Check out some upcoming glances at our International Space Station. It is visible with the naked eye soaring across the sky. It moves pretty fast, with a total transit across the sky in about 2 minutes.
Date - Satellite - Time - Dir. to look - Transit time - Max elev. - Mag.
05/26/2009 ISS 09:30:55 pm NNW 09:33:14 41.2 -3.0
05/28/2009 ISS 08:46:47 pm NNW 08:49:07 47.5 -3.2
05/29/2009 ISS 09:12:25 pm WNW 09:14:35 32.5 -2.4
05/30/2009 ISS 08:02:34 pm NNW 08:04:56 53.8 -3.5
Current Conditions
Southeast Radar & Satellite Loop
Severe Weather Messages
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Dodging Showers Again...
What a wet weekend. Though not a total washout, you had to spend your outdoor time looking up over your shoulder checking for the next down pour. Measured 1.02" of rain over the holiday weekend, in case your keeping up.
More scattered showers and cloudy skies on tap for today and probably through Thursday. A moist airmass is in place across Alabama and looks to stay put until weeks end. Look for highs in the low 80's and overnight temps in the 60's.
On the positive side, we note a good chance for a dry upcoming weekend. Haven't had one of those in a while. Sunny skies should be the story Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with highs in the low to mid 80's and cooler nights.
More scattered showers and cloudy skies on tap for today and probably through Thursday. A moist airmass is in place across Alabama and looks to stay put until weeks end. Look for highs in the low 80's and overnight temps in the 60's.
On the positive side, we note a good chance for a dry upcoming weekend. Haven't had one of those in a while. Sunny skies should be the story Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with highs in the low to mid 80's and cooler nights.
Monday, May 18, 2009
What is that, the Sun?
Sunshine is back in full force today after a chilly start. I recorded 49F this am after a nasty wet and cold day yesterday.
Temperatures today should top out only about 72F, then we will be in the upper 40's again tonight. Some areas could flirt with record lows tonight (44F 1973).
Clear skies stay with us till at least Wednesday. After that, we probably see a mix of clouds and sun as a low pressure system forms on the Florida peninsula and moisture feeds in from the south.
At this point, as moisture increases, look for rain chances Thursday - Sunday to increase.
Low 70's Tuesday, with upper 70's Wednesday.
Temperatures today should top out only about 72F, then we will be in the upper 40's again tonight. Some areas could flirt with record lows tonight (44F 1973).
Clear skies stay with us till at least Wednesday. After that, we probably see a mix of clouds and sun as a low pressure system forms on the Florida peninsula and moisture feeds in from the south.
At this point, as moisture increases, look for rain chances Thursday - Sunday to increase.
Low 70's Tuesday, with upper 70's Wednesday.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Hubble Undergoing Repairs
HUBBLE SERVICE CALL: Yesterday, astronauts onboard space shuttle Atlantis used a robotic arm to grab the Hubble Space Telescope and guide it into the shuttle's cargo bay for servicing. During the procedure, they snapped this picture showing the great telescope up-close for the first time since March 2002:
The capture of Hubble sets the stage for five spacewalks in as many days. The first commences on May 14th at 8:16 a.m. EDT when astronauts will remove Hubble's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 and replace it with the new Wide Field Camera 3. They will also replace a failed science data processing computer. These upgrades and others are expected to extend Hubble's life until 2014.
Atlantis (with Hubble in tow) is visible to the naked eye when it passes overhead in the night sky.
The capture of Hubble sets the stage for five spacewalks in as many days. The first commences on May 14th at 8:16 a.m. EDT when astronauts will remove Hubble's Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 and replace it with the new Wide Field Camera 3. They will also replace a failed science data processing computer. These upgrades and others are expected to extend Hubble's life until 2014.
Atlantis (with Hubble in tow) is visible to the naked eye when it passes overhead in the night sky.
Clouds Remain with Peaks of Sun
It has been cloudy and cooler over Alabama this week. Temperatures are rising today into the lower 8o's with a descent chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.
Friday and the Weekend look mostly cloudy with each day featuring a good chance of rain. We will remain in this soupy airmass until Monday, when drier air tries to work its way into the area.
Early next week, we could see temperatures in the 70's for highs and mid 50's for lows.
You better enjoy while it last, we are approaching June and the hot and humid summer pattern that is typical for Alabama summers.
Friday and the Weekend look mostly cloudy with each day featuring a good chance of rain. We will remain in this soupy airmass until Monday, when drier air tries to work its way into the area.
Early next week, we could see temperatures in the 70's for highs and mid 50's for lows.
You better enjoy while it last, we are approaching June and the hot and humid summer pattern that is typical for Alabama summers.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Summer Like...
Summer like weather continues with temperatures reaching close to 90 today (low 80's if the clouds hang tough) and the humidity will be high. I don't expect any rain today. There is a small chance some community could see a isolated thunderstorm.
Tomorrow and Sunday will feature a good chance of storms as a front pushes in from the north. It won't be a total washout, but be prepared to dodge some storms as you plan your Mother's Day activities.
Temperatures Sunday could hold in the upper 70's or low 80's depending on the cloud cover.
There is a hint that by Tuesday we could be in much drier air.
Tomorrow and Sunday will feature a good chance of storms as a front pushes in from the north. It won't be a total washout, but be prepared to dodge some storms as you plan your Mother's Day activities.
Temperatures Sunday could hold in the upper 70's or low 80's depending on the cloud cover.
There is a hint that by Tuesday we could be in much drier air.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tornado Watch Until 6pm
URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTEDTORNADO WATCH NUMBER 254NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK1030 AM EDT WED MAY 6 2009
THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF
LARGE PART OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMAMUCH OF NORTH AND PARTS OF CENTRAL GEORGIAPARTS OF WESTERN SOUTH CAROLINA
EFFECTIVE THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING AND EVENING FROM 1030 AM UNTIL 700 PM EDT.
TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER…THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH…AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 115 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 40 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF AUBURN ALABAMA TO 70 MILES NORTHEAST OF ROME GEORGIA. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).
REMEMBER…A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF
LARGE PART OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMAMUCH OF NORTH AND PARTS OF CENTRAL GEORGIAPARTS OF WESTERN SOUTH CAROLINA
EFFECTIVE THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING AND EVENING FROM 1030 AM UNTIL 700 PM EDT.
TORNADOES…HAIL TO 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER…THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 80 MPH…AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.
THE TORNADO WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 115 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 40 MILES WEST SOUTHWEST OF AUBURN ALABAMA TO 70 MILES NORTHEAST OF ROME GEORGIA. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE THE ASSOCIATED WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).
REMEMBER…A TORNADO WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE FOR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS.
Severe Weather Threat Today is High
As you can see from the graphic on our site, SPC has much of Alabama in a slight risk of severe weather today. Storms are intensifying to our west this morning with Tornado warnings for Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties as I write this. Be alert today as the threat shifts east into our area later.
Dewpoints are high across our area (68F) and instability in the atmosphere is conducive to rapid thunderstorm development.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thoughts from James Spann on Tornado TV Coverage - What Do You Think?
Blog from James Spann posted today. What do you think?
Lots of buzz about weather around here lately. Seems like everybody is talking about it, but we all know you can’t do anything about it. The storms have been coming fast and furious in recent days, nothing too unusual for May in Alabama.
Many have e-mailed me about the sports radio guys fussing at us yesterday; that really doesn’t bother me. I have been the object of their rage many times over the years, and I can handle it. It is just part of their routine, and nothing new. Most of those sports talk guys are good friends, and I have no problems with them at all.
Understand, if you don’t have a thick skin, you will never survive in this business. We had to double-box an NBA playoff game Sunday afternoon during tornado coverage, and my friends at Channel 6 had to double box a NASCAR race Saturday night for the same reason. We must look at it from the other side; I would not be happy if I were an NBA or NASCAR fan trying to watch the event in that smaller box while some TV weather goober took up the audio portion and half the screen. And, the general population was not happy because they really couldn’t get a good look at our weather coverage unless they really had a big screen TV.
Understand this problem will go away in coming years. My vision is that we will have real broad bandwidth within 5 to 8 years (100 Mbps or higher), and a set-top box that that will store every program and all media, and handle thousands of live streams. There will be no more local affiliation model, and quite frankly, no “networks” as we know them now. The NBA, NFL, MLB, etc will steam all of their games live, in HD, right to your set without needing ABC, ESPN, etc. All middle men will be cut out. Operations like ABC 33/40 will be exclusively local, and no more interrupting programs for weather coverage. This will be happening sooner than later. Bring it on.
Quite frankly, the main issue I struggle with is the marginal tornado warning. Understand, not all tornado warnings are the same, and interrupting a major TV event for one of these is beginning to become unacceptable. The hate mail was fast and furious after cutting off Wheel of Fortune and the first part of Dancing With The Stars for a tornado warning for a small part of Talladega and Clay county in a National Forest. I honestly side with the hate mail crowd on this one.
In my opinion, there was a decent risk of a small tornado with that storm when it was near Childersburg at 6:15 or so; see the wall cloud shots below from Childersburg and Winterboro:
The warning was issued, however, well east of that spot as the shower was weakening. I am not faulting the NWS; I am sure they had some kind of report that led them to a decision to issue a warning, but we saw no compelling reason from our office, and it was a struggle doing long form coverage from 6:35 until 7:05. I had no voice, saw no reason for a continued tornado warning, and simply didn’t have much to report.
After a series of these in recent years, I have to believe we have to re-evaluate our position on long form severe weather coverage for these marginal situations. I will be thinking through this in coming days, but I assure you the idea of having to go on our main TV signal, interrupting regular programming, for a questionable tornado warning almost makes me ill to even think about it. We have our “WeatherNow” digital channel on cable systems around the state, and our live Internet stream that is always available for long form coverage that doesn’t warrant being on the big blow torch signal.
Understand, I can handle the hate mail, but it is the “cry wolf” syndrome that is the real concern. Too many marginal warnings means nobody will listen to a warning that is a real emergency with potential for a strong/violent tornado and loss of life. I have discussed this at length with my friends at the National Weather Service, and again, I am not faulting them. They are of the opinion that they have to pull the trigger on a tornado warning if they think it is a small, spin-up EF0, or a deadly EF5. But, the false alarm ratio, in my opinion, is too high, and we are lulling people to sleep with hundreds of warnings.
So, in coming days I will be think about pulling the policy of always being on TV during every single tornado warning, but only going on the air when we firmly believe a tornado is there. We can keep the marginal stuff on the digital channel and the live Internet stream. What do you think?
Lots of buzz about weather around here lately. Seems like everybody is talking about it, but we all know you can’t do anything about it. The storms have been coming fast and furious in recent days, nothing too unusual for May in Alabama.
Many have e-mailed me about the sports radio guys fussing at us yesterday; that really doesn’t bother me. I have been the object of their rage many times over the years, and I can handle it. It is just part of their routine, and nothing new. Most of those sports talk guys are good friends, and I have no problems with them at all.
Understand, if you don’t have a thick skin, you will never survive in this business. We had to double-box an NBA playoff game Sunday afternoon during tornado coverage, and my friends at Channel 6 had to double box a NASCAR race Saturday night for the same reason. We must look at it from the other side; I would not be happy if I were an NBA or NASCAR fan trying to watch the event in that smaller box while some TV weather goober took up the audio portion and half the screen. And, the general population was not happy because they really couldn’t get a good look at our weather coverage unless they really had a big screen TV.
Understand this problem will go away in coming years. My vision is that we will have real broad bandwidth within 5 to 8 years (100 Mbps or higher), and a set-top box that that will store every program and all media, and handle thousands of live streams. There will be no more local affiliation model, and quite frankly, no “networks” as we know them now. The NBA, NFL, MLB, etc will steam all of their games live, in HD, right to your set without needing ABC, ESPN, etc. All middle men will be cut out. Operations like ABC 33/40 will be exclusively local, and no more interrupting programs for weather coverage. This will be happening sooner than later. Bring it on.
Quite frankly, the main issue I struggle with is the marginal tornado warning. Understand, not all tornado warnings are the same, and interrupting a major TV event for one of these is beginning to become unacceptable. The hate mail was fast and furious after cutting off Wheel of Fortune and the first part of Dancing With The Stars for a tornado warning for a small part of Talladega and Clay county in a National Forest. I honestly side with the hate mail crowd on this one.
In my opinion, there was a decent risk of a small tornado with that storm when it was near Childersburg at 6:15 or so; see the wall cloud shots below from Childersburg and Winterboro:
The warning was issued, however, well east of that spot as the shower was weakening. I am not faulting the NWS; I am sure they had some kind of report that led them to a decision to issue a warning, but we saw no compelling reason from our office, and it was a struggle doing long form coverage from 6:35 until 7:05. I had no voice, saw no reason for a continued tornado warning, and simply didn’t have much to report.
After a series of these in recent years, I have to believe we have to re-evaluate our position on long form severe weather coverage for these marginal situations. I will be thinking through this in coming days, but I assure you the idea of having to go on our main TV signal, interrupting regular programming, for a questionable tornado warning almost makes me ill to even think about it. We have our “WeatherNow” digital channel on cable systems around the state, and our live Internet stream that is always available for long form coverage that doesn’t warrant being on the big blow torch signal.
Understand, I can handle the hate mail, but it is the “cry wolf” syndrome that is the real concern. Too many marginal warnings means nobody will listen to a warning that is a real emergency with potential for a strong/violent tornado and loss of life. I have discussed this at length with my friends at the National Weather Service, and again, I am not faulting them. They are of the opinion that they have to pull the trigger on a tornado warning if they think it is a small, spin-up EF0, or a deadly EF5. But, the false alarm ratio, in my opinion, is too high, and we are lulling people to sleep with hundreds of warnings.
So, in coming days I will be think about pulling the policy of always being on TV during every single tornado warning, but only going on the air when we firmly believe a tornado is there. We can keep the marginal stuff on the digital channel and the live Internet stream. What do you think?
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tornado Warning Talladega/Clay County until 7:15
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTEDTORNADO WARNINGNATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BIRMINGHAM AL632 PM CDT MON MAY 4 2009THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BIRMINGHAM HAS ISSUED A* TORNADO WARNING FOR... NORTHWESTERN CLAY COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF ASHLAND... CENTRAL TALLADEGA COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA...* UNTIL 715 PM CDT* AT 631 PM CDT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO NEAR WINTERBORO...OR 10 MILES NORTHEAST OF SYLACAUGA...MOVING EAST AT 20 MPH.* THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR... WALDO BY 705 PM CDT...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE...SEEK SHELTER IN A NEARBY REINFORCEDBUILDING. AS A LAST RESORT...SEEK SHELTER IN A CULVERT...DITCH OR LOWSPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER AWORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT ISAVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN ANINTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TOCOVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE ASUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THENEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
What Rain Forecast?
So much for small rain chances over the weekend. We have gotten beneficial rain amounts Saturday and Sunday. Even picked up around 0.25" on Friday morning and it is coming down hard this am across our area. And don't forget about the severe weather yesterday across our area. Haven't seen any damage in this area, but to our west, Pell City and Birmingham received significant tree and power line damage. The area was under a Tornado Warning for almost an hour yesterday, as a supercell thunderstorm came across Ohatchee to Weaver to north of Jacksonville.
Oh well, shows how far we still can progress when it comes to predicting Mother Nature. As someone reminded me over the weekend, "being a weather person is the only career where you can repeatedly be wrong and still have a job."
Sorry about the absense yesterday during the severe weather threat, I was celebrating a daughters birthday. I get to do that since this is a hobby and not a career.
So, for the rest of the week:
Rain will be with us today. Tomorrow looks dry but more rain returns Wednesday and Friday.
At this time, the weekend looks dry and warm.
Who can complain about the rain, the flowers will be pretty.
Oh well, shows how far we still can progress when it comes to predicting Mother Nature. As someone reminded me over the weekend, "being a weather person is the only career where you can repeatedly be wrong and still have a job."
Sorry about the absense yesterday during the severe weather threat, I was celebrating a daughters birthday. I get to do that since this is a hobby and not a career.
So, for the rest of the week:
Rain will be with us today. Tomorrow looks dry but more rain returns Wednesday and Friday.
At this time, the weekend looks dry and warm.
Who can complain about the rain, the flowers will be pretty.
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