Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Rain, Rain Come Our Way!



Rain is headed our way...it's just a slow process.

Western parts of the viewing area should start to see more showers over the next few hours. The entire Wiregrass should see rain by morning...so go ahead and plan for extra time to get to work or to get the kids to school.

We expect the rains to continue through most of the day before moving out to make way for a sunny Thursday and Friday.

All eyes will then shift to this weekend when another system moves into our area. Models are showing the chance for some strong to severe storms in our viewing area. It's something we are definitely monitoring at this time.

The northern half of the state will see rains this weekend as well but the severe stuff will stay in the southern half of the state with cooler temps from Montgomery north.

As always...the forecast can and will change.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Bay and Gulf counties are both under a severe thunderstorm warning right now. It's for a storm that is well south of our viewing area and moving away from us. Here is the latest radar image.


Some light showers are staring to pop up in Covington and Escambia counties in Alabama and Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties in Florida.

We're still expecting some showers and the National Weather Service still believes a chance for some strong storms is possible!

Tornado Safety Day


This week has been proclaimed Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama by Governor Robert Bentley. During this special week, Alabamians are encouraged to learn and or review the proper safety precautions necessary for protecting their lives during severe weather.

The National Weather Service Office in Birmingham conducted the weekly NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards test at 9:00 am this morning, Wednesday, February 22nd. This time replaced the weekly radio test normally performed between 11 am and noon each Wednesday. The information message going along with this weekly radio test will highlight appropriate preparedness and safety precautions concerning tornadoes.

Severe Weather Awareness Week continues today with a closer look at tornadoes and tornado safety. The months of March through May are known as the Spring Severe Weather Season. A Fall Severe Weather Season also exists from November through mid December. Alabama is one of the few locations in the world that has two distinct severe weather seasons.

A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground. if the circulation is not on the ground, then it is defined as a funnel cloud. Tornadoes usually descend from thunderstorms. Wind speeds in tornadoes can range from 65 miles per hour to 318 miles per hour, the highest tornado wind speed ever recorded. Your safety depends on being constantly aware of the possibility of severe weather.

A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes in and close to the watch area. A watch is normally issued for a large area covering numerous counties. The watch is intended to give you time to review your safety rules. The sky may be sunny, but weather changes can take place quite rapidly.

A Tornado Warning means that a developing tornado has been detected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar or has been reported on the ground by reliable sources. A Tornado Warning is typically issued for a portion of counties at a time and usually lasts no more than 45 minutes. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your county, you should seek shelter immediately. If you see a tornado or feel threatened, move to a safe place immediately, as precious seconds can save your life.

Here is some important information regarding Tornado Safety...

If you are in a home or small business, go to the basement or to a small interior room such as a closet, bathroom or interior hallway without windows on the lowest level. Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. If possible, get under something sturdy, such as a heavy table, or use a mattress to protect yourself from flying debris. Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head. If available, put on a bicycle or motorcycle helmet to protect yourself from head injuries.

If you are in a large business, school, hospital, shopping center or factory, go to the designated shelter area. If a shelter area is not available, the best place to go is an interior hallway on the lowest level. stay away from the structurally weaker portions of buildings, such as windows and rooms with expansive roofs, which are more likely to collapse when tornadoes strike. Do not waste time opening windows in an attempt to prevent damage to a building. The old belief that damage could result from rapid pressure changes during a tornado is not true. It will not make any difference in a tornado if the window is open or not. Your safest course of action is to take shelter immediately when a tornado warning is issued for your area.

If you are in a mobile home, get out and take shelter in a sturdy building or storm shelter. If there is not one nearby, take shelter in the most interior room that has no windows, such as a interior bathroom or closet. If you are caught in your vehicle, get out and into a sturdy shelter. If one is not available nearby, get to a low spot and cover your head from flying debris. Do not take cover under an overpass as this does not provide adequate shelter during a tornado and can actually cause increased wind speeds due to a tunneling effect.

For additional details or for any questions, contact Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist-in-Charge, at 205-664-3010, ext 222 or John De Block, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at ext 223.

Severe Weather Later Today?

We hope you are having a great day.



















The threat of severe weather is back on the table this afternoon. We don't expect much trouble but you don't want to let your guard down.

The threat will primarily be an afternoon and evening issue. Bud Ford will be in the weather center monitoring the latest and we'll break into our programming if needed. You can also get the latest by checking our facebook page at www.facebook.com/dothanfirst.



















Storms will clear out later this evening. We're expecting a low somewhere around 57 degrees.




















Tomorrow we will reach a high of around 79 degrees.

We expect rain to move back into the forecast Thursday night and into Friday. Once again we can't rule out the possibility of severe weather.

Again...we have two more chances for severe weather over the next 48 hours. The chances are very low but we don't want you to let you guard down. Make sure to have your plan of action ready and act accordingly if a warning is issued for your area!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Lightning Awareness Day...

Lightning Awareness Day...

This week has been proclaimed Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama by Governor Robert Bentley . During this special week, Alabamians are encouraged to learn and or review the proper safety precautions necessary for protecting their lives during severe weather.

Before we jump into Lightning Safety, we would like to remind all Alabamians about the Special Weekly NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards test that will be conducted on Wednesday, February 23rd. The National Weather Service Office in Birmingham will conduct the weekly radio test at the special time, at 9:00 am on Wednesday, February 23rd. This special test will replace the usual weekly radio test that is normally conducted between 11 am and noon every Wednesday. The information message going along with this weekly radio test will highlight appropriate preparedness and safety precautions concerning tornadoes. Please use this special test to check the operation of your NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and run through your safety plans. If inclement weather develops on Wednesday, February 23rd, this Special Weekly Radio Test will not take place until Friday, February 25th, at 9:00 am.

Now on to Lightning Safety...

The summer months of June through September are the deadliest as far as lightning is concerned. In an average year, 3 people will be struck and killed by lightning in Alabama and at least 6 will be injured.

Here are some Lightning Safety Rules...

Move inside a well constructed house, a large building or an all-metal vehicle. Stay away from electrical appliances and do not use the telephone. If you are in a boat, get off the water and into a substantial building or at least into an enclosed and all-metal vehicle with the windows up.

If you are caught in an open metal boat, lie down in the boat with cushions between you and the metal sides and bottom.

If you are caught outdoors during a storm and are too far away from appropriate shelter, you only have one last ditch effort to lower your chances of being directly struck. Crouch down low, but do not lie flat on the ground.

If in a ravine or valley, be alert for the threat of flooding. The best advice is to check the forecast and watch the sky for storm development and not put yourself in the situation where you are out in the open when a thunderstorm occurs.

Move away from motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, bicycles, tractors and other metal farm equipment. Avoid wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes and drains, railroad tracks and any other metal surfaces.

Avoid isolated trees. Stay away from the tallest trees. If caught in the woods, pick a small grove of trees as your shelter and stand at least 5 feet from the trunk of the nearest tree to avoid flying bark if the tree is struck.

Avoid standing in a small isolated shed or other small ungrounded structure.

If you are with a group of people in an open area and can not get to appropriate shelter, spread out before you take last ditch efforts.

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards will provide information and safety tips all this week. You can utilize these safety rules to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of severe weather.

For additional details or for any questions, contact Jim Stefkovich, Meteorologist-in-Charge, at 205-664-3010, ext 222 or John De Block, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at ext 223.  

Could Severe Weather Be On The Way?

We don't seem to get rid of the idea of severe weather right now. Computer models are again pointing to the possibility of some strong storms Thursday night into Friday. Timing will be everything....as overnight storms could potentially be much weaker.

We are monitoring the upcoming storm system and will have updates on Wednesday and Thursday at 5, 6 and 10.

On to your forecast.

Wednesday: Isolated showers after noon. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Overnight Storm Reports

There were several overnight storm reports turned into the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.
  • The Holmes County Sheriff's Office reported numerous roads in the county that were covered in water and not passable.
  • Sylvester County, GA officials reported multiple trees down.
  • Grady County, GA reported multiple trees and powerlines down across the county.
  • Powerlines down and flash flooding was reported in Jackson County, Florida near the Cottondale area.
  • Trees and powerlines were reported down in Miller County, Georgia near Colquitt.
  • Four roads in the Chipley area were closed due to flooding in Washington County.
  • A 39 mph wind gust was recorded at the Dothan Airport.
  • Nickle size hail reported in Colquitt County near Moultrie.
  • Trees and powerlines down in Dale County near Ozark.
  • Trees reported down in Dothan.
  • A wind gust of 60 mph in Defuniak Springs, Florida in Walton County.
  • A gas leak reported in Dothan.
  • Flash flooding in the city of Geneva.