From Our PM Weatherfax

This is the text of the discussion part of this afternoon’s Weatherfax. I did not mention specific amounts. I am a little uncomfortable doing that this far out. But watch for the PM discussion from James that will be posted very soon.
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ANOTHER SNOW EVENT: The snow we had yesterday and last evening was pretty much a teaser, but it sent the excitement through the roof across Alabama. I have never seen anything like it. Maybe it is an age factor with me.

Now we must face another snow situation and this one looks to be more significant. If things fall into place like we believe, there will likely be some travel problems over North and Central Alabama when you crawl out of bed Saturday morning.

A low-pressure area will form over the North Gulf of Mexico. It should be centered south of Pensacola by daybreak Saturday. This will spread a lot of moisture inland. Meanwhile, cold arctic air will be pushing south from the middle of the country with the cold front entering North Alabama early Saturday morning.

It is difficult to try to ascertain how much accumulation this early in the game or exactly where the best chance would be. It does appear that the north half of Alabama will be in a snow situation. There may be lesser amounts across the Tennessee Valley and more across the central part of the state. In fact, it is possible that it could be a bit heavier south of Birmingham than north.

In any event, we should get several inches. One of our weather models does not paint quite as gloomy a picture.

The time window for the snow across this part of Alabama should be late Friday night, maybe even after midnight and extending through Saturday morning. With a north wind gusting as high as 25 mph at times, the temperature will stay in the 30s all day Saturday. Our coldest temperature will come Sunday morning with an average low across the I-20 corridor of about 18. A warming trend will start on Monday and we might even have a slight chance of some light rain Monday and Monday night.

If you have lived in the Deep South for any length of time, you already know that snow forecasting is not an exact science. In fact, it is that way all over the country. Meteorologists in such places as Chicago, Boston and New York can be way off track in their predictions at times. Maybe we can be more specific in estimating how many inches we will get later tonight or tomorrow morning.

THE WORLD AROUND US: The official snow survey this morning showed that 45% of the lower 48 states had a snow cover. One month ago on this date, there was a 57% cover. In the remote high country of the west, a sample amount this morning was 199 inches on the ground at Dark Horse Lake, Montana, elevation 8,944 feet. The coldest temperature in the USA this morning was 35 below at both Gunnison, Colorado and Arctic Village, Alaska. The wind chill was 51 below at good old Deadhorse.

MY TINY CORNER OF THE WORLD: That was horrible to see that recent news report about an alligator pulling three dogs into the water in South Florida and making a meal out of them. I cannot even imagine watching that. If alligators ever get as far north as the upper reaches of the Cahaba River, I will leave Trussville and head to North Dakota. I am even more afraid of a gator than lightning. Of course, I would take Little Miss Molly and the majority owner with me. Another day with no playtime with Molly. She lets me know it with her looks. I feel guilty, but life goes on

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