We will be neglecting our Twitter and Blog during Spring Break. We will post one last Tweet Forecast tonight at 9pm, and will resume normal operations on Sunday March 18th. If for some unforeseen reason severe weather threatens Tuscaloosa/West Alabama, we will post updates until the event is over. I know a lot of you are heading home or to the beach, a handful of us will be in Tuscaloosa all break to keep an eye out, but please be safe in your travels and enjoy your break!
It's looking like it could be a wet next couple of days, so please exercise caution during travel.
Have a great SB2012!
PAR
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Why You Should Be Weather Aware...
While we were heading to Florence, AL yesterday, I was updating our Twitter and checking Radar and STP readings when I noticed a Tweet from a student that went a long the lines of "They say lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice, so Tornadoes don't either right?". Wrong. I do NOT say this to insult her intelligence, so please do not mistake my intentions here. Nowhere in the science of meteorology does it say, "Tornadoes will not strike in the same location twice". For example, a family in Harvest, AL (North of Huntsville) lost their home... again... yesterday, not even a year after the devastating EF-5 that claimed their first home on April 27, 2011. Another interesting Tweet that definitely perturbed me the night before yesterday was one from @UA_Lately to the tune of "EF-5's are gonna hit Tuscaloosa!!! FYI 4/27 was a EF-4..". I appreciate her candor for keeping students/her followers informed BUT you have GOT to be careful as to how you word things. Most everyone knows the EMA tests tornado sirens at noon the first Wednesday of every month, and I cannot tell you how many times I get on our Twitter/Facebook and see comments from everyone about how they are physically struck with fear by the sirens, even though it's a test. SO... it's ok to pass on weather information to friends, family, and strangers, but please go about it carefully. The last thing we need is for chaos to ensue. Yes, the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK boosted their confidence for the potential of tornadoes to form in and around West Alabama... BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. That's weather. That's the fight that we, along with every meteorologist in the field, take on every time severe weather is a possibility. We want you to be informed, but at the same time we don't want to cause chaos OR apathy. It's synonymous with the old parable of the boy who cried wolf... You do it too many times, and people will cease to believe you. Please, do not lose faith in us as we are staring down the barrel of what COULD be one of the more active severe weather seasons in many years for the Southeast. Again, I'm not trying to cause fear, weather is a GOOD thing. Lightning cleans the air and rain renews the soil. This is weather. This is life. This we cannot change. But we can act. We can be prepared. We can minimize the impact severe weather has on our community. I cannot tell you how fortunate West Alabama, specifically Tuscaloosa, was yesterday. We dodged major bullets, while our neighbors to the north were not as fortunate. The blessing behind yesterday's system was that it came during the day when 95% of people are awake and vigilant versus night time storms when most are asleep and not monitoring the weather.
Here are some interesting facts pertaining to how people are beginning to prepare:
-Hueytown's Wal Mart sold out of bicycle helmets yesterday.
-Best Buy in Tuscaloosa sold out of NOAA weather radios yesterday.
-People across the state took to the airwaves monitoring the weather via TV, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
-Our Twitter followers have SKYROCKETED over the past week or two.
The time to prepare is NOW. What are you doing to ensure your safety if severe weather threatens our area?
Ways you can prepare:
1. Follow our Twitter.
2. Like us on Facebook. (If you don't have a Twitter account, our Facebook page is linked to our Twitter and posts our Twitter updates as they're posted on Twitter.)
3. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio (and install batteries in case the power goes out)!!!!! Most important way to get weather information. You can find them at Wal Mart, Best Buy, Rite Aid, Publix, etc. If you buy one, email us and we will program it for you so you only receive updates for our area.
4. Purchase the Weather Radio app for your iPhone or Droid
5. Have a Severe Weather Safety plan in place. Know where to go and what to do when you receive the warning. (Lowest floor, most interior bathroom or closet away from windows and exterior doors)
6. Put together a Severe Weather Safety kit. Flashlights, batteries, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), First-Aid supplies, medical information, prescription medications, emergency contact info, etc. If you have children, let them help you put this kit together. It'll be fun for the whole family, and will also instill the importance of preparation within them. Don't discount the knowledge and understanding of a child.
7. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan and where the kit is located.
Fortunately, the week ahead is showing no signs of severe weather. So we're catching a breather, BUT prepare for what the rest of the season has to hold.The entire month of March 2011 had 75 tornado reports in Alabama, so far in March 2012 we have had over 100... and it's only the 3rd day of the month.
I love the great state of Alabama. You will NEVER find people more resilient, benevolent and down right kind, anywhere on the face this earth. We're going to get through this severe weather season like we have every one before this one. Prepare today for tomorrow.
God Bless.
PAR
Here are some interesting facts pertaining to how people are beginning to prepare:
-Hueytown's Wal Mart sold out of bicycle helmets yesterday.
-Best Buy in Tuscaloosa sold out of NOAA weather radios yesterday.
-People across the state took to the airwaves monitoring the weather via TV, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
-Our Twitter followers have SKYROCKETED over the past week or two.
The time to prepare is NOW. What are you doing to ensure your safety if severe weather threatens our area?
Ways you can prepare:
1. Follow our Twitter.
2. Like us on Facebook. (If you don't have a Twitter account, our Facebook page is linked to our Twitter and posts our Twitter updates as they're posted on Twitter.)
3. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio (and install batteries in case the power goes out)!!!!! Most important way to get weather information. You can find them at Wal Mart, Best Buy, Rite Aid, Publix, etc. If you buy one, email us and we will program it for you so you only receive updates for our area.
4. Purchase the Weather Radio app for your iPhone or Droid
5. Have a Severe Weather Safety plan in place. Know where to go and what to do when you receive the warning. (Lowest floor, most interior bathroom or closet away from windows and exterior doors)
6. Put together a Severe Weather Safety kit. Flashlights, batteries, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), First-Aid supplies, medical information, prescription medications, emergency contact info, etc. If you have children, let them help you put this kit together. It'll be fun for the whole family, and will also instill the importance of preparation within them. Don't discount the knowledge and understanding of a child.
7. Make sure everyone in the household knows the plan and where the kit is located.
Fortunately, the week ahead is showing no signs of severe weather. So we're catching a breather, BUT prepare for what the rest of the season has to hold.The entire month of March 2011 had 75 tornado reports in Alabama, so far in March 2012 we have had over 100... and it's only the 3rd day of the month.
I love the great state of Alabama. You will NEVER find people more resilient, benevolent and down right kind, anywhere on the face this earth. We're going to get through this severe weather season like we have every one before this one. Prepare today for tomorrow.
God Bless.
PAR
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Preparing for Friday (SEVERE WEATHER COMING 3/2)
Spring Severe Weather season in Dixie Alley is upon us. The first real outbreak for our area will roll in tomorrow. Here's what we think:
FRIDAY (3/2)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Mother nature appears to be throwing all cards on the table tomorrow. The STP (significant tornado parameter) looks very impressive for our area suggesting that tornadoes will more than likely be present tomorrow. Not to mention hail, damaging winds, lightning, downpours that will cause flooding... You name it. The term outbreak as well as "long track/significant tornadoes"... Any time the National Weather Service mentions those two words, especially in the same breath, you better take it seriously.
Below is a graphic of the threat levels for each aspect of the event tomorrow:
TIMING
Our severe weather threat will begin noon and will last into the early morning hours Saturday. The main tornado threat will last from noon until 10pm Friday night, with a squall line falling in behind the front cells with its timing rolling in here around 10pm and lasting until 3am Saturday. Of course, once the squall line passes through Tuscaloosa, our severe weather threat will be over, as the front passes through.
PREPARATION
You will need to be prepared for tomorrow evening, no doubt in my mind. Here are some ways to prepare:
1. Make sure you have a way to receive weather information at all hours of the night!!! Follow us on Twitter. We update our Twitter in the field as soon as watches/warnings come out, or we notice updates that need to be made. Sign up for SAF-T-Net. This program is totally free, and is very good. I speak from experience.
2. Have a flashlight ready!
3. Know where your safe place is should we go Tornado warned (Lowest floor, away from exterior walls and doors and windows, preferably a bathroom). Talk to your RA if you have any questions.
4. Make sure your cell phone is charged. That is how many of you receive your information.
OTHER NOTES
We will obviously be out in the field all day tomorrow and all night bringing you up-to-date information as it occurs. If you would like to watch our chase, please go here. Once we go online, you'll be able to see exactly what we see. We will go live as soon as weather begins to threaten the area. ***We did have some issues with streaming last night while we were testing it, but hopefully we have the kinks worked out.
Hang in there, we're gonna get through tomorrow together!
PAR
FRIDAY (3/2)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Mother nature appears to be throwing all cards on the table tomorrow. The STP (significant tornado parameter) looks very impressive for our area suggesting that tornadoes will more than likely be present tomorrow. Not to mention hail, damaging winds, lightning, downpours that will cause flooding... You name it. The term outbreak as well as "long track/significant tornadoes"... Any time the National Weather Service mentions those two words, especially in the same breath, you better take it seriously.
Below is a graphic of the threat levels for each aspect of the event tomorrow:
TIMING
Our severe weather threat will begin noon and will last into the early morning hours Saturday. The main tornado threat will last from noon until 10pm Friday night, with a squall line falling in behind the front cells with its timing rolling in here around 10pm and lasting until 3am Saturday. Of course, once the squall line passes through Tuscaloosa, our severe weather threat will be over, as the front passes through.
PREPARATION
You will need to be prepared for tomorrow evening, no doubt in my mind. Here are some ways to prepare:
1. Make sure you have a way to receive weather information at all hours of the night!!! Follow us on Twitter. We update our Twitter in the field as soon as watches/warnings come out, or we notice updates that need to be made. Sign up for SAF-T-Net. This program is totally free, and is very good. I speak from experience.
2. Have a flashlight ready!
3. Know where your safe place is should we go Tornado warned (Lowest floor, away from exterior walls and doors and windows, preferably a bathroom). Talk to your RA if you have any questions.
4. Make sure your cell phone is charged. That is how many of you receive your information.
OTHER NOTES
We will obviously be out in the field all day tomorrow and all night bringing you up-to-date information as it occurs. If you would like to watch our chase, please go here. Once we go online, you'll be able to see exactly what we see. We will go live as soon as weather begins to threaten the area. ***We did have some issues with streaming last night while we were testing it, but hopefully we have the kinks worked out.
Hang in there, we're gonna get through tomorrow together!
PAR
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