Annular Eclipse Set For Sunday

For the first time since May 10, 1994 here in the United States, we will be honored in seeing an Annular Eclipse. Just like most of these events, the moon will be passing between the Earth and the Sun, blocking light and reducing visibility for a time. However, this event is different and special in its own way.

This go around, the moon will appear slightly smaller that the sun and move directly over the center of its glow. Therefore, at the peak of the eclipse, that will only last as long as 5 minutes in some locations, the moon will block most of the sun, looking like a black hole with an annulus (ring) of light around it.

Areas from Japan and Taiwan to the west coast of the United States will be able to see this amazing phenomenon Sunday May 20th. However, due to the motion of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, there will only be limited locations that align with this event.

A strip from Medford, Oregon to Midland and Lubbock Texas will be grazed Sunday evening with this most spectacular treat from outer space. Here in the Brazos Valley, unfortunately the sun will set before the Sun and Moon line up to generate the eclipse. However, if you drive out to west Texas, you will be able to see the eclipse in its full glory in Midland at 8:36pm this Sunday, or in Lubbock at 8:33pm.

I hope you are able to enjoy this once in a blue moon occasion.


For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/KAGSweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews.

Aletta: First Tropical Storm Of The Season

There she is....Aletta, the first Tropical Storm of the 2012 season for the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Basin. Aletta continues to swirl this afternoon in the Eastern Pacific, well west of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 40mph, with gusts to 50mph.

Aletta will not impact land, in fact this storm will weaken significantly over the next 24 hours and likely become a tropical depression.

Despite this storm not being anything note worthy in terms of its strength, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Fort Worth came out with this statement about Aletta earlier this afternoon which is something you can use around the watercooler: "The formation of Tropical Storm Aletta today in the eastern Pacific ends a 41-day streak without a tropical storm anywhere in the world. According to the U.K. Met Office, the 41-day period is the longest span without a tropical storm in at least 70 years. The last time there were as many as 38 consecutive storm-less days was in 1944. Prior to Aletta, the last tropical storm on the planet was Tropical Storm Daphne in the South Pacific, which dissipated April 3, 2012. (April is usually is the quietest month globally for tropical cyclones.)"

Interesting isn't it. Also, know that we are transitioning into an El Nino phase which typically denotes a "quieter" tropical season compared to normal. Nonetheless, I will keep my eye on the tropics this summer.

Again, this storm formed in the Pacific Ocean, if you are interested in the names for the tropical storms/hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin, check out the following image.

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/KAGSweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews.

Early Week Splash, Late Week Fun In The Sun

For the middle of May in this part of the country that can get very humid and hot this time of year, Mother's Day Weekend was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. Temperatures remained in the low 80's, humidity was very low and despite some clouds around, there was a whole lot of sun.

Since, the sun has faded behind cloud cover early this week as we introduce a few showers tonight and tomorrow. As of this afternoon, there have been some areas, especially to our north and west that have seen some splash n' dash showers.

Several of the cells are dropping heavy rain along I-35, with some very light showers here. None of these storms are severe, but there are some severe storms this afternoon in West Texas, especially around Big Bend.

Just like last week, this activity is driven by energy in the upper levels of the atmosphere. There are no cold fronts or warm fronts involved here, just pure spin and lift from the upper levels. In the following image, you can see where the most intense forcing is at the 500 millibar level (or 18,000 feet above the surface).

Note the yellow area with an X in West Texas. This shows you where the upper level energy is. Ahead of this area is where you get the best lift and dynamics to generate thunderstorms. Where ever this moves dictates who has the best chance for seeing wet weather tonight and tomorrow. Most of the computer models I looked at today show this energy moving to the south and southeast.

Therefore, locations such as San Antonio, Laredo, and McAllen have the best chance to experience wet weather. However, I cannot rule out the Brazos Valley from seeing a few storms tomorrow due to the proximity of this energy. Nonetheless, tomorrow will be a cloudy day and temperatures will be hard pressed to get out of the 70s.

Overall, expect the sky to remain cloudy tonight and most of tomorrow. Several light showers will be around tonight, but not everyone will have wet weather. By tomorrow, as this upper level energy comes a bit closer, a few thunderstorms will pop up in the afternoon. None should be severe, but they can produce some heavy rainfall in localized areas. Keep the umbrella handy for now and tomorrow. The end of the week will be much drier with a TON of SUN.

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/KAGSweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews.

Big Storm By Weeks End

For a time this month, the temperatures were quite warm and the humidity was oppressive. However, the tides have turned and the weather pattern turned MUCH cooler with added storminess allowing more rain to fall. Remember, all of April, only 0.57" of rain fell at Easterwood Airport. So far in the early part of May, 0.67" fell with a whole lot more to come this weekend. Note: Around Hearne and even portions of southern Grimes County, over 2.00" of rain has been reported this month.

Today and early tomorrow will be out "break" before another significant rain event strikes the Brazos Valley. Over the last few days, I have keep a sharp eye on a piece of upper level energy that has been swirling around the Desert Southwest and the northwest corner of Mexico.

The above map displays current spin at the 500 millibar level (18,000 feet above the surface). Notice the enclosed area with yellow contours around northwest Mexico and southern Arizona. That energy will be the focus for developing widespread rain and thunderstorms all across Texas beginning tonight and lasting though late Saturday.

By Thursday evening, the area with the most dynamic spin and lift (marked with the X in west Texas) will take all the moisture in the low level and rise it rapidly into the atmosphere. This will spawn intense downpours from El Paso to San Antonio and eventually here in the Brazos Valley. The track of this upper level energy is important because where this move will dictate where the highest rates of precipitation will fall. If this energy moves east and towards the Brazos Valley, we will get hit hard. On the other hand, if the energy moves well north or well south of us, we will still see rain, but not as much.

At the moment, the way the computer models are lining up, we should have at least 1.00" of rain area wide with isolated locations receiving 2"-3".

Due to the intensity of rainfall expected, the National Weather Service (NWS) has already issued a Flash Flood Watch for areas just to our southwest for Thursday though Friday.

This type of watch is for quick flooding due to rainfall intensity as opposed to a long duration rain event that could last for days and create week long flooding. Due to the dynamics of the upper level energy, it will rain so hard at times, you may not even be able to see several feet in front of you.

A Flash Flood Watch has not been posted for our area yet, but I would not be surprised if the NWS extends this area for us and especially towards Houston.

If you are curious, here is a look at what one of the computer models predicts for total rainfall from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon.

Its a lot of rain with a majority of this falling Friday. As far as severe weather, I cant foresee much. There will be gusty winds at times, lightning and maybe an isolated weak tornado, but nothing significant. The main story for us will be rainfall and possible flooding.

Again, the timing will go like this. Several showers breakout late Thursday and becoming more numerous by Friday. Friday will be the main show with periods of very heavy rain tapering to light showers early Saturday. Sunday, we are dry.

The timing and rainfall amounts are subject to change, but that's how it looks at the moment.

Severe Weather Threat Tonight

From the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), in Norman, OK, the entire Brazos Valley is under a slight risk of severe weather this evening and into the overnight hours. Large storms have already blossomed in West Texas and will move in our direction though out the evening. This risk for severe weather is mainly for gusty winds, large hail and torrential rainfall. As far as tornadoes, there is a minimal to no risk. There is plenty of energy in the atmosphere to create large storms, but barley and shear (change in wind speed and direction with height) to significantly rotate thunderstorms. This is why the tornado risk is so small.

As of earlier this afternoon, a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH was issued by the SPC for central Texas, including Milam and Lee counties until 11PM

Based on the activity in west Texas that is moving closer to us, I would not be surprised if this Watch were to be extended later tonight and covered the entire viewing area.

Check out the latest image from Max Storm with the intense activity in the Concho Valley that is moving closer to I-35.

Already, strong winds in excess of 60mph has been reported with this complex as well as hail close to golf ball sized. This entire area is slowly moving closer to us. What will happen is that some of these thunderstorms will dies off, but the energy that comes from the dying storms will help to ignite new ones. Therefore, I will keep a close eye on this complex the entire evening to see what exactly pans out.

There is plenty of energy to generate large storms here, but we need an element that will lift the air and bubble up thunderstorms. One, we can use the energy from dying storms (called an outflow boundary, or a mini cold front), or we can use a large scale cold front that sits to our north.

No matter where the energy comes from, there are two different ways we can create the storms and this is why we have a good chance of seeing rain tonight and some strong storms.

As of right now, the timing seems to be from 8PM to 12AM tonight in which we have the highest threat of experiencing violent thunderstorms in the Brazos Valley. Again, the main threats will be large hail, heavy rain and a ton of lightning.

The cold front you see above will pass by the area by tomorrow, which yes will send in much COOLER air and decrease the humidity.

A threat for a shower is not out of the question tomorrow, but we will not drip in sweat like today or this past weekend. Plus, another wave on energy will cross into Mexico and be here by Friday to help add in another good shot at widespread rainfall.

Note the enclosed circle over the Baha of California and into southern Arizona. This is the upper level energy that I will watch this week that will spell more rain for us.

The more rain the better, and it will be much cooler too right though the weekend.

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/KAGSweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews.

Supermoon on Saturday

On Saturday night you will notice a vibrant glow from the moon. That is because this moon will be the closest to Earth during the 2012 year. The Supermoon is what the largest and brightest moon of the year is called, and the good news for the Brazos Valley is that the weather will cooperate.

Tomorrow night, the moon will be about 221,802 miles away from Earth, which is 15,300 miles closer than normal. Therefore, the full moon will appear slightly larger (by 14%), along with a brighter glow. However, the Supermoon that occurred last year was 240 miles closer, but nonetheless it will be a wonderful sight to see. You may not even notice the small difference in growth, but it will be there in the sky lighting up the night.

Due to the proximity, the Moon will only affect the Earth minimally. Some are worried that since this moon is 15,300 miles closer, then earthquakes and tsunamis will take place.....this will not happen. All the Moon will do is affect the tides. During the period from Saturday night though Sunday morning, tides will be at their highest and lowest of the year.

Tips:
For the best view and pictures, make sure to catch the moon as it rises just above the horizon. An illusion will make the moon appear much larger than it really is. Plus, it will be the brightest around 10:35pm CT.

Overall, enjoy this treat in the sky.

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/KAGSweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews.