ABC 33/40 E-Forecast

ABC 33/40 E-FORECAST
Afternoon Edition For Wednesday December 31, 2008
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HOPE

Hope. It's something we all look for. Too often we think hope
is just a wish or a feeling. We've seen what can happen when
we put our hope-our trust-in the wrong place, people or things.

Christian hope is different. It is the confident, joyful expectation
that God is working for my good and his glory.

Do you know someone who needs hope, especially in these tough times?

Join others seeking "Hope" this Sunday at Hunter Street Baptist
Church in Hoover. Visit http://www.hunterstreet.org for service
times and directions.

Hunter Street is located at 2600 John Hawkins Parkway in Hoover,
just 3 miles west of the Riverchase Galleria. Phone 205.985.7295.
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...A Cool Start For 2009...

DRY AND CHILLY NEW YEARS DAY: If you are going out to ring in the New
Year tonight you might need more than a sweater or light coat. Because
it will get progressly colder as the night goes on. One bit of good
news is that the brisk winds will diminish. Look for temperatures to
be in the low 40s early this evening and in the 30s before midnight.
The overnight low should be around 27 across the Tuscaloosa,
Birmingham, and Anniston area. Up in North and Northeast Alabama, it
will be more like 22 to 25. A decent warm up will come tomorrow with
mid 50s. About the same on Friday but even warmer over the weekend.

THE RAIN SITUATION: At one time we thought the showers would arrive
late at night on New Years day but now we believe they will hold off
until Friday morning. We expect occasional showers on Friday. Then on
Saturday, after a break, a few will show up by afternoon. It appears
that those showers will become more numerous Saturday night. Still a
good chance of showers on Sunday. In all of this, we may get about a
0.80 rain amount.

2008 RAIN REPORTS: At Birmingham Airport, we will end 2008 with a 1.26
inch surplus. The total for the year was 55.09 inches. Last year
(2007), we only received 28.86 so we almost doubled that amount this
year. In the Tennessee Valley, Huntsville got almost 12 inches of rain
in the last four weeks which brought their total for the year to 48.30
which is a shortfall of over nine inches. Rain amounts were quite
variable around the state because at least two tropical events. One of
the more interesting totals is at Scrougeout in NE Etowah County. Vic
Bell, the 33/40 skywatcher there, reports 12.51 inches in the last
four weeks for a grand total for the year, an amazing 62.29 inches.
More than 25 percent of that fell in about five days, including two
days in August with Tropical Storm Faye and three days in December.

ROAMING FAR AFIELD: Bitter, bitter cold over the far North. It was a
bitter 57 below zero this morning at Beaver, Alaska and 54 below at
Ft. Yukon. Fairbanks had 43 below zero after a high yesterday of 35
below. Wind gusts reached 61 mph on Mt. Mitchell, NC this morning and
64 mph on Grandfather Mt. Coldest in the lower 48 was 33 below zero at
Wahpeton, North Dakota. Spokane got an amazing 60 inches of snow in
the last four weeks. By far, the most ever. There was a tragic story
concerning eight snowmobilers who were swept away and killed by an
avalanche in the back country of British Columbia in Western Canada.

MY TINY CORNER OF THE WORLD: I feel sure that we will hear fireworks
as midnight approaches. Little Miss Molly can hear them from a long
way off. I will try to be in position to hold her, cuddle her and even
play ball with her to divert her attention. Fireworks get to her like
thunder so she will probably go to one of her designated safe spots
before I can comfort her. She still misses the majority owner and it
appears she will not be home from the hospital until tomorrow. Life
goes on but it sure has been mixed up for over a week.

J. B. Elliott
jb.elliott@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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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).
Call (205) 996-5219 for more information. Go Blazers!
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TONIGHT
Clear and cold.
Morning Low 27
WIND: NE 4-8

THURSDAY
Sunny but clouds increase at night.
Morning Low 27 Afternoon High 54
WIND: SE 6-12

FRIDAY
Mostly cloudy with occasional showers.
Morning Low 41 Afternoon High 56
WIND: S 6-12

SATURDAY
A slight chance of showers by afternoon becoming more numerous at night.
Morning Low 39 Afternoon High 62
WIND: SE 6-12

SUNDAY
Mostly cloudy with a good chance of showers.
Morning Low 52 Afternoon High 64
WIND: SW 6-12

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Tonight on ABC 33/40:

6:00pm ABC 33/40 News
6:30pm Wheel of Fortune
7:00pm Shrek 2 Animated
9:00pm Dick Clarks Primetime New Years Show
10:00pm ABC 33/40 News
10:30pm Dick Clarks Countdown to Midnight

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