ABC 33/40 E-Forecast

ABC 33/40 E-FORECAST
Afternoon Edition For Saturday December 27, 2008
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UAB-Memphis Basketball
UAB Group Tickets Are Now On Sale!!!

Make plans now to see one of the most anticipated college basketball
games of the year. On February 26, the UAB Blazers take on the
Memphis Tigers, last year's runner-up in the NCAA Tournament.

Those who serve as group leaders of purchases of 25 tickets or more to
any of UAB's home games will also receive two upper level tickets
(a $30 value) to a game of your choice (other than Memphis). Between
now and December 17th, you will also automatically be entered to win
the grand prize, a Road Trip for Two to the Conference USA basketball
tournament in March. This package includes travel, lodging, and tickets
for the winner.

Call (205) 996-5219 for more information. Go Blazers!
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...Storms Tonight...

Severe weather was occurring to the west and northwest of Alabama on
this Saturday afternoon. The SPC has a moderate risk outlook posted
for northern Arkansas, eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. A
slight risk outlook has been issued for areas as far east as the
western half of Mississippi and western Tennessee. Tornado watches
stretch all the way from the southern parts of Chicagoland into the
Ozarks and the South.

ON THE WEATHER MAPS: A powerful storm system is over the mid-section
of the nation this afternoon. The strong mid and upper level trough
is swinging out onto the Plains. At the surface, a low pressure system
is getting better organized over Missouri. A large warm sector is
south and east of the surface system. 60F dew points have spread as
far north as southern Illinois. 70F temperatures are noted as far
north as Missouri. A line of intense storms precedes a cold front
that is pushing eastward. The warm sector will provide the fuel for
thunderstorms through the afternoon and into the evening over a wide
area for late December.

STRONG STORMS FOR US? We started our gray this morning, but breaks in
the clouds were allowing for some sunshine at late morning.
Temperatures will soar into the 70s this afternoon. A strong
southerly wind continues to pump in warm, moist air. Showers will
begin to pop up over western sections of the state late this afternoon
and into tonight. The line of storms will approach western Alabama
by late this evening, but it should be weakening as the surface low
lifts out to the northeast and the front weakens. There still will be
some strong storm overnight, and you can expect a few warnings, but
widespread severe weather is not anticipated. Just in case, keep that
Weatheradio on alert overnight.

SUNDAY AND BEYOND: Rain will continue into the morning hours on
Sunday as the front pushes slowly southeastward. It should end by
afternoon in most areas. Temperatures will fall through the morning
hours, then hold steady during the day in the 50s. No real cold air
behind this system, and we will return to seasonable levels for Monday
and Tuesday will dry conditions expected. There are signs that we
will deal with a wet weather system late Thursday night into Friday,
but the details are a bit fuzzy at this time. The rain should be gone
by Saturday, with a surge of cold air moving in on the heels of the
storm system. Lows will be below freezing Sunday morning. Look for a
double barreled wet weather system in the week after New Years, along
with a change to much colder in the end of that week. Could there be
some wintry weather by the end of the week? It is still way too
early to call, but with a negative NAO in mid-January, things could
get interesting.

SKY SHOW THIS WEEK: The heavens have a spectacular sky show planned
for you this week. It has actually already started, but clouds will
hamper any star gazing tonight. Tomorrow night, get ready to check
out the brightest planet, Venus in the southwestern sky after sunset,
along with a beautiful new Crescent Moon and a dynamic duo that will
put on a performance through New Years Eve. Just above the horizon,
the tiniest planet Mercury will appear to be getting closer and closer
to Jupiter, heading toward a fabulous conjunction Wednesday night.

ON THIS DATE IN 1998: An unusual summer storm packing winds of
cyclone magnitude struck the 115 sailboats of the famed Sydney to
Hobart yacht race. Six sailors died and 55 had to be rescued in a
heroic air and sea effort that included night helicopter sorties to
pull people out of the water. Storm warnings had been issued for the
race participants, but pressure caused officials to allow the race to
begin on time. Computer models did not have the resolution to show
the full intensity of the storm's hurricane force winds and 30 foot
seas. Families of the victims blamed the meteorologists and race
officials for not intervening.

Bill Murray
bill.murray@theweathercompany.com

ABC 33/40 7 Day Planner: http://cfc.abc3340.com/abc3340/7day.cfm
ABC 33/40 Weather Blog: http://www.alabamawx.com

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TONIGHT
Showers and thunderstorms late tonight Some could be strong to severe.
Morning Low 60
WIND: S 15-25

SUNDAY
Breezy and cooler. Showers diminishing by afternoon.
Morning Low 51 Afternoon High 58
WIND: NW 8-16

MONDAY
Sunny skies.
Morning Low 37 Afternoon High 61
WIND: NE 5-10

TUESDAY
Sunshine.
Morning Low 34 Afternoon High 64
WIND: SE 5-10

WEDNESDAY
Becoming cloudy. Chance of shower, mainly south.
Morning Low 38 Afternoon High 56
WIND: W/NW 6-12

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Tonight on ABC 33/40:

6:00pm ABC3340 News
6:30pm Wheel of Fortune
7:00pm Miracle
10:00pm ABC 33/40 News
10:35pm Law and Order, SVU

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