Learning About AI

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

This week we feature a bit of Artificial intelligence.

What is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy. Applications and devices equipped with AI can see and identify objects. They can understand and respond to human language. They can learn from new information and experience. They can make detailed recommendations to users and experts. They can act independently, replacing the need for human intelligence or intervention (a classic example being a self-driving car).

If you have a Windows based PC, you probably have access to their AI program. Specifically, for this story, I utilized Microsoft 365 Copilot — your copilot for work. It combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet.

Winter officially began on December 21 and winter is the season for snow. I decided to use AI to check on the history of snow in Huntsville, Alabama, and got the following information:

Huntsville, Alabama, has experienced some memorable snowfalls over the years! Here are some highlights:

Most Snow in a Single Year: The record for the most snowfall in a single year was set in 1963, with 24.0 inches of snow.

Snowiest Winter Season: The snowiest winter season on record occurred during 1963-1964, with a total of 24.1 inches of snow.

Earliest Snowfall: The earliest recorded snowfall of one inch or greater happened on November 2, 1966, with 4.0 inches of snow.

Latest Snowfall: The latest recorded snowfall of one inch or greater was on March 22, 1966, with 2.1 inches of snow.

Most Recent Snowfall: The most recent snowfall of one inch or greater was on March 15, 2015, with 1.0 inch of snow.

I also asked about Christmas in Huntsville, with the following results:

Christmas in Huntsville, Alabama, is a festive and magical time with plenty of events and activities for everyone to enjoy! Here are some highlights:

Galaxy of Lights: Held at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, this winter light extravaganza features thousands of twinkling lights and animated displays. You can enjoy the lights during Walking Nights, Driving Nights, and even Dog Walking Nights2.

Christmas Light Show & Winter Wonderland: At Toyota Field, guests can drive through a 1.5-mile display of brilliant Christmas lights. The show is synchronized to music and runs from November 22 to December 292.

Skating in the Park: Head downtown to the Huntsville Museum of Art for outdoor ice skating. It's a fun way to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends2.

Bridge Street Town Centre: Enjoy live music, choral singing, holiday characters, and giveaways. The highlight is the lighting of a 45-foot Christmas tree2.

Downtown Huntsville Tinsel Trail: Stroll through Big Spring International Park and enjoy a festive forest of live Christmas trees decorated by individuals, non-profits, and corporations.

Miracle at MidCity: This event at The Camp offers a special menu of Christmas-themed cocktails, food specials, holiday music, and festive décor.

Dickens Christmas Fair: Held at the 701 Amphitheater Drive NW, this fair brings the spirit of Charles Dickens' stories to life with holiday crafts, food, and entertainment.

Christmas Trivia Night: Test your knowledge of Christmas facts and win prizes at various venues around Huntsville.

These are just a few of the many ways to celebrate Christmas in Huntsville. Whether you're looking for family fun, festive lights, or holiday shopping, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Again, I remind you that this is the information that the Copilot AI reported about the subjects. 

The Wayback Machine

Snow In Huntsville

I could not find a news clip about the record snow of 1963-64, but did find this one on Youtube from Bessemer about the same snowstorm. I also found this story about that event.

New Year’s Eve snow shocked city back in ’63

From the Huntsville Times on December 31, 2003

By John Anderson, Times Staff Writer

Forty years ago this morning North Alabama partygoers-to-be woke up to a typical National Weather Service forecast for early winter here: cold rain throughout the day, possibly mixed with sleet.

It was not a forecast for the ages.

About noon the rain turned into snow as cold air slid farther south than expected. By the stroke of midnight 12 hours later, 15.3 inches of snow smothered the city. That’s the most snow ever recorded here by the weather service, which opened its Huntsville office in 1958.

But even old-timers said then the New Year Eve’s snowstorm was the worst since 1899.

It snowed so much that Huntsville had the dubious distinction of recording the most snow of any weather service station in the continental United States that last day of 1963.

“Huntsville Crowned Nation’s Top Snow-Getter for New Year,” The Times headline proclaimed New Year’s Day, 1964. Another two inches or so fell after midnight, bringing the total snowfall in this part of the Heart of Dixie to over 1.5 feet.

The result? Bedlam.

In a town that goes nuts when a dusting falls, a Times reporter described Huntsville as a “paralyzed, helpless city.”

“Traffic jams involving thousands of cars backed up on Memorial Parkway and other major and side streets as the wintry blast reached its peak last night. Hundreds of vehicles were abandoned and still stranded today,” the reporter wrote.

Another Times story reported that the Civil Defense revived a man found unconscious as his car’s motor continued running after he plowed into a snow bank on U.S. 431 near Big Cove School late New Year’s Eve, and police rescued a family of seven – including five children – stranded in their car on Leeman Ferry Road.

The snow was so heavy it squashed shrubs and tore awnings off store fronts.

So impressive was the storm, John Gordon, chief weather service meteorologist in Huntsville, is gathering as much data about it as he can to help train his staff on the rare, but always possible, mega-winter storms in North Alabama. He’s even asking anyone with photos of the snowstorms to e-mail them to the local weather service’s Web site.

“We’re going to do a case study,” Gordon said Tuesday afternoon. “We’re using it as a learning tool.”

Gordon said the ’63 New Year’s Eve storm vividly rebuts the misconception that North Alabama’s severe weather consists only of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding. “Everyone thinks that Huntsville is just tornado alley, that we don’t get any (severe) winter weather. That’s nonsense,” he said.

Gordon also warned that the last few mild winters shouldn’t lull residents into believing it’s just one six-week cold rain from Christmas until daffodils begin blooming by Valentine’s Day. “We’ve been very fortunate,” he said, “but it’s going to happen again.”

Next week's issue will be the last one of this year. I would like to try to make it interesting by posting some stories from you classmates. Specifically, what do you remember about the snowstorm of New Year's Eve of 1963? What impact did it have on your plans? Please use the form below to share your stories.

Last Week's Questions, Answers, And Comments

Delores Kilgore, "Love it."