Ben Smith
WHNT
Huntsville, AL, United States
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Past articles by Ben:
Strong To Severe Storms Possible This Week
Valentine’s Day is going to bring some windy conditions but the threat of strong to severe storms will increase from Wednesday into Thursday. Let’s first start with Tuesday. The wind will be sustained between 10-20 mph during the afternoon. These sustained winds will then increase to 20-30 mph after sunset. During that time, period gusts […] → Read More
Tornado Watch Until 1PM For the Tennessee Valley
A *TORNADO WATCH* is in effect for the Tennessee Valley until 1 pm. TORNADO WATCH 17 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 PM CST FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS ALABAMA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE BIBB BLOUNT CALHOUN CHEROKEE CHILTON COLBERT COOSA CULLMAN DEKALB ETOWAH FAYETTE FRANKLIN GREENE HALE JACKSON JEFFERSON LAMAR LAUDERDALE LAWRENCE LIMESTONE MADISON MARION MARSHALL MORGAN […] → Read More
Stronger Storms Possible Thursday
The next storm system arrives on Thursday morning with rain and strong storms across the Tennessee Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has most of the area under a *SLIGHT RISK* (Level 2 of 5) for severe storms. The main threat would be damaging winds on Thursday. Futurecast shows the main line coming through in the […] → Read More
Tornado Watch Canceled
The *TORNADO WATCH* for the Tennessee Valley has been canceled. Rain and possible storms are in the forecast through daybreak. After that, we are free from storms the rest of the week. Expect a cooler and drier forecast ahead! Futurecast showing things drying out nicely! → Read More
**Wind Chill Watch** Thursday Night Through Saturday
The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a *WIND CHILL WATCH* for the Tennessee Valley starting Thursday evening lasting through Saturday morning. Arctic air takes over the area late Thursday bringing temperatures down to a dangerously cold level. Seriously consider limiting your time outside Thursday night through Saturday. Here is the text from the […] → Read More
Nicole Strengthens To A Hurricane – Impacts To Tennessee Valley
Nicole strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday evening while making landfall on Grand Bahama Island. This storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph as of the 5 p.m. advisory and continues to track west at 12 mph. Nicole is forecast to make landfall in Florida late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. After making landfall […] → Read More
After Wind & Heavy Rain, Our Weather Pattern Quiets Down For Now
We ended up with lots of wind, but no warnings across the Tennessee Valley Tuesday. Here are a few storm reports from Tuesday. Here are a few reports from the National Weather Service: hunchat 2022/10/25 3:39 PM nwsbot HUN: Not Confirmed/Preliminary Spotter Report — from Samuel Camp (via spotternetwork.org) @ 20:39 UTC — (S) Flood […] → Read More
Much Need Rain – Drier Forecast Ahead
We needed rain and finally received some! Almost an inch and a half fell at Huntsville International Airport and over an inch in the Shoals. This was the first time this month with measurable rainfall. The forecast looks great for Thursday afternoon. Highs reach the lower to middle 70s with a clearing sky. The next […] → Read More
Strong To Severe Storms Possible For Late Wednesday Into Wednesday Night
We go from from no rain to the potential for severe storms across the Tennessee Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has northwest Alabama under a *SLIGHT RISK* (Level 2/5) for severe storms late Wednesday evening into the overnight. Gusty winds, hail, and possible tornadoes will be the main threats. Futurecast has strong to severe storms […] → Read More
Strong Tropical Wave In the Southern Gulf Of Mexico
We are a month past the peak of hurricane season and there is one strong wave to watch. This one is in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Right now the National Hurricane Center gives this a medium chance (60%) of development over the next five days. The track could take it into mainland Mexico and leave the northern gulf alone. We will keep you posted! The next name on the list is Karl! → Read More
Tropical Depression #11 Forms In the Open Atlantic – No Threat To Land
The eleventh tropical depression formed Wednesday morning. This system is no threat to land. The track takes it northwest over the open Atlantic Ocean in the next few days. Don’t worry about this one! → Read More
Tropical Depression #9 Forms In Caribbean Sea
We have a new tropical depression Friday morning. This system strengthens into a tropical storm shortly. Models have it moving across the Caribbean and closer to Florida by the middle of next week. Here is the track from the National Hurricane Center: On this track, there will be limited impact along our gulf coast. Some high surf and breezy conditions would be it. Stay tuned for further updates! → Read More
Some High School Games Moved To Thursday Night Because Of the Weather
Futurecast shows a drier scenario across the Tennessee Valley during the day Thursday into Thursday night. With that, some games will be played a night early. Rain chances during the day are only around 20% with lower chances during the evening. Here is a look at your Thursday evening forecast for high school football: Wetter […] → Read More
September Arrives Thursday – What To Expect
September historically is the month where we make the transition from summer’s heat to a hint of fall. The exception was 2019 where we didn’t see highs in the 70s until October 7. On average, we will see our first fall-like cold front around the middle of the month. This will knock our humidity way […] → Read More
Look For A More Active Tropical Atlantic in August
We haven’t talked much about the tropics in 2022. We’ve only had three named tropical storms as of August 1. That will change in a hurry this month. Historically we get multiple tropical storms in the month of August along with our fair share of hurricanes. We can go from nothing to several storms in […] → Read More
Strong Storms Possible On Thursday
We need to pay attention to the radar during the day on Thursday. During the afternoon and evening, heavy storms are possible across parts of the Tennessee Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has a *MARGINAL RISK* (Level 1) of severe weather for the southern part of our viewing audience. The greater risk will be across […] → Read More
Flash Flood Warning Now In Effect Until 12:15 pm Tuesday
Heavy storms moved through the Tennessee Valley Tuesday morning prompting a *FLASH FLOOD WARNING* for southern DeKalb County and eastern Marshall County until 12:15 pm. Radar estimates have over two inches in parts of the county and flash flooding is possible! Here is a look at some of the radar estimates: Here is the text […] → Read More
**Excessive Heat Warning** For Parts Of the Tennessee Valley Through Friday
Parts of the Tennessee Valley are under an **EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING** through Friday. It includes Madison, Limestone, Lauderdale, and Colbert Counties in Alabama. In Tennessee, Moore and Lincoln Counties points west along US 64. We are used to Heat Advisories, but what is an excessive heat warning. Honestly, it’s just another level of heat. It’s […] → Read More
Pattern Shift Ahead – Hotter Temperatures Coming Next Week!
It’s only been in the 90s eight times so far in 2022, with the highest temperature of 93° on June 1. That’s about to change! → Read More
Next Chance Of Strong Storms: Thursday
A cold front approaches the region later this week, leading to an increased chance of showers and storms by Thursday. The latest data shows the front approaching the region by Thursday morning, with scattered showers and storms through early to mid-afternoon. Strong thunderstorms will be possible along with an isolated severe storm. The Storm Prediction […] → Read More