ANOTHER COLD START: Temperatures are generally in the 25-35 degree range across Alabama early this morning, with sub-freezing readings for many areas. On the positive side, a warming trend begins this afternoon as temperatures rise into the low to mid 60s. Still below average, but moving in the right direction. The average high for Birmingham on March 21 is 69.
SUNNY, COOL AFTERNOON: Temperatures are mostly in the 47-55 degree range across Alabama with a good supply of sunshine through high, thin cirrus clouds. The average high for Birmingham on March 20 is 68. And, despite the fact that spring arrives this afternoon (the equinox comes at 4:24p CDT), another freeze is likely for much of the state tonight.
We have sunny skies across North and Central Alabama as we are making our way into the midday hour on this first day of Spring. However, these temperatures are giving us one last shot of Old Man Winter as we are only in the upper 30s to the to the upper 40s as of 11 am.
Today will be sunny with a high in the 55-60 degree range, followed by another clear, cold night. Lows tomorrow morning will be in the 27-37 degree range for most communities; colder spots will see yet another freeze.
Alabama is going to experience quite the warmup this week with 80s by Thursday and Friday. Beginning to monitor the severe weather threat for Friday across Alabama.
24 at Meridianville was the cold spot across North and Central Alabama early Sunday morning.
Freeze warnings are posted for all of North and Central Alabama for tonight and early Monday morning as the coldest air of this cold snap settles over Alabama.
At 11 am, skies were mainly clear across the northern 3/4ths of the area, but partly to mostly cloudy skies can be seen over the extreme southern parts of Central Alabama.
We’ll have a mix of sun & clouds today with cool temperatures, but sunny skies will not help out the even-cooler temperatures on Sunday.
RADAR CHECK: Rain is fairly widespread across Alabama this afternoon as a cold front continues to roll through the state. Stronger thunderstorms are pushing through the far southern counties and into the Florida Panhandle. Heavier storms there will be produce strong gusty winds and lots of lightning as they move through.
A cold front is pushing southeastward across Alabama this afternoon. A few strong to severe storms could impact South Alabama ahead of the front. Temperatures are falling behind the front and freezes are possible tonight and Saturday night.
RADAR CHECK: Rain is widespread over the northern half of Alabama early this morning… that rain will shift southward during the day ahead of a cold front. SPC maintains a “slight risk” (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms for the southern quarter of Alabama today, south of a line from Grove Hill to Greenville to Troy. A “marginal risk” (level 1/5) extends as far north as Sweetwater, Prattville, and Opelika.
PLEASANT MARCH AFTERNOON: As expected, temperatures are around 70 degrees this afternoon across Alabama with a partly to mostly sunny sky. Clouds thicken tonight ahead of a cold front.
Today is a much warmer day for the state, as highs surge into the upper 60s and lower 70s with strong southerly flow returning. Tonight, clouds return ahead of a cold front that will bring rain and storms to Alabama tomorrow.
James Spann
@spann
Our long time friend, mentor, and charter Weather Factory member, J.B. Elliott, passed away on May 11, 2015. Click HERE to read James' tribute.
