WBRC Weather

Fascinating detail of storms Mon night BHM

The above radar picture shows the line of storms that came through BHM late Monday evening.  Notice the darker blue in the ground clutter (mainly insects), indicating where cold outflow from the storms, or likely atmospheric waves, are lifting more bugs into the radar beam.  Further evidence for waves is shown by the clear areas right behind the leading bands...indicating downward motion (the back side of the wave) pushing the insects back down near the ground, out of the radar beam.

Dr. Tim Coleman

UAH Research Meteorologist

Fox 6 Severe Weather Expert and Blogger

Follow me on twitter @timbhm

Partly Cloudy, Getting Warmer

Look for partly cloudy skies in today's forecast with afternoon temperatures pushing close to 90-degrees.  A ridge of high pressure is expected to begin building in across the southeastern United States as we head into Memorial Day weekend. 

Temperatures are expected to climb into the low to mid 90s over the next few days.

Next Tuesday our ridge of high pressure will likely weaken to the point where we could see scattered showers to begin developing in the heat of the afternoon.  Scattered showers remain in the forecast for Wednesday into Thursday.

In the meantime, enjoy the great outdoors!

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Ozone Alert - What Does it Mean?

This time of year and mainly around larger cities you start hearing the words "Air Quality Alert".  But, what does that mean?  Usually this is because of high levels of tropospheric ozone.  Ozone is also known as O3.  It's a bit different than oxygen because it is actually harmful to tissues of animals and plants.  It can cause some major breathing difficulties - especially to the elderly, the very young, or those that are sick.

You may have heard ozone is a good thing.  It is when it's found in the stratosphere, but in the troposphere which is the layer of the atmosphere where we live - it's bad. 

In the stratosphere - it is the ozone layer that helps protect us from the harmful radiation emitted by the sun.

But, why does ozone form close to the ground?  It's partially our fault.  Since 1900, the amount of atmospheric ozone has more than doubled.  This is because there are more people living in our heavily industrialized society.  Tropospheric ozone is formed by the interaction of sunlight, particularly ultraviolet light, with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by automobiles, gasoline vapors, fossil fuel power plants, refineries, and certain other industries.  Violatile Organic Compounds of VOCs react with Nitrous Oxide gases in the atmosphere as well as sunlight and O3 is the result.

Ozone levels are highest from May through September when the temperatures are hotter and we are receiving more sunlight.  The O3 is formed from a photochemical reaction.  It is especially bad when we get an inversion layer in the atmosphere and there is very little movement of air.  Inversions are also very common during the Summer months.  You can think of an inversion like a "cap" on the lowest levels of the atmosphere.

If you have breathing difficulties - it is best to stay indoors when levels are high.  We are also encourage to avoid idling our engines for long periods of time (good luck on Hwy 280).  It's also not a good idea when we have Ozone Alerts to fill our gas tanks because of the vapors released.

James-Paul Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: jpdice_Fox6

Mostly Sunny Skies Today

Look for mostly sunny skies in today's forecast.  Highs are expected to make it into the mid-80s this afternoon.  As we head into Thursday and then the extended holiday weekend, a ridge of high pressure should give us dry days and nights and toasty temperature readings.  Look for afternoon highs to make it into the low 90s for Thursday through Tuesday of next week.

By next Tuesday, the ridge is expected to begin breaking down.  Memorial Day Monday calls for only a 10-percent chance of showers.  Rain chance percentages increase gradually through midweek.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Beach Forecast Looks Mainly Dry

If you're heading down to the Gulf Coast this weekend the forecast looks mainly sunny for the weekend.  We'll see a good chance of rain return to the forecast by late Monday.  At least most of our Memorial Day weekend will be dry for beachgoers.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: jpdice_Fox6

Air Quality Alert - Jefferson and Shelby Counties

THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (ADEM) HAS ISSUED
A CODE ORANGE AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR JEFFERSON AND SHELBY COUNTIES
FOR WEDNESDAY...MAY 23 2012.

UNDER CODE ORANGE CONDITIONS...GROUND LEVEL OZONE CONCENTRATIONS ARE
EXPECTED TO REACH LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE
GROUPS.  CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA...ARE INDIVIDUALS MOST AT
RISK UNDER THESE EXPECTED CONDITIONS.

ADEM RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS DURING AN OZONE ALERT DAY...

CONSERVE ELECTRICITY AND SET YOUR AIR CONDITIONER AT A HIGHER
TEMPERATURE.

LIMIT DRIVING AND COMBINE ERRANDS.

USE THE BUS OR CARPOOL TO WORK.

AVOID USE OF GASOLINE POWERED LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT.

REFUEL CARS AND TRUCKS AFTER 6 PM.

LIMIT ENGINE IDLING.

USE HOUSEHOLD...WORKSHOP...AND GARDEN CHEMICALS IN WAYS THAT KEEP
EVAPORATION TO A MINIMUM...OR TRY TO AVOID USING THEM WHEN POOR AIR
QUALITY IS FORECAST.

IF BREATHING BECOMES DIFFICULT...MOVE INDOORS.

Tuesday PM Discussion: Mainly Dry With Rising Temperatures

After the second wave of storms marched across our area last night, we ended up with some measurable rain area-wide. While we could use more rain, we'll certainly take what we can get. A few sprinkles or a stray shower can't be ruled out this afternoon. You can expect clearing tonight, with lows in the upper 50s.

The chance for rain looks very slim over the coming days thanks to a building ridge. A warm core high will build-in, with temperatures rising into the lower 90s. Other than early morning fog, look for lots of sunshine each day. A few fair weather cumulus clouds may develop in the afternoon hours and linger into the early evening.

The hot temperatures later this week could spark a stray shower or thunderstorm over the weekend. We’re going to mention a very small chance of rain in the weekend forecast. Most areas will remain dry however a rogue shower or thunderstorm may develop during the afternoons. If an isolated storm does develop it could be quite strong or severe with lighting, hail, and high winds. J-P will have the next live update on Fox 6 News at 5. This will also stream on our Fox6 Weather App and at foxalabamalive.com. 

Fox 6 Meteorologist Wes Wyatt
Twitter @ weswyattweather

Fox 6 Visits Vestavia Hills Elementary Central

The kids were super excited out at Vestavia Elementary Central today because it is their last week of school. While they were excited about summer break, the students did say they would miss their classmates and teachers.

Special thanks to Mrs. Lorie Belskie, Kay Puller, and Adriane Smith for the invite and thanks for the wonderful cake! I have some video from the visit posted on my facebook page. Check it out at facebook.com/weswyattfox6.

Fox6 Meteorologist Wes Wyatt

twitter @weswyattweather

Rain, Storms Move East

After a cold front brought strong thunderstorms our way overnight, look for clearing skies and cooler air by this afternoon.  Temps are expected to top out in the low 80s today.

Get ready for several back to back days of dry weather with clear to partly cloudy skies.  Our atmosphere should really begin heating up by Thursday.  Thursday through the weekend look for highs in the low 90s as a ridge of high pressure should give us a very Summerlike start to the unofficial beginning of Summer--Memorial Day Weekend.

Mickey Ferguson, FOX6 Weather

Storms Are Finally Weakening....

The atmosphere has stablized enough for the thunderstorms to weaken considerably.  We could still see a few storms produce small hail, but for the most part the threat overnight will be cloud to ground lightning.

We've had reports of numerous trees down in Hueytown and Oak Grove.  The wind gust in Hueytown reached 60mph.  Weather Watcher David Clifford reported wind gusts ar0und 30mph in Bessemer.  At the Shelby County Airport the wind reached over 40mph.

Jennifer Lynn Morning sent me this picture of hail on her back deck.


You can always share your pictures at pix@wbrc.com.

J-P Dice
Fox 6 Chief Meteorologist
jdice@wbrc.com
Twitter: jpdice_Fox6