Birmingham Weather (Carolina: house, neighborhood, school)

[valentine1110]

What is the weather like throughout the year in Birmingham, visited around 2 weeks ago and lots of rain and when I look at the weather.com, looks like the rain is still going on. Is rain typical for the late summer? What are your springs, winters and fall like?

[hlsess]

we have great weather- rain and storms in the late afternoon is summer is typical all over southeast. Fall and spring are nice- winters have been warmer each year-

[cpg35223]

Really, there are two hot months out of the year: July and August. September is warm but manageable. October and November are great (Getting a little rainy towards Thanksgiving), and December alternates between being cold and mild.

January and February are really the two cold months. Of course, course, cold is a relative thing, depending on where you're from. Average high temperature for January is in the low 50s (I think). That being said, you can get some really cold snaps, depending how far South the Alberta Clipper gets.

We have not had much snow of late. This year, we actually got a half-inch. Before that, we had gone seven years without appreciable snowfall. In typical weather patterns, we get snow every two or three years. On the downside, if we get a big snow, we do get lots of power outages. And in 1993, I had two feet outside my front door. You can only imagine the chaos that broke out. So snow days in Birmingham are like some floating holiday. Everybody gets liquored up with the neighbors, stays warm inside, and the maternity wards fill up about 40 weeks later.

Spring is March, April, May, and most of June. It's pretty much heaven on earth.

As far as major storms, a hurricane will come barreling up through the Gulf every two or three years, but usually they weaken a great deal before reaching Birmingham, sparing us major problems. Tornados are not unusual from November through mid-May. Your vulnerability will depend on what side of town you're on. Most of the twisters hit in the western suburbs and north of town. In my memory, only two have hit the southern part of town. Don't ask me why it's that way. It just is.

Rain is typically 50-60 inches a year, although we had a bad drought in 2006-7. It's just now getting back to normal precipitation here.

[AnyDayNow]

We actually could use more rain. Maybe you got "lucky" (depending on your point of view) and were in that one area that gets the rain, the one that always skips my neighborhood.

It's the humidity that will get you here. Dripping wet with sweat after stepping outside of the house on some days. But it's beautiful with all the hills and when the leaves turn in the fall.....well, that is my favorite time of year. Spring with all its promise and greenery is a close second, but fall is my favorite.

[matt8325]

June, July, and August are typically very hot. I think July is probably the rainiest summer month. September, October, November tend to be mild and sunny with little rain. December, January, February can get very cold, but there can also be alot of mild days as well. And usually there is alot of rain in the winter with an occasional light snowfall.March, April, May tend to be alot like the fall, except more rain. It can be stormy one day, and beautiful the next.

[valentine1110]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Really, there are two hot months out of the year: July and August. September is warm but manageable. October and November are great (Getting a little rainy towards Thanksgiving), and December alternates between being cold and mild.

January and February are really the two cold months. Of course, course, cold is a relative thing, depending on where you're from. Average high temperature for January is in the low 50s (I think). That being said, you can get some really cold snaps, depending how far South the Alberta Clipper gets.

We have not had much snow of late. This year, we actually got a half-inch. Before that, we had gone seven years without appreciable snowfall. In typical weather patterns, we get snow every two or three years. On the downside, if we get a big snow, we do get lots of power outages. And in 1993, I had two feet outside my front door. You can only imagine the chaos that broke out. So snow days in Birmingham are like some floating holiday. Everybody gets liquored up with the neighbors, stays warm inside, and the maternity wards fill up about 40 weeks later.

Spring is March, April, May, and most of June. It's pretty much heaven on earth.

As far as major storms, a hurricane will come barreling up through the Gulf every two or three years, but usually they weaken a great deal before reaching Birmingham, sparing us major problems. Tornados are not unusual from November through mid-May. Your vulnerability will depend on what side of town you're on. Most of the twisters hit in the western suburbs and north of town. In my memory, only two have hit the southern part of town. Don't ask me why it's that way. It just is.

Rain is typically 50-60 inches a year, although we had a bad drought in 2006-7. It's just now getting back to normal precipitation here.

Sounds great and what I am use to. I am originally from South Carolina and living in Texas. I was a little concerned since the weekend was very dreary and my aunt attended school in Birmingham in the 50's and told me that then they called it the "Smokey City"....thanks for the input

[valentine1110]

Thanks guys...that's a relief. My husband is from Washington State and when I was visiting Birmingham it was looking a little like Washington with the clouds and the rain...I am sure the falls are beautiful with all the trees and hills, unlike Dallas that has like 1 tree, LOL

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by valentine1110

Sounds great and what I am use to. I am originally from South Carolina and living in Texas. I was a little concerned since the weekend was very dreary and my aunt attended school in Birmingham in the 50's and told me that then they called it the "Smokey City"....thanks for the input

Oh, those days are long gone. Birmingham used to have particulate counts in the 500s and even 600s before all the pollution controls. Now, a bad day is when the particulate count is around 50. Of course, in the summer, the air inversion is more prone to trapping smog.