Wind, Rain, Snow, Cold…. Christmas In Alabama!

An all new edition of the ABC 33/40 Weather Xtreme video is available in the player below. You can subscribe to the Weather Xtreme video on iTunes by clicking here.

CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE: Anybody remember the song by the group Alabama?

“By now in New York City.
There’s snow on the ground.
And out in California.
The sunshines’ falling down.
And maybe down in Memphis, Graceland’s all in lights.
And in Atlanta, Georgia, there’s peace on earth tonight.

Christmas in Dixie, its snowing in the pines.
Merry Christmas from Dixie to everyone tonight.”

My favorite line is at the end, when they say…

“And from Fort Payne, Alabama..Merry Christmas tonight.”

BUSY WEATHER MAP: I went ahead and cranked out a bonus Weather Xtreme video since there is so much going on; take the 7 minutes to watch it and all of your questions should be answers. Let’s focus on our big issues tonight and tomorrow morning…

WIND: This is my greatest concern. Pressure gradient winds of 20 to 40 mph are likely for the next 12 hours, mostly out of the east/southeast. With rain continuing to fall over East Alabama, and lots of rain on the way for the entire state tonight, I am fearful we will have downed trees and power lines in scattered spots. As we have suggested, be sure and secure anything that might blow away, including Christmas decorations. And, be ready in case the power goes out tonight. The NWS in Huntsville continues a high wind warning for their counties up in the Tennessee Valley.

RAIN: Rain amounts of 1 to 2 inches are likely, with isolated amounts to 3 inches. We don’t expect widespread flooding problems, but some localized issues are not out of the question. Keep an eye on water levels if you live in a flood prone area.

STORMS: SPC maintains a slight risk of severe thunderstorms through tonight for areas generally south of a line from Tuscaloosa to Columbiana to Roanoke. With the warm front still near Gulfport, I honestly don’t think there is any way we can get in the warm sector tonight. But, there will be elevated storms, and it won’t take much to bring high winds down to the surface in downdrafts. And, of course, when it comes to thunderstorms, expect the unexpected. We will keep a close eye on the radar tonight.

A tornado watch remains in effect for 6:00 p.m. for much of Central and South Mississippi. No tornado warnings over there in recent hours.

SNOW: We will mention snow flurries for most of North Alabama tomorrow morning, generally along and north of I-20. The 12Z model set doesn’t really show much, but a dusting is possible up around Muscle Shoals. Nothing more than flurries for the Birmingham metro. But again, you know how strange things can happen with snow around here. We will be watching with great interest tomorrow morning; be sure and peek out the window as the family opens their gifts to see if you have snow flakes in your neighborhood.

COLD: We will hover around 40 all day tomorrow; the weekend remains chilly with highs in the 40s. MOS products remain too warm. They have been pretty much useless beyond 24 hours in recent weeks.

VOODOO LAND: The pattern remains cold and unsettled for the next several weeks. If you don’t see snow flakes tomorrow morning, more than likely you will have multiple opportunities through mid-January. The New Year’s weekend looks very interesting; see the Weather Xtreme video for more info.

I will be working the TV side tonight, and we will keep the blog fresh with updated information on this windy and wet weather. Be safe, and have a blessed Christmas….

Category: Uncategorized