Safe From the Storm

Safe from the Storm: Remembering Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael will forever be remembered on the Gulf Coast. The Category 5 hurricane hit the Panama City, Florida, area in October 2018, bringing devastation that was experienced far inland, including in Alabama. Here is a look at what we’ve learned from that storm, from Alabama News Network Weather Authority Meteorologist Ben Lang. Categories: Safe From the Storm Tags: 2018…

Safe From The Storm: Lightning

There is a vast amount of technology at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.  They have a variety of ways they conduct research on severe weather and elaborate on how they can learn more about storm systems.  To find out more about how the university is using its instruments to measure lightning, Meteorologist Matt Breland traveled to the campus to…

Safe from the Storm: Storm Chasers

Storm chasing, it is a real thing, and each year hundreds if not thousands of people head to the U.S. Plains to do it. Meteorologist Ryan Stinnett  interview famed storm chaser, Accuweather Extreme Meteorologist Reed Timmer, who not only chases tornadoes, but is one of the few people who have purposely put themselves in the direct path of a tornado….

Safe from the Storm: Weather Balloon

Weather prediction is made possible in part by the use of weather balloons. Meteorologist Ben Lang traveled to one of the launch locations, in Birmingham to see a weather balloon launch first hand and find out the importance the data it collects. Categories: Safe From the Storm

Safe from the Storm-Doppler Radar

Like a beating heart always at work, radar sites across America keep watch of the sky to help keep us safe. Meteorologist Elissia Wilson looks at the ins and outs of a radar site that we use at Alabama News Network. Categories: Safe From the Storm

Preparing Storm Survival Kits

When preparing for severe weather, there are items that you do not want to forget. We stopped by Montgomery’s Home Depot to find out what those items are.  They are making it easy for people to find much needed items that are needed for any occasion. “You will need a flashlight, a weather radio, probably a rain jacket that we…

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Taking a Tour of a Storm Shelter

Storm shelters built inside your home can greatly increase your chances of surviving severe weather. A tornado doesn’t slow down or stop for anyone. It mows down homes, flips buildings over, and can destroy lives. If a tornado comes your way you need to get to a place that’s safe, like a storm shelter. “It’s not something that people think…

Homes on Alabama Coast in Danger?

Hurricane Season 2016 is underway.

Alabama Coastal damage from Frederic, 1979 The company CoreLogic is out with an annual ranking of states based on how many homes are at risk for damage from hurricanes and how serious the risk is. They rank Alabama 16th overall, with 4,880 buildings in extreme danger. The other properties are ranked as follows:   Extreme Danger        …

El Nino Effects

It seems no region of the U.S. is immune to extreme weather.   A driving force behind some it can be attributed to those warmer waters over the eastern Pacific just west of the South American continent. It’s referred to as El Nino and it’s affects can be felt globally. Winds blowing over those warmer waters are mechanism for heat…

The Social Media Dilemma

As operational meteorologists, we are dealing with an issue that won’t go away, and seems to be more problematic every year. Today I look at this problem known as the “The Social Media Dilemma.” We spend too much time we don’t have putting down wild rumors and insane forecasts. I leave this with you, for you the masses, check your…