Very Cold Air Arrives Later This Week

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NICE WARM-UP TODAY: We are starting off this day with sub-freezing temperatures across parts of North Alabama… some of the colder readings at daybreak:

Black Creek (just northeast of Gadsden) 27
Gadsden 28
Russellville 30
Haleyville 30
Cullman 31
Concord 31
Sycamore 31
Montevallo 32
Fort Payne 32

Despite the frosty start, the dry air in place will heat very effectively, and we project a high around 70 today with a good supply of sunshine.

Low 70s are a good possibility tomorrow, and that should be our warmest day for at least the next two weeks, so enjoy it. The sky will be partly sunny, although clouds will begin to thicken late in the day.

A FEW SPRINKLES: We will mention the chance of a little scattered light rain tomorrow night or very early Wednesday morning ahead of the Arctic front, but many places won’t get enough rain to measure due to limited moisture. If you are lucky you might see 0.05″.

COLDEST AIR SO FAR: The big cool down begins Wednesday as strong north winds develop over the state. The gradient will be tight; out friends up across the Tennessee Valley won’t get out of the 40s; places like Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, and Gadsden will see low to mid 50s, but the wind will make it feel colder. Clouds will also linger much of the day, with only a limited amount of sun Wednesday.

Our coldest days will come on Thursday and Friday; with highs in the 40s, and lows in the 20s. The coldest morning should come early Friday, with a low between 23 and 27 for North/Central Alabama… easily the coldest air we have seen so far this season. These two days will be dry with a sunny sky.

OUR WEEKEND: Another very cold morning Saturday with lows in the 20s, but we warm into the low 50s Saturday afternoon with a good supply of sunshine. Clouds move in Saturday night, and a cold rain looks like Sunday statewide as low pressure moves along the Gulf Coast. This sure looks like a beneficial rain for the state, with amounts over 1/2 inch likely.

To the north, our friends in Tennessee and Kentucky might be dealing with some winter precipitation, but that mischief should not impact Alabama at all… just rain down here. Take some time to watch the Weather Xtreme video for the maps, graphics, and details.

FOOTBALL WEATHER: For the high school playoff games Friday night, we project a kickoff temperature around 40 degrees, then falling through the 30s during the games. Needless to say, you will need to bundle up. The sky will be clear.

The biggest college game in the country will be in Tuscaloosa Saturday as Mississippi State comes to town to take on Alabama. If you are planning on being with the ESPN GameDay crew, early morning temperatures will be in the upper 20s, rising through the 30s, and reaching the 40s by late morning. The kickoff temperature (2:30p CT) will be close to 52 degrees with a partly sunny sky, but as the sun goes down temperatures will drop quickly into the 40s during the second half.

Auburn will be over in Athens, GA to take on the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday evening (6:15p CT kickoff)… expect a party cloudy sky with a temperature near 46 degrees at kickoff, then dropping slowly through the 40s during the game.

And, a big game for UAB Saturday as they host Marshall at Birmingham’s Legion Field (1:00p CT kickoff)… a partly sunny sky at kickoff with about 50 degrees, but temperatures will fall into the 40s by the fourth quarter as the sun goes down.

LONG RANGE: Temperatures are expected to remain below average for the U.S. east of the Rockies through November 23…

Some evidence the pattern relaxes late in the month.

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. We will produce this week’s show tonight at 8:30 CT… you can watch it on “James Spann 24/7” on cable systems around the state, or on the web here.

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I will be doing a weather program this morning at East Elementary in Cullman… be looking for the next Weather Xtreme video here by 4:00 this afternoon. Enjoy the day…

Tags: warmer

Category: Alabama's Weather