If you have thought that it has been dry for this time of year you are correct. Since the start of meteorological Spring, March 1, Huntsville is more than 4" below normal and more than 6" below normal since the start of the year. For the Shoals, it is a similar story with being just shy of 4.5" below normal since March 1 and more than 5.5" below normal since the start of the year. The dryness is also now leading to portions of northwest Alabama into central Tennessee to be classified as "Abnormally Dry" by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The lag of rainfall has helped to lead to one of the worst allergy seasons I can remember in quite some time, at least regarding the way I have had to deal with them
and I know I am not alone. The sniffles and red eyes are everywhere across the Tennessee Valley. Monday's pollen count for Huntsville remains in the "Very High" category with trees, again, the main culprit. The top 3 tree species being responsible for the allergy madness are Oak, Pine and Walnut/Butternut. In addition, a low concentration of grass was noted.
We had a few rain showers pass through the Tennessee Valley Monday night into early Tuesday. Unfortunately, it was enough to cleanse the air and instead helped take the yellow dust we have seen on our cars and outdoor stuff and make it into a yellow paste. WooHoo! But real relief may soon arrive. Off to the west, approaching the California coast, a potent upper level low pressure system is heading to make its presence known. You can see the system clearly on the water vapor imagery.
This storm system will bring an unusually cool period to the southwestern U.S. through Saturday with afternoon highs in the 50s and 60s as the rule. It will also be quite rainy, too, with most of West seeing some rainfall. Some spots may see in excess of 2" By Friday morning, this storm system will move into the High Plains. The high pressure that is currently bringing us cooler weather will be sliding southeastward into Florida. This will work in conjunction with the approaching western storm system by delivering a strong southerly flow by Friday. This will help increase the moisture flow out of the Gulf of Mexico and set up the increased potential for widespread rainfall across the center of the nation by Friday evening. The storm system will be dynamic and that will help to fire thunderstorms with the rainfall. Some of these storms could become strong to even severe across the Southern Plains, Friday afternoon/evening.
The storm system will move into the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley late Friday night through the day Saturday. With it will come the best chance for rainfall we have seen in several weeks. We may even see a threat for some strong to severe thunderstorms, something I encourage you to monitor. Computer forecasts are indicating the potential of an 1" or more or rainfall for Saturday for the Tennessee Valley. This would be welcomed rainfall for the allergy suffers and the farmers of the Valley.
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