| The Hazardous Weather Outlook issued three times daily by the Warning and Forecast Office in Birmingham, AL, is intended to provide plain language information on weather phenomena that are considered hazards. The Hazardous Weather Outlook is a planning tool for anyone interested in the weather problem of the day. The threshold is the potential for a particular weather phenomena to require an outlook, watch, warning, or advisory from the National Weather Service.
Convective Weather - Severe thunderstorms capable of producing three-quarter inch or larger hail, damaging winds (wind speeds 58 mph or higher), and tornadoes will be discussed in the HWO. In addition, strong thunderstorms capable of producing hail, wind gusts of 35 to 57 mph, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning will also be discussed. When conditions are favorable for localized microbursts (pulse summertime storms - defined below), information regarding this type of thunderstorm will also be included.
- Microburst - A convective downdraft with an affected outflow area of less than 2½ miles wide and peak winds lasting less than 5 minutes. Microbursts may induce dangerous horizontal/vertical wind shears, which can adversely affect aircraft performance and cause property damage. Winds gusts can exceed 80 MPH.
Wet Microburst - A microburst accompanied by heavy rain at the surface. A rain foot (like Aladdin's shoe) may be a visible sign of a wet microburst.
Winter Weather - Snow, freezing rain, sleet, or a mixture of these weather phenomena that may lead to a winter weather outlook, winter storm watch, winter storm warning, or winter weather advisory will be included.
Non Precipitation - Weather hazards such as strong winds, excessive heat or cold, and dense fog will be included in the HWO.
Fire Weather - Extremely dry and windy conditions that result in high fire danger situations will be included.
Flooding - Flood hazards such as minor flooding, flash flooding, and long duration river flooding will be in the HWO.
Non-hazardous Weather - Non-hazardous weather phenomena will not routinely be discussed in the HWO. These weather phenomena do not require the issuance of an outlook, watch, warning, or advisory. Examples include widespread rain where flooding is not expected, general thunderstorms, showers, 20 mph winds, fog where visibilities are 1 mile or greater, light snow resulting in little or no accumulation, etc. |
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National Weather Service Forecast Office
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