Weather Outlook for 4/14/2011 & SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE FOR TOMORROW

Well, what we feared may happen Friday is looking more and more like a certainty with each passing hour. The NWS is expecting a "tornado outbreak" similar to those you only hear about from "old-timers". Here in West Alabama we've been fortunate over the past decade or so by not having to deal with an outbreak scenario. All of us who have been in Tuscaloosa for quite some time remember the catastrophic F-4 Tornado that wreaked havoc in the Hillcrest/Taylorville/Bear Creek area on December 16, 2000. There were numerous fatalities, injuries and unfathomable property damage. Those who lived through it will never forget that day. (Note: I'm aware that there have been other tornadoes that have been as catastrophic, if not more, as the Dec. 16th tornado). Here's the link to the footage from our friends at ABC 33/40 of that fateful day:

All that being said, I hope and pray that you will take tomorrow seriously. We are being faced with another grave weather outbreak.

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS(AS OF 1400)
Temp: 77*F
Sunny
Wind: SSE ~6MPH
Dew Point: 47*

TOMORROW(FRIDAY 4/15/11)

SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED. STRONG TORNADOES, HAIL, DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL ARE ALL EXPECTED. There is a Sugarland Concert on tap for tomorrow evening at the New Tuscaloosa Ampitheater and it's race weekend at Talladega Superspeedway in East Alabama. Now, the Sugarland Concert will most likely be rescheduled due to the incoming severe weather. You can check here for updates: http://twitter.com/#!/TuscaloosaAmp The race on Saturday should go on as planned contingent on track conditions. The main concern is for the large number of people camping outside the track. If you're heading out to Talladega, please insure that you have somewhere to go should severe weather threaten the area. It's also A-Day weekend for UA, so there will be a lot of people in town for those activities starting tomorrow. Make sure you have access to up to date weather information throughout the day tomorrow. Current models are showing that storms could begin firing up in West Alabama as early as 10am, then the main squall line is set to come through between the hours of 3PM and 6PM. Strong Tornadoes are a threat throughout the day tomorrow. Make sure you are watching the weather and planning accordingly. Here is the NWS prediction graphic for Tornadoes with tomorrow's system:

Our crew will be at the Tuscaloosa County EMA office tomorrow as soon as a watch is issued for our area. We will be bringing you updates as soon as they are made available. Tune into our Twitter account at www.twitter.com/UAMS1 or pay attention to this blog.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email us at bamauams@yahoo.com or call 205-347-5664 and leave a message with your name and number and one of us will return your email or call ASAP.

Stay safe!

PAR