evening, many of us will see some very heavy showers and t-storms move across the Tennessee Valley in the form of a QLCS that will slip across Southern Tennessee and North Alabama Monday evening and into the early overnight hours of Tuesday.

HERE ARE THE STORM REPORTS BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.  LOTS OF DAMAGE REPORTED!

These are pictures sent in by viewers and meteorologist Dale Bader as the storm was pounding much of Morgan County with large hail.

While gusting and strong winds and large hail was common in this system, isolated tornadoes were reported along the path of this system as it has drifted across west Tennessee.

For most of the rest of the week the atmosphere will warm up quickly, and we’ll see high temperatures climb into the mid 90s with heat index values approaching 100 degrees.  A weak, but hopefully moderately effective cool front will move across the Valley Saturday, stirring a few more t-storms, and bringing us back down to near seasonal average temperatures in the upper 80s to near 90.

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

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Mid-South Took a Beating

On Friday, a weather phenomenon known as a Derecho affected a large part of the U.S. from southeast Kansas to Georgia bringing damaging winds, hail and a few tornadoes with it. Some of you might ask, what is a Derecho?  A Derecho ia a long-lived thunderstorm complex with widespread damaging winds. The event that occurred on Friday covered nearly 800 miles and caused more than 200 severe weather reports.

The worst hit area was the Mid-South in and around the Memphis Metro Area. Winds associated with the storm complex were generally between 65 MPH and 75 MPH; however a few locations reported winds that exceeded 80 MPH. A few tornadoes were also reported. Two occurred in the Memphis area with one (EF-1) striking Bartlett, TN and another (EF-2) striking Olive Branch, MS. Several tens of thousands remain without power and it may be close to the end of the week before full power is restored. Luckily, as the complex approached the TN Valley it began to weaken and shift further south. A few severe storms and wind damage reports did occur across Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale Counties. In addition, no major injuries were reported across the damage path from Kansas to Georgia.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

…okay… LOTS of Humidity

When we talk about humidity on WAAY-31 News, we normally don’t mention percentages and the term relative humidity, since the numbers used in relative humidity are.. well.. relative, and therefore not concrete.  In the world of science, we try to avoid non-concrete terms, and try to use as many measurable elements as possible.  So while ‘relative humidity’ is a percentage of how much moisture the air CAN hold at a certain temperatures, it is too temperature dependent, and if nothing else in a day, temperatures ALWAYS change.  Therefore, RELATIVE humidity is NOT the best way to descrive how muggy it is outside.  Dew point IS the best way to describe the amount of water vapor in the air, and therefore, the level of mugginess.

When dew points are in the 50s in the summer, warm air is not uncomfortable.  From 60 to 65, it startes to feel ‘close’ as my Grandmother used to say.  65 to 70, it feels quite muggy.  70-75 in North Alabama, is like walking around in a bucket of warm water.  From 75 to 80, though almost unheard of THIS far away from the Gulf, the air is almost unbearably muggy.

After thunderstorms moved across Decatur, the Dew point shot up to 74, s temperatures rised back above 80, the heat index shot up to 88, since there was so much moisture in the air, and the evaporation rate off your skin was so slow, to the SKIN it felt like 88.

So for the next few days, as the temperatures rise and the dewpoints rise as well, get ready for not only locally heavy thunderstorms through the weekend, but afternoon heat index values above 95 at times late next week.

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

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

A Look at Summer 2009 and the Tropics

It is time to look forward to vacations, picnics, bar-b-ques, swimming and lemonade as we head into the summer months of June, July and August. But what does Mother Nature have in store for us this year? Will it be sweltering, typical or unusually chilly? We will attempt to answer those questions for you in this year’s 2009 Summer Outlook. In addition, we will take a look into the tropics and provide you with a outlook on the tropical weather season.

First, lets start by reviewing the basic information gathered and utilized to help create this year’s summer outlook. As is the case with every long range outlook, there are many variables that are brought together like pieces of a puzzle to help create a picture. Unfortunately, if just one variable changes significantly the whole seasonal outlook can be put into jeopardy. A few of these variables include Pacific equatorial water temperatures, north Pacific water temperatures, north Atlantic water temperatures and pressure trends and recent rainfall trends over the past several weeks and months.

One of the major factors in a long range seasonal outlook is El Nino vs. El Nina. A look at water temperatures in the tropical region of the Pacific ocean reveals that neutral conditions are forecast to transition to a moderate El Nino. Five consecutive months of gradual warming of the waters in this region is anticipated to continue through the summer and by August it is likely that we will be averaging about 1 degree above normal across the interested area marking a moderate El Nino. El Nino impacts during the summer across the TN Valley include: drier than normal, bit cooler than normal and usually provides a less conducive environment for hurricanes and tropical storms to develop.

Reviewing previous monthly data across the tropical Pacific, the north Atlantic water temperature and pressure trends and previous monthly temperature and precipitation trends across the TN Valley has helped in providing reference years to look back at as possible solutions to the upcoming 2009 summer and tropical season. The years referenced were 2006, 2001, 1976, 1974, 1968 and 1965. Using these years, the current recent weather trends and forecast data the following summer and tropical outlook as been comprised.

June 2009

June will finally allow the TN Valley to dry out after the 3^rd wettest May on record, while being a bit cooler than normal. A few days of severe weather are also possible, but mainly anticipating a few strong storms with gusty winds and some hail to briefly become severe.

July 2009

July is traditionally the hottest month during the entire year for the TN Valley, and I believe this year will not be any different. However, I do believe this July will be cooler than normal with no days making it to the century mark. Rainfall will be near average and a few days of severe weather is possible similar to that in June.

August 2009

August will provide the last chance for seeing above normal heat across the TN Valley for this summer, but again like June, and July it appears that even though a few days may be quite warm overall; the month will average on the cooler side of normal. It will also mark a continuation of a drying out across the Valley after the wet Spring we had.

A Look at the Tropics

June 1^st officially started the 2009 Hurricane Season even though the tropics had already tried to provide the season’s first tropical system, twice. Before providing you the official Storm Force 31 tropical outlook I thought it would be good to provide some comparison outlooks from a couple other major sources.

The National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) outlook for the season calls for a near normal Atlantic hurricane season. But what does that mean and what are their specifics? On average, the tropical season in the Atlantic includes 10 named storms with 6 becoming hurricanes and of those 3 becoming “Major” hurricanes. Their outlook calls for a 70% chance of 9 to 14 named storms with 4 to 7 of them becoming hurricanes and of those 3 reaching “Major” status, category 3, 4 or 5. The NHC’s hurricane outlook doesn’t provide specifics on potential landfall.

Another popular source for hurricane outlooks is the one provided by Colorado State University professor, Dr. William Gray. His 2009 outlook also calls for an average Atlantic hurricane season. The outlook forecasts 12 named storms with 6 being hurricanes and 2 of those reaching “Major” hurricane status. It also forecasts normal chances for U.S. Landfall of a “Major” hurricane, 54%.

Now, the official Storm Force 31 tropical outlook. Like the NHC and Dr. Gray, the Storm Force 31 outlook also forecasts a near normal tropical season. We predict 9 named storms with one storm becoming a “Major” hurricane. We are also forecasting 4 named storms making a U.S. Landfall with the highest probability being along the Eastern Gulf of Mexico coast in Florida northward up the Atlantic Coast from Eastern FL to the DELMARVA.

And A Look Back at Spring 2009

Taking a look back at Spring 2009 we can say it was definitely wet. Both April and May had above normal rainfall with May 2009 becoming the 3^rd wettest May ever. So how did the Storm Force 31 Spring 2009 Outlook measure up? Here is a table that shows you the forecast and what actually happened. You decide how we did and let us know what our grade was.

April 2009

Forecast:    (Actual)

Temperature: Slightly Above Normal (0.2 Degrees Above Normal)

80 Degree Days: 10 (8)

Precipitation: Near Normal (1.26″ Above Normal)

Severe Days: 4 (6)

May 2009

Forecast: (Actual)

Temperature: Slightly Above Normal (1.1 Degrees Above Normal)

90 Degree Days: 3 (1)

Precipitation: Near Normal (4.96″ Above Normal)

Severe Days: 5 (8)

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

In March of this year, WAAY 31 in partnership with The Greenery and Vought Water Gardens began work on a total ecological system right here in WAAY’s back yard on top of Monte Sano mountain and all of the hard work has culminated with the official debut today. The water garden includes two waterfalls, a self sustaining irrigation system, 6 rare Japanese Coy fish and a mix of perennial and annual plantings. Over the next several days, weeks and months you will be seeing our live weather casts and special interviews being provided to you from this lovely spot. Here is a slide show of this project coming together over the past few months.

 Here is the official unveiling of the water garden as shown on the 5 PM evening news. Simply click here.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

Are you ready for Summer? How about those vacations? But you may be asking yourself, “What will Summer 2009 be like weatherwise?” Well, the Storm Force 31 weather team will help provide you answers to this upcoming 2009 Summer and will also take a peak at the tropics and provide a look at what we can expect. Make sure to tune in Monday to WAAY 31 News for the official Storm Force 31 Summer and Tropical Outlook.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

After 4 days in a row of 90 degree or higher heat, today temperatures only rose into the low 80s before some very heavy rains arrived in the TN Valley. The flow in the atmosphere was such that storms did not move very fast, and instead sat and dropped very heavy rainfall over areas in a very short amount of time. The heaviest rain fell across northwestern Madison County in Alabama from Toney through Carter Grove. Radar estimates in this area indicate as much as 5.5″ inches of rain fell late this afternoon into the evening.

The abundant heavy rain in a short period of time lead to some flash flooding.  Here are a few pictures that were sent into the weather center this evening showing the flooding that occured.  

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

What is it and where?

Around 12:45 PM Wednesday afternoon a viewer provided this picture of what looks to be a tornado, near I-565 and Huntsville International Airport, but is it?

What is shown in the picture is what is known as a type of tornado called a landspout. A landspout is a tornado that forms from a non-supercell thunderstorm or in this instance, cloud. Traditionally landspouts are weak and do little if any damage and are more common in the western U.S., especially in Colorado. This is due to the type of atmospheric environment required for their formation occurs more regularly there but today things were just right here in the Valley.

As of this writing, there was no reports of any damage as of a result of this landspout

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

May 2009, 3rd Wettest Ever for the Rocket City

Many of us know it was wet and rainy during the month of May but now it is official. The month ended with Huntsville International Airport receiving 10.20″ of rainfall. That is 4.96″ above normal for the month and ranks the month as the 3rd wettest May ever following the May of 1983 and 2003.

Here is a complete list of the 10 Wettest Mays on record for Huntsville:

1. 11.88″ (1983)

2. 10.43″ (2003)

3. 10.20″ (2009)

4. 9.08″ (1980)

5. 9.03″ (1974)

6. 8.68″ (1991)

7. 8.35″ (1909)

8. 8.27″ (1993)

9. 8.07 (1923)

10. 7.51″ (1984)

It was not as wet in the Shoals but they too, saw above normal precipitation for the month of May. The Muscle Shoals Regional Airport saw 6.27″ of rain in May which was 0.97″ above normal. This marked the 20th wettest May on record for Muscle Shoals.

Through May, Huntsville is nearly 1.5″ above normal for the year while Muscle Shoals is just over 2″ shy for the year.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31

With an average high temperature of 82 degrees at this time of year, Sunday’s 91 and forecasting 90s for Monday and Tuesday, we are getting a bit of an early taste of summer conditions.  About the only thing missing are dewpoints in the upper 60s and low 70s, but they too are forecast to rise as the week ensues.

We’ll expect to get into a “heat of the day” shower-thunderstorm pattern as early as Tuesday and again Wednesday. 

By Thursday a passing cold front will bring more widespread showers and storms.  Following the front, temps should cool down to something closer to normal for the weekend; mid 60s for lows and mid 80s for highs.

June 1 also marks the beginning of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico hurricane season. 

Pools are open already, so you may be tempted to find some relief this week!  Enjoy !

Gary Dobbs, Meteorologist / StormForce 31

However June Will Begin on the Dry Side

It has rained 21 of the first 26 days of this month at the official National Weather site at Huntsville International Airport, and that ties a record set in 1946 and tied in2006 for the most days of rain in May.  The all-time record for ANY month is 23 days, and the National Weather Service says we have a good chance of tying that, if not POSSIBLY breaking it.  For Measurable rain, we are now up to 15 days, 2 short of the May record.  Also for the month of May, we have seen just over 10″ of rain at the NWS official coffee can this month.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue Wednesday and Thursday until a cool front heads through Thursday afternoon, with cooler weather on Friday.  However, a fairly strong upper level storm system will follow the front and keep a threat for a thunderstorm in the afternoon forecast as the cooler weather heads in.  These types of isolated thunderstorms frequently carry hail as the cooler air in the upper atmosphere cools the rain quickly to form these ice pellets.  Great weather Saturday will precede a few isolated t-storms Sunday as temperatures climb fairly quickly, and head into the upper 80s to near 90 next week.

You can stay up-to-date for the latest forecast details on WAAY-TV, www.waaytv.com, Twitter & Facebook (StormForce31).  Check the 7-Day Forecast for Additional Details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

But there IS a Break Coming Our Way

FINALLY.  We can TALK about some rain and storm free weather in the 7-Day forecast.  Not for today, nor tomorrow, nor the NEXT day.  But by NEXT weekend, there is a likelihood of seeing some very nice weather NEXT weekend.  I know, one weekend too late to have a great holiday weekend, but at least a nice weekend to FINALLY be able to plan for.

With more rain, showers, and thunderstorms in the forecast Monday evening through Thursday morning, we have a chance for some strong to severe thunderstorms daily until the weather pattern changes entirely Thursday along with a cool front.  The heaviest thunderstorms will occur in and just after the heat of the day, so remain weather aware if outdoors with approaching showers and thunderstorms.

You can stay up-to-date for the latest forecast details on WAAY-TV, www.waaytv.com, Twitter & Facebook (StormForce31).  Check the 7-Day Forecast for Additional Details.

Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31

Shuttle Atlantis landed Sunday at 11:39 A.M. EDT at Edwards AFB in the California desert under clear skies. The landing completed a successful STS-125 mission to service and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis completed nearly 13 days in orbit and was originally planning to return home at Kennedy Space Center in Florida; however, due to continuous waves of rain and storms that has brought more than 12” of rain to the region, mission leaders decided to abort and land in California instead. This is a costly decision as it will now cost nearly $2 million to ferry the shuttle across country. For more on this story you can click on the video below.

Dale Bader / Meteorologist, Storm Force 31 

Could Become a Costly Landing at Edwards AFB

Shuttle Atlantis continues to orbit Earth awaiting the “Go” to land. The hope of NASA has been to land the shuttle at Kennedy Space Center. However, continued rain and storms has forced the agency to scrub planned landings the past two days.  Mission  Control is now planning on trying again, Sunday, to land at the primary site of Kennedy Space Center. The first attempt will be made at 10:11 AM EDT, weather permitting. If needed, there is a second opportunity to land at KSC on Sunday if the first time is not a GO. In the worse case scenario, Atlantis could land at Edwards AFB in California as there will be two additional opportunities to land there on Sunday. The downfall of landing at Edwards is that it costs about $2 million to ferry the shuttle across the country after the landing.

So will mother nature cooperate for NASA and allow a landing at Kennedy Space Center? At this time, it appears that yet again more rain and storms are likely, Sunday, at the landing site. However, the best chances for rain and storms will arrive after noon so it may be possible that the morning landing opportunity will be a “Go”

If NASA decides to land at Edwards instead, the weather there is likely to cooperate as clear skies are forecast. The only fly in the ointment would be the winds,which are forecast to be in the range of 15-25 with higher gusts.

Dale Bader, Meteorologist / Storm Force 31