Perfect Weather Warning....

ALABAMA REGIONAL WEATHER ROUNDUP
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL
200 PM CDT FRI MAR 19 2010

NOTE: "FAIR" INDICATES FEW OR NO CLOUDS BELOW 12,000 FEET
WITH NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER AND/OR OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISIBILITY.

THE REMARK "TC" DENOTES TEMPERATURE IN DEGREES CELSIUS.

NORTH ALABAMA

CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS
MUSCLE SHOALS SUNNY 67 36 31 VRB3 30.04F
HUNTSVILLE SUNNY 68 35 29 SW3 30.04F
DECATUR SUNNY 67 32 27 CALM 30.05F
HALEYVILLE FAIR 67 33 28 VRB6 30.05F
GADSDEN SUNNY 66 36 32 CALM 30.03F
$$

WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA

CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS
TUSCALOOSA SUNNY 71 32 23 SE7 30.04F
$$

CENTRAL ALABAMA

CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS
BIRMINGHAM MOSUNNY 68 34 28 CALM 30.05F
MONTGOMERY MOSUNNY 70 36 28 W6 30.05F
SHELBY CO ARPT SUNNY 69 37 30 CALM 30.04F
MAXWELL AFB MO SUNNY 71 38 30 VRB3 30.03F

EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA

CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS
ANNISTON SUNNY 68 33 27 SE6 30.03F
ALEXANDER CITY SUNNY 70 34 26 CALM 30.03F
AUBURN SUNNY 70 34 26 NW6 30.00F
$$

SOUTHWEST ALABAMA

CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS
MOBILE PTSUNNY 67 39 35 CALM 30.07F
BROOKLEY FIELD MOSUNNY 68 39 34 S8 30.08F
EVERGREEN SUNNY 70 36 28 VRB5 30.05F
$$

SOUTHEAST ALABAMA

CITY SKY/WX TMP DP RH WIND PRES REMARKS
DOTHAN SUNNY 71 39 31 VRB3 30.07F
OZARK MOSUNNY 71 41 33 SW8 30.03F
TROY SUNNY 72 37 28 VRB3 30.04F
EUFAULA FAIR 74 37 26 S7 30.01F

...

Overcast and 48

Over the past week or so it seemed that every time I walked by my thermometer I saw the number “48” and every time I stepped outside the skies were overcast. I decided to check the previous three days’ worth of hourly observations from the Huntsville International Airport to see just how true this was.

During each of the 72 hourly observations (3 days) from 11 a.m. Sunday March 14 through 10 a.m. Wednesday March 17, the Huntsville International Airport has reported overcast skies during each of the 72 hourly observations (five included light rain).

During those same 72 hours, temperatures have only ranged from 45 to 51. The average temperature has been 48.4 degrees. The median (middle) temperature and mode (most frequently occurring) temperature were both 48.

Following is the number of hours spent at each temperature:

45 - 4
46 - 3
47 - 15
48 - 16
49 - 15
50 - 11
51 - 8

The temperature has been between 47 and 50 during 79 per cent of the past 3 days.

While this may have made forecasting easier, it has certainly been dreary weather for people who enjoy sunshine and boring for people who enjoy extreme weather.

...

Images from the Blizzard of 1993

Valley Avenue, Homewood, AL


Kevin Selle on Red Mountain in Birmingham


Satellite image


58 mph in the blizzard on Red Mountain in Birmingham

....

Blizzard of 1993

Updated to include videos of coverage by James Spann, Kevin Collins, and Dan Satterfield on WBRC 6 in Birmingham. Scroll down to the bottom of the post.



None of us who are old enough to remember the blizzard of March 12-15, 1993 will soon forget it. This storm shattered snow records and caused amazing weather events from Canada to Central America.

I will focus mainly on the extreme weather Alabamians witnessed. According to the NWS Birmingham, all time Birmingham snow records include:
MAXIMUM in 24 hours 13.0 inches March 1993
MAXIMUM in a single storm 13.0 inches March 1993
MAXIMUM in a single month 13.0 inches March 1993
MAXIMUM in a single season 13.0 inches 1992-93

Below is a clip of the home video I made of the snow that fell in Huntsville, Alabama March 12 & 13, 1993. Huntsville "only" received seven inches from the storm. However snowfall amounts of greater than one foot were common, especially from Birmingham to the east and northeast. The town of Walnut Grove, Alabama, actually received 20" of snow!



All of Alabama was covered in snow. Mobile received 3". The highest total reported in Alabama was at Walnut Grove near the Blount-Etowah county line. Red Mountain in Birmingham recorded hurricane force winds according to meteorologist James Spann. Thundersnow was reported all across the state, from Huntsville to Mobile.

Here is a list of Alabama snow totals posted originally by J.B. Elliott:

20 inches at Walnut Grove
17 inches in Valley Head
16 inches in Oneonta and Bessemer
13 inches at Anniston, Talladega, Pinson and Birmingham Airport
12 inches at Thomasville, Childersburg and Scottsboro
11 inches at Sylacauga
10 inches at Cullman, Clanton and Heflin
9 inches at Thorsby
8 inches at Ashland, Centreville, Moulton and Guntersville
7 inches at Alexander City, Huntsville and Whatley
6 inches at Camden, Evergreen, Jasper, Livingston, Andalusia, Haleyville and Highland Home
5 inches at Auburn, Winfield, Muscle Shoals and Chatham
4 inches at Montgomery, Union Springs, Vernon, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Frisco City, Greenville, Troy
3 inches at Brewton, Hamilton, Bay Minette and Mobile Airport
2 inches at Atmore and Robertsdale
Trace at Coden and Fairhope

Here are some great links:

A Storm to Always Remember J.B. Elliott 2008 post New

Pictures from the 1993 Blizzard James Spann 2008 post New

Anyone Remember the Blizzard of 1993 James Spann 2008 post New

15th Anniversary of the "Blizzard of '93" Thread on Talkweather.com 2008 New

"Remember the Blizzard of 1993?" Thread on Tidesports.com 2008 New

Meteorologist James Spann's account of the storm.

James Spann posted some really cool viewer photos and stories from the storm.

Remembering the "Blizzard of 1993" NWS Birmingham

The Blizzard of 1993 WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Photos WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Listen to the feature story commemorating the Blizzard of 1993 WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Steve Chiotakis remembers forecast and broadcast challenges WBHM FM 90.3 Birmingham

Superstorm 1993 - A Case Study

Wikipedia Storm of the Century (1993)

The Historic American Engineering Record was surveying Birmingham historic sites when the storm occurred. They took the following pictures in downtown Birmingham and in Southside. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

---




The video below is part one of the historic "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama. These clips are in chronological order.

This clip begins on Friday morning March 12, 1993 with meteorologist Dan Satterfield as the precipitation was entering Alabama.

This clip ends just after 10 p.m. when Kevin Collins says that several inches have accumulated on secondary roads.

It includes updates that were provided throughout the evening by meteorologist James Spann, Kevin Collins, and news updates at the end of the clip by Brenda Ladun.



Below is part two of the historic "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

During this clip, which was recorded between 10:15 p.m. and midnight, wind gusts were 37 and increased to 41 just before midnight as the storm officially became a blizzard. Thundersnow was reported for the first time around 11 p.m. Thundersnow was also reported in Huntsville and Mobile at the same time. Kevin Collins reported 4-6" of snow just before midnight.

Meteorologist James Spann and Kevin Collins of WBRC 6 report on this historic storm along with news anchors Scott Richards and Brenda Ladun.



The next video, below, is part three of the historic "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

These clips are in chronological order. This one begins at 12 a.m. on March 13, 1993 and ends just before 1 a.m. Notice how the power is flickering at the station during the past few minutes of the clip.

The blizzard was really cranking up in Birmingham by this time. Spann reported 6-8" on the ground and winds gusted to 51 mph on Red Mountain at approximately 12:50.

Meteorologist James Spann and Kevin Collins of WBRC 6 report on this historic storm.



This is part four of the historic coverage of the "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

These clips are in chronological order. This one begins at approximately 1:50 a.m. on March 13, 1993 and ends at 3:15 a.m. By this time snow accumulations across Central Alabama were over 8" and wind gusts atop Red Mountain at Channel 6 were recorded at 58 miles per hour. Many, if not most of the people tuned in at the time were listening on portable radios as the power was out in many areas.

Snow was accumulating as far south as the beach at Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama.

The most fascinating part of this video was during the final five minutes as photographer Jeff Thorn describes the video he made, which includes thunder and lightning.

Meteorologist James Spann and Kevin Collins of WBRC 6 report on this historic storm.



This is the fifth and final part of James Spann's and Kevin Collins' historic live coverage of the "Storm of the Century" or "Blizzard of 1993" in Alabama.

This clip begins at approximately 3:15 a.m. on March 13, 1993 and ends at 8:44 a.m. By this time snow accumulations across Central Alabama were over one foot and wind gusts atop Red Mountain at Channel 6 were continued to exceed 40 miles per hour. Many, if not most of the people tuned in at the time were listening on portable radios as the power was out in many areas.

In addition to James and Kevin, WBRC 6 anchors Scott Richards, Janet Hall, photographer Jeff Thorn, and reporter Art Franklin contributed to this coverage.

Snowfall Totals - NWS Huntsville

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
952 AM CST WED MAR 3 2010

...SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM THE MARCH 2 SNOW EVENT...

A WINTER STORM BROUGHT SNOW TO A LARGE PORTION OF NORTH ALABAMA
AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE ON TUESDAY MARCH 2ND. SNOWFALL
AMOUNTS WITHIN THE HUNTSVILLE COUNTY WARNING AREA WERE
GENERALLY HIGHEST IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA...WHERE
UP TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW FELL. ELSEWHERE...AMOUNTS WERE GENERALLY
ONE TO TWO INCHES. BELOW IS A LIST OF SNOWFALL REPORTS RECEIVED
FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

...CULLMAN COUNTY...
WEST POINT          2.5      COOP

...DEKALB COUNTY...
CROSSVILLE          1.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
FORT PAYNE          2.0      PUBLIC
FYFFE               2.5      PUBLIC
GERALDINE           2.5      EMERGENCY MGMT
SYLVANIA            3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
1 S COLLINSVILLE    5.0      PUBLIC
VALLEY HEAD         5.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
IDER                5.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
MENTONE             5.5      EMERGENCY MGMT
MENTONE             6.0      PUBLIC/MEDIA

...FRANKLIN COUNTY TENNESSEE...
COWAN               1.0      TRAINED SPOTTER
ESTILL SPRINGS      1.0      PUBLIC
HUNTLAND            1.3      PUBLIC
WINCHESTER          1.7      COOP

...JACKSON COUNTY...
HOLLYTREE           0.5      COOP
WOODVILLE           0.7      TRAINED SPOTTER
1 NE LANGSTON       1.0      COCORAHS
PLEASANT GROVES     4.5      COCORAHS

...LAUDERDALE COUNTY...
ROGERSVILLE         0.7      BROADCAST MEDIA
ANDERSON            2.0      COOP

...LAWRENCE COUNTY...
MOULTON             1.5      EMERGENCY MGMT

...LIMESTONE COUNTY...
EAST ATHENS         1.0      NWS EMPLOYEE
EAST LIMESTONE      2.0      PUBLIC
5 E ATHENS          2.0      COCORAHS

...LINCOLN COUNTY...
FAYETTEVILLE        2.0      COOP

...MADISON COUNTY...
MADISON             1.0      NWS EMPLOYEE
5 SSW HARVEST       1.1      COCORAHS
1 NNE MADISON       1.2      COCORAHS
4 E HARVEST         1.3      PUBLIC
4 ENE HUNTSVILLE    1.5      COCORAHS
3 NE HARVEST        2.0      PUBLIC
4 SE TONEY          2.8      COCORAHS
HSV MOUNTAIN        3.0      PUBLIC

...MARSHALL COUNTY...
GUNTERSVILLE        0.9      COOP
5 WNW ALBERTVILLE   1.5      COCORAHS
UNION GROVE         2.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
2 ENE GUNTERSVILLE  2.0      COCORAHS
2 SW GUNTERSVILLE   2.8      COCORAHS
GRANT               3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
ALBERTVILLE         3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT
ARAB                3.0      EMERGENCY MGMT

$

BCC

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Snowy Morning in North Alabama

7:40 West Point School, Cullman County. (By Joe Wilhelm)


6:57 NW Cullman County (By Lisa Brock).


7 a.m. Meridianville, AL (By Sharon Saunders).

A few snowfall reports from the NWS:

6 inches of snow measured on Lookout Mountain - Mentone (Dekalb). Pics
3 inches of snow measured over Huntsville Mountain on Hwy 431 (Madison).
3 inches of snow measured at Arab (Marshall).
3 inches of snow measured at Grant (Marshall).
3 inches of snow measured at Albertville (Marshall).
2.5 inches of snow measured in Scrougeout (Etowah).
2.5 inches of snow measured in Noccalula Falls (Etowah).
2.2 inches of snow measured in Wynnville (Blount).
2 inches of snow measured at Union Grove (Marshall).
2 inches of snow measured in Little River Canyon (Dekalb).
2 inches of snow measured on Mount Cheaha (Cleburne).
2 inches of snow measured in Fort Payne (Dekalb).
2 inches of snow measured in Toney (Madison).
2 inches of snow measured in East Limestone - Capshaw Rd (Limestone).
2 inches of snow measured in Rogersville (Lauderdale).
1.5 inches of snow measured in Moulton (Lawrence).
1 inch of snow measured in Weaver (Calhoun).
1 inch of snow measured in Athens (Limestone).

Here are a few pictures that I took between 7 and 7:15 am in Huntsville:










More pics from James Spann's viewers at ABC 33/40
...

Winter Storm Warning - Marshall/Dekalb

Pink-WS Warning / Purple Winter Wx Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HUNTSVILLE AL
247 PM CST MON MAR 1 2010

...SNOW EXPECTED OVERNIGHT INTO TUESDAY...

.A STORM SYSTEM PASSING TO THE SOUTH OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY WILL COMBINE WITH COLD AIR MOVING IN FROM THE NORTH. THIS WILL ALLOW A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW TO MOVE IN AFTER MIDNIGHT...CHANGING TO ALL SNOW BY DAYBREAK ON TUESDAY.

MARSHALL-DEKALB-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GUNTERSVILLE...FORT PAYNE
247 PM CST MON MAR 1 2010

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HUNTSVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 6PM CST TUESDAY.

SNOW IS EXPECTED...ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING HOURS...ON TUESDAY. WITH TEMPERATURES VERY CLOSE TO FREEZING...ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED ESPECIALLY ON ELEVATED SURFACES AND GRASSY AREAS. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION OF TWO TO THREE INCHES IS POSSIBLE IN MARSHALL AND DEKALB COUNTIES...ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS. SOME LOCATIONS AT LOWER ELEVATIONS MAY SEE LESS THAN TWO INCHES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

...