Test

 

Friday Afternoon October 16, 2009
Forecaster: Chief Forecaster Fred Gossage

A VACATION FROM RAIN: The weather map looks like winter. The temperature almost feels that way. It is not winter. People in the weather business consider December, January and February as the winter months. In parts of the Northern USA, it really does feel like winter with some snow. Here in Alabama we are getting some noticeable effects of that weather. A big high-pressure system has spread out across the midsection of the nation and it has sent a cold front all the way into the Gulf of Mexico. By daybreak tomorrow, the front will be near Miami, believe it or not.

Clouds hung tough across Alabama today and temperatures felt even colder because of a brisk northerly wind. At mid-afternoon, temperatures were in the low and mid 50s across the north. The overcast conditions and brisk wind made it feel like the 40s. Those clouds will stubbornly hang on tonight. We could even see a few patches of light drizzle overnight and low temperatures by morning will be close to the 40-degree mark.

SATURDAY WEATHER: Breezy and very cool. You might see a few periods of sunshine during the afternoon, but most of the day will be cloudy however it will be clearing Saturday night. The wind tomorrow will be peaking over 20 mph at times, so it will not be a comfortable day. By Sunday it should be sunny everywhere with cold early mornings. 

We believe that Monday morning will be our coldest. We are calling for an average low across North/Central Alabama of around 36. This means that in the colder valleys there could be some low temperatures closer to 30, which would give the possibility of some scattered frost. This will only happen if the wind dies down completely. Even a 5 to 8 mph wind can prevent it. A more pronounced warming trend starts Tuesday. 

A RAIN VACATION: Birmingham has had measurable rain on 11 of the last 16 days, including 11 in a row. Anniston has had measurable rain 12 out of the first 15 days. Tuscaloosa has received over 5 inches of rain in the last two weeks. They had over 9 inches in September. So, we need a break and we are getting the break. This will allow the ground to dry out some and swollen streams to decline. We may not have any more rain until late next week. 

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For sure you will need some extra clothing for the high school games tonight. Temperatures will fall from the 50s into the 40s with fairly brisk north winds. College football Saturday looks great. All of the games are night games. South Carolina will be at Alabama, Kentucky will be at Auburn, and UAB will be in Oxford to play Ole Miss. Temperatures will be in the 40s throughout the game. 

AROUND THE USA: 15 at Allagash, Maine was the coldest in the USA this morning. A snowstorm across North/Central Pennsylvania has caused widespread tree damage and power outages. The heavy wet snow accumulated on trees that still had their leaves. (Autumn color at that.) As much as 6 to 9 inches accumulated.