Sunday, September 25, 2011

Severe Weather Potential Tonight and Tomorrow

Heads up, West Alabama. Tonight as a front pushes through, we can expect some thunderstorms within a squall line. This line isn't expected until later tonight. However, the NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch to our west including much of Mississippi, Tennessee, and parts of Arkansas.  Severe storms require instability to be present in the atmosphere. Instability is caused by warm air masses usually fed by daytime heating. Because the storms are expected to roll through tonight, we lose a lot of the day time heating by the time the storms arrive; therefore, the storms will be weaker and less structured. HOWEVER, we will maintain a slight, very slight, risk for severe thunderstorms tonight that are unlikely to produce tornadoes. Tomorrow leads to a different story. Tomorrow we will face a greater possibility of severe weather than this evening. Day time heating will feed the instability, setting the stage for severe weather to develop. The NWS SPC will not issue a watch area until they feel that one is necessary, so do not be surprised if you do not hear of a watch until tomorrow morning/midday.

We will be monitoring the system throughout the evening tonight and day tomorrow, and will keep you updated as weather unfolds. If you would like to join our email alert system, please email us at bamauams@gmail.com and tell us you'd like updates. We currently email 115+ people as weather occurs.

Visit our website and monitor our Twitter for updates.

PAR

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Rain, Rain, Rain, Oh and More Rain...

If you look out your window this morning, you'll notice what I'm talking about. Rain. As the song goes, "Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey, whiskey makes my ....". Is rain really a good "thang"? Normally, I would agree, but given the current soil saturation and our minimal rain deficit for the year, I'm going with a negative. Local flooding is possible today thru Thursday with the extensive amounts of consistent rain and completely saturated soil. Use Extreme Caution when traveling, as water is already puddling on roadways in Tuscaloosa. Here's what you can expect for the rest of the week!

TODAY
Currently 68*F, Rain. Wind ESE at 5MPH.

Rain will be wrapping up here within the hour, then we'll have a break until about 5pm this evening, when scattered Thunderstorms enter the area. They'll last most of the night. Not expecting anything severe.

REST OF THE WEEK
Wednesday: Isolated Thunderstorms most of the day. High of 86*F, Overnight Low of 64*F. Sunrise at 0637 CST.

Thursday: Isolated Thunderstorms most of the day. High of 86*F, Overnight Low of 61*F. Sunrise at 0638 CST.

Friday: Partly Cloudy. High of 81*F, Overnight Low of 54*F. Sunrise at 0639 CST.

WEEKEND
Saturday: Partly Cloudy. High of 82*F, Overnight Low of 57*F. Sunrise at 0640 CST.

Sunday: ***Same as Saturday***

Keep an eye on the road if you must travel.

Send us an email to bamauams@gmail.com if you would like severe weather updates via email.

Visit our Website and follow us on Twitter!

PAR

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Cooler Weather Here to Stay! (For a little while atleast)

Noticeably cooler today. Mostly cloudy with a current temp of 71*F(as of 1321). Not expecting any rain from now until Monday.

Tomorrow we'll creep back into the lower 80s as we see mostly sunny skies. Saturday and Sunday see highs of 85*F both days with partly cloudy skies.

Monday introduces our next rain chance as the models are currently showing a slight chance of Isolated Thunderstorms, but we'll keep an eye on it and bring you updates as they become available.

Heading to the UA vs. North Texas game at Bryant-Denny Saturday? Here's what you can expect (as forecasted by our friend at ABC 33/40, James Spann): Alabama will host North Texas Saturday night in Tuscaloosa (6:30 p.m. kickoff)… the sky will be mostly fair with a kickoff temperature near 78 degrees. Temperatures will drop into the 60s by the fourth quarter with a light north breeze.

Interested in joining UAMS? Join us at our first meeting of the semester tonight at 7pm in the 2nd Floor Study room at Gorgas Library! Look for our crest in the window.

Want email updates before severe weather strikes? Send an email to bamauams@yahoo.com explaining that you'd like updates. We do not send emails constantly unless severe weather threatens the UA Campus or Tuscaloosa area.

Sub Divo!
PAR

Sunday, September 11, 2011

The Week Ahead (9/12/11-9/16/11)

Relatively quiet this week. Warming trend continues as we work towards highs in the lower 90s. Thursday brings our next chance at showers/storms and cooler temps. Nothing severe, simply widespread showers. GFS Models lead us to believe that the next big cool down will be here on the 21st.

We'll keep you posted throughout the week as new developments occur.

Sub  Divo!
PAR

Saturday, September 3, 2011

TS Lee And What it Means for us...

Ladies and Gentlemen, the first gulf tropical storm is impending landfall at this hour. The NWS is expecting storm surge of 3-5 feet above normal along the Louisiana Gulf Coast. There is also a great risk of rip currents, so be advised.

WEST ALABAMA
With Lee set to make landfall within the next hour or so, we can expect heavy rains, gusty winds, and a chance of tornadoes beginning tomorrow afternoon. The NWS in Birmingham has placed much of Central and West Alabama under a Flash Flood watch until Tuesday the 6th. A Flash Flood watch means that conditions will be favorable during the watch period for fast rising waters that could threaten life and property. Remember: Turn around, Don't drown. Many flood deaths come from motorists who press their luck and attempt to drive through flood areas. Don't become a statistic.

Tornado threat: After viewing Dr. Greg Forbes' TOR:CON Index, we have been placed between a Low and Moderate risk for tornadoes for Sunday, and at a definite Moderate risk for Monday. Often times with tropical storms and hurricanes, spin-off tornadoes become a threat following landfall. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather throughout the next few days.

UA Students: Fortunately, the University is closed Monday in observance of Labor Day, so you won't have to worry about trudging to class in the rain. However, make certain that you have access to current, up to date weather information. If you didn't come see us at Get On Board day and would like to join our E-Mail list for severe weather updates pertaining to campus, visit us at our Home Site. Fill out the contact form and explain that you would like to be notified whenever weather threatens our area, and we'll add you to the list.

UAMS Storm Chaser Division Activation may be required tomorrow afternoon. We are currently monitoring the weather situation and will do so throughout the overnight hours and will keep you up to date.

Check us out on Twitter or at our Webpage.

Sub Divo!
PAR