West Alabama Thursday Briefing
It is Thursday April 25, 2024.
The 2024 Hurricane Season does not get underway until June 1. But there has already been some activity detected in the Eastern Atlantic. An area of low pressure located about 900 miles northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands has been producing a small but persistent area of showers and thunderstorms, but no further development is expected.
While pre-season storms are not unheard of, they are considered fairly rare -- occurring on average every 4-5 years. The last May tropical system was Tropical Storm Alberto which formed on May 19, 2012.
The earliest recorded tropical system to form pre-season was January 3, 1938. It became a full-fledged hurricane.
The moral of the story is to be aware that Mother Nature does not go by a calendar. Also, be aware that being some 250 miles and more than four hours from the Gulf Coast gives us little protection from the impacts of inland moving tropical weather here in West Alabama
Hurricanes have been known to hold together all the way through the state bringing damaging winds, torrential rains and flooding as well as quick spin-up tornadoes to our area.
Colorado State University already has, and NOAA is expected to soon forecast a significant, above average hurricane season.
We will chat more about tropical weather as we move toward the calendar beginning of the 2024 season.
The Forecast:
Topping the News:
Next month workers at the Vance Mercedes Benz plant will vote on joining the United Auto Workers Union. The push for and against the union is ongoing and the intensity will only increase as the vote approaches.
Gov. Ivey has yet again restated her opposition to the UAW organizing Mercedes and the state's other non-union auto plants. In a written statement Ivey claimed the union is not interested in what is best for Alabama workers and is more interested in getting Alabama worker's money into the UAW bank account.
Alabama has declined to participate in the summer feeding program for children with food insecurity, but the Tuscaloosa City School System will. TCS will provide breakfast and lunch during the summer at sites and times to be announced later.
City of Centreville Water department crews spent last night repairing a water leak in the Bibb County system. The leak impacted residents along Highway 25 between Gary Springs Road and Riverbend Road.
A second bond hearing for former Crimson Tide Basketball player Darius Miles resulting from the January 2023 fatal shooting of a young woman was scheduled for yesterday afternoon. It has now been delayed until June17.
A multi-vehicle crash on Lurleen Wallace Boulevard near Embassy Suites closed down the roadway for some time last night.
Huff publicly battled and beat cancer, and in her retirement announcement, thanked viewer for offering “words of encouragement.”
Her retirement is effective May 24.
The No. 18 Alabama baseball team will be in Oxford tonight through Saturday for a series with Ole Miss. The first two matchups in Oxford are slated for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch followed by a 2 p.m. start in the finale. Games one and three will be broadcast nationally, first on ESPNU for Thursday followed by SEC Network on Saturday. The Friday contest is set to air on SEC Network+ and the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
The Tennessee Lady Vols (35-8, 14-4 SEC) will be in T-Town this weekend for the "Power of Pin" softball series with Alabama (32-12, 11-7 SEC). Friday and Saturday game begin at 6:00p.m. and Sunday's game will have a 1:00p.m. first pitch.
From UA Athletics: The Alabama women's golf team was one of 12 teams selected to compete in the 2024 NCAA Women's Golf Regionals, announced Wednesday afternoon. The Crimson Tide earned the No. 7 seed in the Cle Elum Regional in Cle Elum, Wash. which will take place at the par 72, 6,306-yard Tumble Creek Club, from May 6-8.With this year's selection, the Crimson Tide will make its 18th consecutive regional appearance under head coach Mic Potter and its 25th appearance in the event overall.
Have a thrilling Thursday and ROLL TIDE!!!