Remembering April 27th, 2011
Today is a somber day across much of the Southeast United States, as today marks the six month anniversary of the devastating tornadoes of April 27th, 2011. I'm sure most can pretty much remember where they were that day, it was a long day with three rounds of severe weather, starting during the early morning hours. The last round was the most devastating as two different EF-5 tornadoes tore through the towns of Smithville, MS and Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, AL. Though those were not the only locations affected by tornadoes that day. It was hard to drive more than 10-15 miles without seeing some kind of damage from storms. It seemed like everybody knew somebody that suffered some kind of personal loss due to the tornadoes. I hope everybody continues to keep those that lost their lives on that fateful day and those that continue to recover, in your thoughts and prayers. Be thankful for what you have and never take anything for granted!
Forecast:
Hope everybody had a chance to enjoy the warm weather over the past few days, because big changes are already in progress! Currently a cold front is slowly making it's way southeast across North Mississippi and Alabama and will continue to do so through the rest of today. There will be a wide temperatures gradient today, due to the fact that the farther north and west you live, the front will move through your area sooner, and therefore temperatures will likely only warm into the low to mid 60s. The farther southeast you live, you will experience more sunshine and the front will move through your location later, therefore high temperature may reach near 70 degrees!
There is little to no rainfall along the front, with the bulk of the shower and embedded thunderstorm activity well behind the front in Tennessee and Arkansas. There is the possibility for some spotty showers this afternoon, but anticipate most to stay dry. Better rain chances come later this evening, overnight into early Friday. An upper disturbance currently in the Desert Southwest, producing an early October snow in the Texas Panhandle, will track eastward today and will create lift which will likely cause some scattered showers to develop overnight. A thunderstorm or two cannot be ruled out, but mainly showers are expected with this system. Generally one quarter to a half inch of rainfall is probable, with locally higher amounts.
Clouds and rain will gradual clear Friday, with partly to mostly sunny skies by late Friday afternoon. Despite the return of sunshine, it will be rather cool, with high temperatures Friday only warming into the upper 50s and low 60s, thanks to colder and drier air filtering in behind the front. This weekend, get ready for some chilly mornings with lows in the 30s and cool days, with highs in the mid 60s. Halloween is looking like a pretty decent day, with mainly sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s. Though keep in mind, as the sun sets, the temperature will drop fast into the 50s through the evening, so a light jacket or long sleeve shirt may be needed underneath costumes to stay warm.
Tropical Update:
Due to interaction with land, entrainment of dry air and wind shear, Rina has now weakened to a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Rina looks to continue it's track towards the Yucatan Peninsula and is still expected to impact Cancun and Cozumel Mexico with gusty winds and rain. Rina is forecast to eventually take a southerly turn and basically meander in the Yucatan Channel and Northwest Caribbean as it eventually dissipates. Besides Rina, there is a trough of low pressure in the western Caribbean, but no tropical development is expected. The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean remain quiet pertaining to the tropics.
