Review of Spring 2007

Public Information Statement

Issued: April 8, 2007

...February & March 2007 Weather & Climate for Central Alabama...

Two bouts of severe weather affected Central Alabama during this period. Severe thunderstorms moved into Central Alabama during the afternoon hours on February 13th. Severe thunderstorms were observed from approximately 3 pm through 9 pm. Penny to baseball size hail was reported in several counties and many automobiles sustained damage. The largest hail fell in Tuscaloosa county where tennis ball to baseball size hail was observed in a few locations.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale was implemented at the beginning of February. The new EF Scale was designed to rate tornadoes on a scale from zero to five similar to the previous scale, but the wind speed ranges have been altered to be more representative of the damage observed. The EF Scale has taken additional variables into account which would make the tornado strength estimate more accurate. Four tornadoes occurred on February 13th and were rated on the new EF Scale, 2 were EF0`s and 2 were EF1`s. These tornadoes touched down in Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Hale, Perry and Autauga Counties. Several structures were damaged and numerous trees were snapped off along these tornado damage paths.

A high risk of severe thunderstorms was posted for all of Central Alabama on March 1st. This high risks included the potential for strong to violent tornadoes. As it turned out, a tornado outbreak produced tornadoes in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Nine tornadoes were confirmed by National Weather Service surveys conducted throughout Central Alabama. An EF4 tornado touched down in Wilcox and Dallas Counties and was on the ground for approximately 15 miles. The damage was rated an EF4 near Millers Ferry where numerous homes were significantly damaged or destroyed. Although the damage in Dallas County was on the order of EF1, the tornado event was rated with the greatest damage that occurred anywhere along the continuous path. Three EF2`s were assessed in Lowndes, Montgomery, Russell, Lee and Winston Counties. Five EF1`s were surveyed in Barbour, Shelby, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Fayette Counties. Golf ball to baseball size hail also accompanied the supercell thunderstorms as they moved through Central Alabama.

Most locations across central alabama experienced rainfall deficits for February and March. Even with the beneficial rain measured on the 31st, many locations went 15 days without rain. In fact, most locations measured rain only on the 1st, 15th and 31st during the wettest month of the year statistically. This just increased the already dry conditions as deficits were also observed in January. March is typically one of the wettest months of the year and these deficits will have agricultural, hydrologic, and fire weather impacts. The US Drought Monitor has upgraded a large part of Central Alabama into the D2 drought category, which is severe drought. This area roughly covers the northwest half of Central Alabama. This drought index incorporates measures from the Palmer Drought Index, soil moisture models, weekly streamflow measurements, short and long term drought indices and precipitation. D2 Severe Drought means that some crop or pasture losses are possible, water shortages may occur and some water restrictions may be necessary. Area rivers, streams and reservoirs have been running well below normal and serious negative impacts will be possible later in the year if rainfall amounts do not increase. The risk for wildfires remains high due to lack of soil moisture. Many Central Alabama counties were placed under a Fire Alert by the Alabama Forestry Commission.

The Climate Prediction Center Outlook for April has an equal chance of above, below or normal precipitation amounts and temperatures. The three month outlook for April, May and June has an equal chance of above, below or normal precipitation amounts and has above normal temperatures. Although some improvement is possible in the D2 Severe Drought area, it looks as if the improvement will be rather slow.

The upper level pattern during February was characterized by a large trough across the eastern half of the United States. This trough gradually transitioned to more zonal flow toward the second half of February. While the trough was dominate, high temperatures across Central Alabama were below normal before rebounding in the second half of the month. Low temperatures were generally below normal the entire month as the trough brought reinforcing shots of polar air down from the north. No record highs or lows were experienced in February.

March was characterized by above normal high temperatures and low temperatures. The upper level pattern held all the colder air well north of the area. Temperatures started off just above normal, but the temperatures over the last ten days of the month soared to near record levels. The pattern transitioned to a cut-off low out west and an unseasonably strong ridge over the Southeastern United States. Several locations were ever so close to that 90 degree mark for many days in a row. Between the 20th and the 31st, several days of 88 to 89 degrees were observed and many record highs were tied or broken during the period...and in some instances these temperatures were very close to the all time highs for March.

Unofficial temperature and precipitation data for selected sites;

Birmingham
February 2007
Highest Temperature	75 on the 28th
Lowest Temperature	20 on the 16th
Average High Temperature	56.1
Average Low Temperature	33.1
Average Monthly	44.6
Departure From Normal	-2.2
Precipitation	2.56
Departure From Normal	-2.89
Highest Wind Gust	39 mph on the 24th

Birmingham
March 2007
Highest Temperature	87 on the 25th & 29th
Lowest Temperature	26 on the 5th
Average High Temperature	73.6
Average Low Temperature	49.2
Average Monthly	61.4
Departure From Normal	+6.9
Precipitation	1.02
Departure From Normal	-5.08
Highest Wind Gust	33 mph on the 1st

Montgomery
February 2007
Highest Temperature	80 on the 28th
Lowest Temperature	21 on the 17th
Average High Temperature	62.8
Average Low Temperature	35.6
Average Monthly	49.2
Departure From Normal	-1.3
Precipitation	3.30
Departure From Normal	-1.70
Highest Wind Gust	38 mph on the 25th

Montgomery
March 2007
Highest Temperature	89 on the 29th
Lowest Temperature	30 on the 5th
Average High Temperature	76.9
Average Low Temperature	48.9
Average Monthly	62.9
Departure From Normal	+5.00
Precipitation	2.07
Departure From Normal	-4.32
Highest Wind Gust	49 mph on the 1st

Tuscaloosa
February 2007
Highest Temperature	80 on the 28th
Lowest Temperature	21 on the 17th
Average High Temperature	62.8
Average Low Temperature	35.6
Average Monthly	49.2
Departure From Normal	-1.30
Precipitation	3.30
Departure From Normal	-2.15
Highest Wind Gust	40 on the 24th

Tuscaloosa
March 2007
Highest Temperature	87 on the 29th
Lowest Temperature	25 on the 5th
Average High Temperature	75.7
Average Low Temperature	45.4
Average Monthly	60.5
Departure From Normal	+2.90
Precipitation	1.16
Departure From Normal	-5.21
Highest Wind Gust	41 on the 1st

Anniston
February 2007
Highest Temperature	76 on the 28th
Lowest Temperature	19 on the 3rd & 17th
Average High Temperature	56.6
Average Low Temperature	30.9
Average Monthly	43.8
Departure From Normal	-3.50
Precipitation	2.10
Departure From Normal	-2.70
Highest Wind Gust	36 on the 24th

Anniston
March 2007
Highest Temperature	88 on the 25th
Lowest Temperature	23 on the 5th
Average High Temperature	73.3
Average Low Temperature	45.5
Average Monthly	59.4
Departure From Normal	+4.50
Precipitation	2.13
Departure From Normal	-4.15
Highest Wind Gust	31 on the 1st

Calera
February 2007
Highest Temperature	76 on the 28th
Lowest Temperature	22 on the 3rd & 16th
Average High Temperature	57.0
Average Low Temperature	33.8
Average Monthly	45.4
Precipitation	2.84
Highest Wind Gust	39 on the 24th

Calera
March 2007
Highest Temperature	86 on the 25th
Lowest Temperature	29 on the 5th
Average High Temperature	73.8
Average Low Temperature	48.1
Average Monthly	61.0
Precipitation	0.50
Highest Wind Gust	41 on the 1st

Troy
February 2007
Highest Temperature	79 on the 28th
Lowest Temperature	19 on the17th
Average High Temperature	62.1
Average Low Temperature	34.2
Average Monthly	48.2
Precipitation	2.15
Highest Wind Gust	36 on the 17th

Troy
March 2007
Highest Temperature	88 on the 25th & 29th
Lowest Temperature	25 on the 5th
Average High Temperature	76.1
Average Low Temperature	46.5
Average Monthly	61.3
Precipitation	1.56
Highest Wind Gust	38 on the 1st

Unofficial February temperature and precipitation data for selected sites;

February 2007
Location	Highest Temp/Date	Lowest Temp/Date	Precipitation
Alexander City	75 on the 23rd & 28th	20 on the 16th & 17th	2.38
Centre	71 on the 22nd & 23rd	14 on the 1st	1.26
Centreville	73 on the 23rd & 28th	19 on the 3rd & 17th	2.72
Clanton	74 on the 23rd & 28th	20 on the 16th & 17th	2.72
Demopolis	74 on the 23rd	22 on the 16th & 17th	2.25
Fayette	75 on the 22nd	20 on the 1st & 4th	3.23
Hamilton	77 on the 22nd	12 several times	4.14
Haleyville	73 on the 28th	14 on the 16th	3.32
Heflin	68 on the 28th	16 on the 17th	2.37
Helena	76 on the 28th	21 on the 3rd, 16th & 17th	2.78
Lafayette	77 on the 28th	15 on the 17th	2.43
Pinson	77 on the 28th	17 on the 3rd	2.72
Prattville	77 on the 28th	20 on the 16th	3.55
Rockford	76 on the 28th	16 on the 17th	2.78
Selma	76 on the 28th	23 on the 17th &18th	2.45
Sylacauga	75 on the 28th	19 on the 17th	3.43
Talladega	71 on the 23rd	17 on the 17th	2.96
Thorsby	72 on the 23rd & 28th	23 on the 1st, 3rd & 4th	2.98
Union Springs	75 on the 28th	18 on the 17th & 18th	3.43

March 2007
Location	Highest Temp/Date	Lowest Temp/Date	Precipitation
Alexander City	89 on the 26th	28 on the 5th	2.02
Centre	87 on the 26th & 27th	22 on the 6th	1.54
Clanton	87 on the 26th & 30th	27 on the 5th	1.47
Demopolis	85 on the 26th & 27th	27 on the 5th & 6th	0.60
Hamilton	90 on the 30th	17 on the 5th & 6th	0.60
Haleyville	85 on the 31st	29 on the 17th	0.80
Heflin	87 on the 27th	25 on the 5th	1.83
Lafayette	87 on the 25th	20 on the 6th	2.22
Pinson	91 on the 25th	21 on the 5th	1.80
Prattville	86 on the 25th	29 on the 5th	0.59
Rockford	87 on the 25th	26 on the 5th	0.73
Selma	87 on the 26th & 27th	30 on the 5th & 6th	1.42
Sylacauga	86 on the 25th, 29th & 30th	22 on the 4th & 5th	2.44
Talladega	87 on the 26th	23 on the 5th	1.18
Union Springs	86 on the 26th & 30th	26 on the 5th & 6th	3.25

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office