Alabama 811 | Know What's Below.

Raw, Cold Day Ahead

| April 15, 2014 @ 6:16 am

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MORE LIKE JANUARY: This won’t be a “Chamber of Commerce” kind of day around here as strong north winds of 15-30 mph usher in much colder air. Places like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Anniston will struggle to reach the low to mid 50s today, and many communities to the north of these cities won’t get out of the 40s.

We begin the day with clouds and some drizzle; we will forecast gradual clearing this afternoon. But, it will be a raw day.

FREEZE WARNING TONIGHT: Most of Alabama is under a freeze warning for late tonight and early tomorrow. Not much change in our thinking; the sky will become clear tonight and the wind will die down, setting up a late season freeze.

The range tomorrow morning for most communities will be from around 25 to 35 degrees. The colder readings will be in valleys; some ridge tops will avoid a freeze with mid 30s, but even there frost is likely. It is possible some of the coldest places (like Black Creek and Valley Head) will reach the low 20s.

Most places across North/Central Alabama will be below freezing for about 3 to 4 hours. And, the record low for Birmingham tomorrow (April 16) of 32, set in 1983, is very much in danger. Growers will need to protect all tender plants and vegetation tonight.

On the positive side, it is likely this is the last freeze threat of the season around here.

A warming trend begins tomorrow afternoon with a sunny sky as we rise into the mid 60s, and upper 60s are likely Thursday.

FRIDAY AND THE WEEKEND: We will bring in the chance of rain showers statewide Friday. This won’t be a heavy rain event, and there won’t be any severe weather, but confidence is high there will be some rain at times during the day Friday, and possibly Friday night; Friday’s high will be around 70 degrees.

The news for the weekend is generally good. Both the GFS/ECMWF models are suggesting the chance of a shower Saturday is very small, and most places will be dry, and Sunday for now looks like a dry day with a decent amount of sun. Highs over the weekend will be in the mid 70s.

NEXT WEEK: Moisture levels rise and a few showers are possible Monday and Tuesday, but it doesn’t look like a big rain event. See the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and more details.

AT THE BEACH: Clearing today in the zone from Panama City over to Gulf Shores, but windy and cool with a high in the low 60s. Lots of sun tomorrow with a high in the upper 60s on the immediate coast. A few widely scattered showers are possible Thursday and Friday, then expect mostly sunny weather over the weekend. Highs Saturday and Sunday on the coast will be in the low 70s, with mid 70s inland.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR WEATHER RADIO? We will be at Academy Sports on Skyland Blvd in Tuscaloosa tomorrow from 3:30 until 6:30… we will program your weather radio, or be glad to answer questions if you have them.

WEATHER BRAINS: Don’t forget you can listen to our weekly 90 minute netcast anytime on the web, or on iTunes. This is the show all about weather featuring many familiar voices, including our meteorologists here at ABC 33/40. Scroll down for the show notes on the new episode we recorded last night.

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Busy day ahead… I have weather programs today at Paine Primary School in Trussville, and at Alexandria Elementary in Calhoun County. Look for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 or so this afternoon. Enjoy the day!

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Category: Alabama's Weather

About the Author ()

James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.

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